Free Radio presenter sets a world record?

After a 26 hours 51 minutes and 8 second challenge, Free Radio’s Giuliano set a new Guinness World Record for the longest marathon on a bumper car.

The record attempt, which took place on the dodgems ride at Drayton Manor Theme Park, kicked off at 6am on Wednesday 14th August, finishing just before 9am the day after and saw Giuliano (from the Foxy & Giuliano Free Radio breakfast show in Birmingham) compete against drive show host Sparky (from the Jo & Sparky Free Radio evening show in Birmingham), exceeding the previous record, set by Marcus Gaines at Funland, Hayling Island, by 42 minutes.

Giuliano is confident he now holds the new world record although the attempt will be authenticated by Guinness World Records before being made official.

Ahead of the event and feeling motivated to succeed Sparky said “I’m excited and I want to win, I can visualise that Guinness World Record certificate framed on the wall at my mum’s house”. Giuliano simply said “I’m going to win” and when Sparky dropped out and Giuliano came to a halt knowing he was the record holder he added “I’ve never had anyone make so much fuss over me. It’s really nice of everyone. Thank you so much”

Drayton Manor Theme Park’s CEO and Managing Director, Colin Bryan said: “Spending over 26 hours in a dodgem is no easy feat, especially when you’re sleep-deprived but somehow Giuliano managed to do it and this is an amazing achievement. A lot of fun was had by everyone involved, both Drayton Manor and Free Radio staff, as well as members of the public who visited and had the chance to ride in a dodgem and take part too.

Seeking advice in the build up to their challenge, the pair received advice from former Record Breakers presenter Kriss Akabusi saying “You know what they say… No Pain, No Gain. Keep focused on the goal if you want to be a record breaker”. As both of them passed the old record, they clearly took this on board.