Man sets record as heaviest man to finish marathon

Mollydolly10
Mollydolly10 Posts: 431 Member
edited September 25 in Fitness and Exercise
I found this article pretty inspirational, despite his struggles throughout the race - it's amazing what the body can do with some motivation, willpower, and a tolerance for pain!

L.A. Marathon: It's official, Kelly Gneiting sets Guinness World Record as heaviest man to finish
March 20, 2011

Kelly Gneiting, a 400-pound sumo wrestler, set a Guinness World Record as the heaviest man to complete a marathon, after finishing on Sunday in 9 hours 48 minutes 52 seconds.

Gneiting weighed 396.2 pounds after the marathon, smashing the past world record of 275 pounds and beating his 2008 marathon time of 11:52:11.

"I'd like to see the Kenyan improve his marathon time by two hours," he joked.

Gneiting jogged the first eight miles and walked the final 18, saying afterward that he lost track of where he was after mile 10 because he felt delirious.

Gneiting said he realized that he was at mile 15 only because his friend met him there with clean socks.

He finished the 26.2-mile race despite heavy rains and strong winds. For much of the race, he was also forced to obey traffic signals and walk on the sidewalk because he was walking far more slowly than the 13-minute-per-mile-pace used for calculating street reopenings.

"I was really struggling in the last five miles," he said, "but I said to myself, 'If I have to crawl, I will.'"

Source: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2011/03/la-marathon-its-official-kelly-gneiting-sets-guiness-world-record-as-heaviest-man-.html

Replies

  • Natural
    Natural Posts: 461 Member
    9 hours? i probably would have quit at my current weight.
  • Mollydolly10
    Mollydolly10 Posts: 431 Member
    9 hours? i probably would have quit at my current weight.

    I know right?! It's crazy to think he was so determined that he literally saw it through for NINE HOURS. Amazing
  • lildazey
    lildazey Posts: 86 Member
    What an inspiring story! Thanks for sharing Molly!
  • JenniferH81
    JenniferH81 Posts: 285 Member
    Wow that's amazing!
  • QueenofCups
    QueenofCups Posts: 365 Member
    Love to hear stories like this! Thanks for sharing!!
  • tanniew78
    tanniew78 Posts: 602 Member
    I think its awesome. It goes to show that you CAN do anything you truly set your mind to. It might take you awhile. You have to sacrifice, but the feeling in the end is SO worth it... Wow, I needed this reminder today. Thanks so much!
  • StacLegg
    StacLegg Posts: 346 Member
    this makes me feel awful for feeling wimpy on saturday during my 3.2 run in the wind..... =(
    how inspiring!!
  • AmberElaine84
    AmberElaine84 Posts: 964 Member
    That is pretty amazing! Love this story!!
  • loxleys
    loxleys Posts: 230 Member
    Its such an achievement even for the fittest of people, determination to succeed in such a challenge is inspiring. Makes me want to up my game a bit.
    thanks for posting this story
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