Alistair Carter (left) and Ryan McGowan were rapt to be finished after 30 hours. Photo – Michael Jeans.
The Cambridge Central Bowling Club has added what will likely be a third Guinness World Record to their name. Though it will still be a few weeks until it’s officially confirmed, club members Alistair Carter and Ryan McGowan completed a world record over the weekend, playing the longest singles lawn bowls marathon.
They were at it non-stop from 10am Saturday to 4pm Sunday with just one ten-minute break every 2 hours, clocking up 27 hours and 59 seconds on the green.
“The last couple of hours I thought the clock had stopped,” laughed Alistair. “We did find it a bit hard, but we did it, we’re over the moon.”
It adds to the club’s other two records set in 2016, 172 hours and 7 minutes playing non-stop lawn bowls (in teams), and 52 hours playing the longest game of continuous indoor bowls, both raising funds for good causes. This year’s record attempt raised money for the Autism Society, which could be about two thousand dollars once the funds are calculated.
Ryan McGowan (left) and Alistair Carter (right) have chalked up another record after their bowls marathon at the weekend. Photo – Michael Jeans.
“It was a lot harder than the other one,” said Ryan, who also took part in the week-long record in 2016, “With those ten-minute breaks, you didn’t really have the chance to sit down and let your muscles cool down a little bit, you were just going the whole time.”
The pair played 15 games in total, Ryan winning the first 6 games. “When it got dark all of a sudden Ali kicked into gear and won four or five in a row as well,” said Ryan, who came out with three more wins over Alistair.
When the 30 hours finally came to a close, a few tears were shed as the club members realised they’d done it once again. “It was quite emotional when we finished, it was a big effort from all,” Ryan said.
Both men wished to thank their “amazing” support crew, who kept them fed and watered throughout, and made sure all the official paper work and records were kept. After a few celebratory drinks, they slept for a solid 13 hours and were certainly feeling it the next day.
“We’re very pleased that the club now has three world records,” said Alistair. “It’s good for the club and good for the game of bowls as well.”
