Man with Parkinson’s and friend beat three-legged race Guinness World Record in Silchester for the second time
A Tadley man with Parkinson’s and his friend broke the Guinness World Record for the ‘farthest distance run three-legged in 12 hours’ for the second time.
Gary Shaughnessy, 57, and his friend Andy Tucker initially broke the world record in 2021, when the pair completed 71.4km of a circuit at Silchester Playing Fields.
In August, two Australian men beat the Hampshire pals and their record when they completed 72.169km.
Both men wanted their world title back, and so they set off on the 12-hour challenge in Silchester at 7am on Sunday, September 24, and completed 77.38km, winning back the Guinness World Record (subject to verification).
Mr Shaughnessy, chairman of trustees for Parkinson’s UK and the Z Zurich Foundation, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2015 and has since completed several fundraising challenges to show that his condition will not define him.
He said: “So many people don’t know what Parkinson’s is, and the challenges I take on are all about raising awareness of the condition, and also feeling more in control of my Parkinson’s.
“The condition makes you feel like you’ve lost control, but when I’m doing exercise I feel more in charge and it helps relieve my symptoms. It helps me poke Parkinson’s in the eye.”
To date, Mr Shaughnessy has raised more than £100,000 for Parkinson’s UK through different challenges which include cycling from Liverpool to the Polish-Ukrainian border in May, cycling from London to Barcelona in July and this latest three-legged world record attempt.
He added: “I hope that my challenges and determination to keep active will encourage others living with Parkinson’s to get active, and will also encourage people to donate towards research that could lead to a cure.”
Parkinson’s UK chief executive Caroline Rassell said: “We’re so grateful to Gary for supporting Parkinson’s UK and helping us get closer to better treatments and ultimately a cure, whilst showing the benefits of being active – whatever your active is.
“We hope that Gary’s passion for supporting causes that are close to his heart inspires you to take on a challenge and make a difference.”
To donate to Mr Shaughnessy and Mr Tucker’s fundraiser, which has already raised more than £50,000, visit http://rb.gy/vg522
Parkinson’s is the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world. Around 145,000 people in the UK have Parkinson’s and condition has more than 40 symptoms, from tremor and pain to anxiety.
Parkinson’s UK stated that being active for just two-and-a-half hours a week can help manage Parkinson’s symptoms, and this will also have a positive impact both physically and mentally.
