While the eyes of the world are on London and the Olympic Games, another world record was set for fitness. This time it wasn’t in the pool, on the velodrome or on the track – it was on the treadmill! Cybex International announced that Forest School in London set the farthest distance covered on one treadmill in 24 hours. The maker of premium exercise equipment provided two 750T treadmills for the challenge.
This was a team accomplishment with runners consisting of teachers, parents and students age 16 to 18, who ran a total of 437km – or nearly 272 miles – in a 24-hour period. This broke the previous record, which was set by a German team in 2010, by more than 15km. To accomplish this record distance the team averaged 11.3 miles per hour, which is a pace better than 5:18 per mile.
The team included Noel Thatcher, MBE, a five-time gold medal-winning Paralympic athlete and patron of Forest School’s preparatory school; and Tony Cottee, a former professional soccer player for West Ham United F.C.
“The world record completed by the Forest School team was a fantastic accomplishment,” said Luke Berry, Cybex regional sales manager. “Not only is it a fantastic achievement for the team, but they also raised a huge amount of money for charity. We were honored to play a part in this challenge and illustrate the durability and reliability of the 750T treadmill.”
Through the world record attempt, the team has raised more than £8,500 (more than $13,100 US) for the Essex Disabled Sports Federation and the Forest School Olympic Scholarship.
Cybex UK Fitness Blog: CYBEX treadmills power Forest School to endurance world record