Editor’s Letter
INTRODUCTION
As ever, you’ll find
thousands of new and
updated world records –
plus some favourite classics
from the archives – but
this year we’ve put an
exciting new spin on things.
We’ve taken our inspiration
for this edition from the
fantastical world of the
superhero, both fictional
and real life.
I’ve always thought of
our record holders as living,
breathing superheroes.
With their heightened
powers – be it strength,
stamina, intelligence,
persistence, determination
or a combination of allBetween them, North Americans were responsible for making more than a quarter of all
applications to Guinness World Records in the past 12 months.LARGEST HUMAN LETTER
Over the years, NBC’s To d ay show has witnessed a wealth
of record-breaking (see table). On 29 Mar 2017, The University
of Tennessee (USA) assembled 4,223 students in the shape of
the letter “T” in Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee. It took
place during Rokerthon 3, a series of record attempts hosted
by To d ay’s weatherman Al Roker. Two days later, Rokerthon 3
claimed another GWR record with the longest conga on ice
(top right), by 593 students from the State University of New
York at Oswego in New York, USA.
The most balloons burst with the mouth in 30 seconds
is 19, by Ashrita Furman (USA) on the set of To d ay in New
York City, USA, on 7 Sep 2016. And Raymond Butler (USA)
performed the longest backflip into a pair of trousers
(259 cm; 8 ft 6 in) two days beforehand, also on To d ay’s
set. Butler achieved the record on his second attempt.MOST MEDICATION DONATED IN 24 HOURS
(MULTIPLE VENUES)
On 30 Jan 2017, Uniting to Combat NTDs (UK) oversaw the
donation of 207,169,292 doses of medication at various
venues in India, South Africa, Portugal, Mexico, France and
Belgium. On 18 Apr 2017, a GWR certificate acknowledging this incredible achievement was
presented to Thoko Elphick-Pooley, Director of the Uniting to Combat NTDs Support Centre
in Geneva, Switzerland. She is shown above next to Bill Gates, in a line-up of individuals who
play pivotal roles in the fight against NTDs (neglected tropical diseases).Welcome to this superpowered, superlative
edition of the record-breaking record book.
We believe that anyone can unleash their inner
superhero, and this edition is proof of that.
It’s packed with thousands of incredible tales
of everyday heroes overcoming the odds to
become the best in the world.five – they’re certainly the
closest thing you’ll find to
Superman, Wonder Woman
and Iron Man in the real
world. If we had to assemble
a team of superheroes,
we’ve certainly got plenty
of people to choose from!
In fact, you’ll find my
suggestion for this very
thing on pp.10–11: the
Superlative Squad – a team
of real-life record holders
that epitomizes the range
and diversity of record-
breaking.
As this line-up shows,
you don’t have to wear
your underpants on the
outside of your trousersAS SEEN ON THE TODAY SHOW...
Title Record Holder (all USA) Date
Most skips with a leg
behind the head in
one minute35 Bria Roberts 8 Sep 2016Largest street dance 253
dancersPMT Dance Studio 9 Sep 2016Largest human image
of a cloud490
peopleThe University of
Oklahoma27 Mar 2017Largest human image
of a lightning bolt280
peopleThe University of
Oklahoma27 Mar 2017Largest game of
freeze tag634
peopleNorthern Michigan
University28 Mar 2017Most people
crab walking494
peopleLoyola University
Maryland30 Mar 2017