A MAN PULLING A DOUBLE-DECKER BY THE HAIR, MASS CHEERLEADING AND A GIANT GINGERBREAD MAN…?  IT CAN ONLY BE GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS DAY!

2 November 2009 (London, UK) – People around the world are getting ready to defy the monotonous month of November and break some wacky and wonderful records on the fifth annual Guinness World Records Day (12 November). Celebrated to commemorate the day in 2004 when Guinness World Records became the world’s bestselling copyright book of all time, Guinness World Records Day attracts hundreds of thousands of record-breakers around the world every year - in a true spirit of philanthropy and fun.

As in previous years, wacky and wonderful Brits promise to showcase their talent and raise money for their favourite charities on Guinness World Records Day. Among the dozens of attempts planned around the country, London will host the big comeback of 59-year old Manjit Singh who will perform a hair-raising attempt for the furthest distance to pull a double-decker bus with hair (New World Record).  Also in the Capital, commuters will literally come together at St Pancras Station for the most people hugging for one minute (100), while hundreds will descend on Alexandra Palace as they attempt to skate their way into the records book for the longest conga on ice (107). In Southampton the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation will team up with Justdance Salsa for the largest salsa dance (451).  Demonstrating his physical strength in support of the British Heart Foundation, “British Master’s Squat Power Lifting Champion” Shaun Jones from Norwich hopes to grab the title for most weight squat lifted in one hour (41,600kg) and the fastest hot water bottle burst (51.98 secs).  In Northern Ireland, Oaks Shopping Centre will celebrate Guinness World Records Day with a record attempt for largest human mattress dominoes (121) to raise money for Marie Curie cancer nurses, and Ballyclare High School will hold the largest sports lesson (250).   Meanwhile, Carr’s Glen Primary School in Belfast celebrates it 70th anniversary by organising the largest gathering of people dressed as storybook characters (NWR).  

Editor-in-Chief, Craig Glenday says: “Guinness World Records Day is a perfect opportunity for individuals and organizations to raise awareness of their causes, and this year’s line-up of record-breakers is even bigger and better than last year. We look forward to seeing dozens of new records being broken around the world and welcoming new achievers in to the family of Guinness World Records.”

Record-breaking mania on Guinness World Records Day will not just hit the UK, as countries around the globe put their best foot forward with amazing attempts such as the fastest vehicle crossing of the Egyptian western desert, during 24 hours in Egypt, largest bikini parade (281) in Australia, and most nationalities in a Sauna (57) in Finland. Elsewhere in Europe, Rolf Allerdissen in Germany will brave the cold November weather in a record attempt for furthest distanced covered in 24 hours on a water slide (75.72 miles) , and Norway sets out to get into the Christmas spirit early with the largest gingerbread man (593.53 kg).  Across the Atlantic, the US will celebrate Guinness World Records Day with events including the largest cheerleading dance (225), in Memphis, Tennessee and most people lassoing simultaneously in Texas.

Now a global phenomenon, Guinness World Records Day commemorates the day in 2004 when the book became the world’s bestselling copyright title with a hundred million copies sold. Any records set on Guinness World Records day are short-listed for inclusion in next year’s edition of the book, which is currently enjoying a top position on the UK’s bestseller list. Information on the exact time and location of each of these events is found in the notes to editor. Some of the times are subject to change.

For further information, picture requests or attendance on UK events, contact:
Karolina Thelin or Amarilis Espinoza 0207 891 4518 / press@guinnessworldrecords.com
Notes to Editor:

UK & Ireland – Events on Wednesday 11th November 2009:

Farnborough, Hampshire

• 18:00: Largest gathering of people wearing underpants (146). For Cancer Research the people of Cardiff will be treated to the sight of over 200 men in their underpants. Tilebarn Close, Cove, Farnborough, GU14 8LS.  For more information contact Louise Sayce on 07513 512 911

UK & Ireland – Events on Guinness World Records Day – Thursday 12th November 2009:

London

• 07:30: Most people hugging for a minute (100).  London commuters get friendly and come together at Kings Cross St Pancras International.  Pancras Road, London, NW1 2QP.  Contact Kate Fisher kf@londoncommunications@.co.uk on 0207 612 8492

