New World Record

[welchce]

Richard Latest - Monday 13th August - RECORD-BREAKER RICHARD BACK ON SOLID GROUND !

After 401 hours, nearly 8,000 rollercoaster rides and having covered a distance of over 6,300 miles (almost as far as the return journey from his hometown of Brooklyn, New York to Blackpool!), Richard Rodriguez dismounted the Pepsi Max Big One at Pleasure Beach, Blackpool for the final time, after smashing the current Guinness World Record for the longest rollercoaster marathon.

Richard broke the record at 00:01 on Monday 6th August, but chose to carry on riding for another week to make his new record a really tough one to beat! Rollercoaster marathon veteran Richard, 48, had broken an incredible 17 world records over the last 30 years, until a change in Guinness guidelines meant his previous records were no longer recognised.

Amazingly, the American has been eating, drinking and sleeping on rollercoasters for the past 17 days as he carried out the ultimate endurance test.

Richard was originally going head to head with 2 challengers at Freizeitland Gieselwind park in Germany, but they dropped out after 1 ½ days due to medical reasons, paving the way for Richard to ride his way to the record.

Commenting on his record, Richard Rodriguez said: "It feels great to be the world record holder once again! It's a little strange to be back on solid ground but I'm sure I'll readjust soon. The Pleasure Beach staff and visitors to the amusement park have been so supportive during this marathon attempt so I want to say a big thank you to everyone who has helped me to stay positive and achieve this world record."

Amanda Thompson, Pleasure Beach Managing Director, added: "Huge congratulations to Richard for this superb record break, his stamina during this toughest challenge yet has been incredible. Pleasure Beach is the rollercoaster capital of the world with 11 classic and modern coasters, so it's only right that the world record should be held right here in England."

WELL DONE RICHARD FROM EVERYONE AT THE BLACKPOOL PLEASURE BEACH GUIDE... WE NEW YOU COULD DO IT ;-)

http://www.theblackpoolpleasurebeachguide.moonfruit.com/

Simply amazing

[TH13TEEN]

that is amazing

[Dvo]

Indeed, very impressive. I wanna try I wonder how he set something like that up with the park. I'd love to contact a park saying that I wanted to go for a world record on their coaster and see if they'd let me get some ERT on it.... It's ingenious. And how is Blackpool Pleasure Beach the "roller coaster capitol of the world?" Lets see.. they have 11, CP has 17? hmmmmmm........

[KIBeast]

I always wanted to try to marathon Son of Beast.

[DeLorean Rider]

I always wanted to try to marathon Son of Beast.

You mean like a pain tolerance test?

[DropZone99]

I could do the SOB marathon, i love that ride! Not to long ago i got to ride it three times in a row, but thats not even close to 8,000.

=]

[DeLorean Rider]

Three times? Well you're really on your way, lol.

[Jasper]

Well you guys we have a new roller coaster capital of the world and it is.....Blackpool Pleasure Beach?!?! I dont think the woman who said that knows about Cedar Point or she is just been brainwashed by those people over in England.

I could not even imagine marathoning SOB. I would marathon Beast, Racer,maybe Firehawk, Drop Zone, Top Gun, and Flight of Fear, but SOB i dont think my head would be the same after about the 8th or 9th time. Not to menton that horrible chain noise.

And when i first saw this topic i thought you were going to be reffering to the new world record for K'nex Coaster that some kids built 30 feet tall and they are going to attempt 40 next.

[TOPGUN1993]

My first choice to "marathon" on a roller coaster would be Gemini.

[Dvo]

Viking Fury Marathon!!! barf.

The issue that I see is the food/sleep issue. It would have to be a ride that you could easily eat and sleep on, i.e. not TOO fast. I'd say that I could definitely marathon Top Gun or Racer, as well as Gemini and Iron Dragon at CP. or what about a sky ride marathon?

[DeLorean Rider]

I would have glady marathoned Screechin' Eagle

[Jasper]

My first choice to "marathon" on a roller coaster would be Gemini.

Nice choice i rode it about 12 times in a row one day. That is one ride that takes most people by surprise because that first drop is actually a thrilling drop. And it does provide moments of nice airtime and G Forces. Another thing that wouldnt be too bad is either Raptor, Blues Streak, or an all time classic.....MAGNUM XL-200

[Cory Butcher]

I personally would like to marathon Blue Streak...it is perhaps close to my favorite ride at CP...my friend and I rode it 22 times in two days and 13 times straight one day! It was a blast, I love its airtime!

[Browntggrr]

Honestly, these stunts are stupid. If he was riding for charity, then fine, at least there is some sort of benefit. But just riding for a world record? What a waste of time.

Instead of sitting on your a$$ on a ride, why not volunteer at the local community shelter for 17 consecutive days.

Now that is an accomplishment.

[Gordon Bombay]

Some people find hapinness in other things. He didn't waste your time so why do you care. He could probably say you and I waste just as much time posting on a fansite about a local park and the hours we spend browsing this site dont go to charity.

I wonder if when the park shut down for the night if they stopped running the coaster and he slept on it or if they kept it going through the night. Delorean Rider and I have spent late nights working at parks for special ERT's but we never had to go all night.

[Browntggrr]

^ But I'm not going to be here an extra week just to make it more difficult for the next guy. And quite honestly, USA Today doesn't give two craps that I am here in the first place.

And you are right, it wasn't my time being wasted. But stunts like this not only promote more ignorant stunts in the future, but also opinions as well. Do something constructive, and I would be the first guy to applaud him.

Nothing more than a media hound.

[Monroe]

^Never thought that I would agree with a browns fan, (My father is turning in his grave right now) but.......You are right, only a small portion of the world records are held by those who do it for charity or other useful reasons. Most are done out of self satisfaction, I think that is a big waist. If you want to break a record, why not help some one with cancer, or some one who was injured on a ride and can not afford the medical bill.

[KIBeast]

I could marathon SOB for people with brian/head injuries...then join them afterwards.