Do you bear in mind flipping by way of the Guinness World Information guide as a child? Marvelling at how the world’s quickest human compares to a cheetah, or how the tallest individual on Earth stood eye-to-eye with a giraffe? Again then, the data felt like a listing of probably the most unbelievable feats recognized to humankind. However currently, these data appear much less about jaw-dropping achievements and extra about sheer creativity—or, as some may argue, gimmicks.
Take, as an illustration, American operating influencer Pierce Showe. He’s at present chasing the report for probably the most consecutive days operating a half-marathon on a treadmill (125). Showe’s effort lately caught the eye of human efficiency consultants Steve Magness and Brady Holmer, who each criticized the corporate for recognizing the report within the first place.
Sharing Showe’s report try on X, Holmer wrote: “Hear. I hate to be that man, however I’m going to be for a second. We’ve gotta cease with these dumb data. Three months of averaging 13 miles (21 km) a day isn’t spectacular sufficient for any report. And it being on a treadmill doesn’t change that.”
Magness echoed Holmer: “This was known as highschool cross-country coaching for me and my buddies. Calling this a Guinness World Report is embarrassing.”
Hear.
I hate to be *that* man. However I’m going to be for a second.
We’ve gotta cease with these dumb ass data.
3 months of averaging 13 miles a day isn’t spectacular sufficient for any report. And it being on a treadmill doesn’t change that.
🤷🏻‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/EE1FcJ14Wd
— Brady Holmer (@B_Holmer) June 16, 2025
What are the requirements?
Getting a Guinness World Report isn’t as simple as I’ve made it sound. For operating data, particularly novelty ones like quickest marathon dressed as a fruit or superhero, there are strict costume tips and necessities. As well as, there must be an unbiased witness from the corporate and photograph or video proof of the report itself. That’s why so many data are tried at big-city marathons like London or Toronto: the occasions pay to have Guinness officers on-site and may present licensed outcomes and proof.
The corporate additionally maintains an monumental database of current data, and sure, they permit folks to suggest new ones. However even then, roughly 60 per cent of latest submissions are rejected.
The place can we draw the road?
Holmer and Magness’s opinions could come throughout as harsh, however their level isn’t with out advantage. In some unspecified time in the future, we’ve got to ask: what ought to qualify as a world report?
As a child, I bear in mind asking for the newest Guinness guide each Christmas. I used to be awed by feats just like the tallest individual alive or probably the most time spent awake. These have been distinctive and infrequently unrepeatable achievements. Now, particularly within the operating world, it looks like many data are simply exams of how far your creativeness and tolerance can go.
That’s to not say all operating Guinness World Information aren’t spectacular. Operating a 2:33 marathon dressed as a banana takes severe grit and coaching, and I definitely couldn’t do it, which is the place Guinness ought to draw the road. A world report ought to really feel actually out of attain for the typical individual. Operating 21 kilometres a day for 125 straight days is undeniably a logistical and time-sucking grind. However as Holmer and Magness counsel, the efficiency side? Perhaps not world-record calibre.
If all the pieces turns into a report, does the time period even imply something?