• 09:30: Furthest distance to pull a bus with the hair (NWR). Watch British strongman Manjit Singh attempt the ‘impossible’ in central London. Contact: Karolina Thelin karolina.thelin@guinnessworldrecords.com on 0207 891 4584

• 11:00: Longest conga on ice (107). The public are encouraged to put on their skates and get down to Alexandra Palace to participate in arguably the most fun record attempt of the day. Alexandra Palace Way, Wood Green, London, N22 7AY.  Contact Jane Lawrence jl.directpr@btconnect.com on 020 7407 6882

Northern Ireland

• 11:00: Largest gathering of people dressed as storybook characters (NWR).   Celebrating Carr’s Glen Primary School’s 70th anniversary over 300 children will dress up as their favourite storybook characters.  629 Oldpark Road, Belfast, BT14 6QX  Contact Tony Young  tonyyoung@live.co.uk  on 028 9039 1286

• 14:00: Largest sports lesson (250).  To promote the ‘healthy schools programme’ the students of Ballyclare High School will have fun, get fit, and hopefully achieve a new world record! Ballyclare High School, County Antrim, 31 Rashee Road, BT39 9HJ.  Contact Andrea McCullough amccullough225@c2kni.net on 07729 266 422

• 19:00: Largest human mattress dominoes (121).  Raising money for Marie Curie, The Oaks Centre in Dungannon will attempt to break the world record for ‘human dominoes’! Oaks Shopping Centre, Oak Road, Dungannon, BT71 4NA.   Contact Barry Mcguinness barrymcguinness@btinternet.com on 07875 033 337

Norwich, Norfolk

• 09:30:  Most weight squat lifted in one hour (41,600kg)and The fastest time to burst a hot water bottle (51.98 seconds) The incredible Shaun Jones will attempt to squat lift over 41,600 kg for over 60 minutes.  And if that wasn’t enough Shaun will then attempt to blow up a hot water with his own breath! The event will raise money for the British Heart Foundation. Oasis Sports & Leisure Club Pound Lane Thorpe St Andrew Norwich NR7 OUB.

Bournemouth, Dorset

• 11:00: The most arm-linked people to stand up simultaneously (39).  Over 100 students have something very special planned on Guinness World Records Day.  Watch this space!  The event is organised by Bournemouth University. Talbot Campus, Fern Barrow, Poole BH12.  Contact Andie Hill ahill@bournemouth.ac.uk on 01202 961400

Morda, Shropshire

• 09:00: Multiple endurance world records.  Guinness World Record holder Stephen Buttler and his cousin Luke Wright will attempt 5 world records between them.  This includes Most tricep dips in one hour and most knee bends on a swiss ball in one minute.  They will be raising money for Hope House (respite for terminally ill children).  Contact Stephen Buttler smjbuttler@aol.com on 07790 618 197 (Mobile) / 01952 850425 (Work).  Hope House, Oswestry, Nant Lane, Morda, Shropshire, SY10 9BX. 

Southampton, Hampshire

• 18:30:  Largest salsa lesson (451). In the run up to World Diabetes Day Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation are hoping to dance their way into the records book.  Come and along and get involved.  Barton Park, Chickenhall Ln, Eastleigh, Hampshire SO50 6RR.  Contact: Talia Field  TField@jdrf.org.uk on 023 8061 6643

 US Guinness World Records Day Events:

Forth Worth, Texas

• Friday, November 6th/8-10 pm (CST) Most People Lassoing Simultaneously (*New)- The Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District, Texas will be attempting to rope in a new world record for ‘Most People Twirling Lassos Simultaneously.’ For more information about the rodeo contact DeeDee Wix at 817-625-1025.

Memphis, Tennessee

• Saturday, November 7th/4 pm (CST) Largest Cheerleading Dance (225)- Varsityspirit.com gathers over 300 spirited cheerleaders to celebrate their sport by attempting the ‘Largest Cheerleading Dance’ at the  UCA Mid South Regional Cheerleading Event at the University of Memphis Fieldhouse. To get involved, please contact Sheila Noone at 901-251-5959.

New York, New York

• Monday, November 9th /11 am (EST) Largest Cup of Hot Chocolate (*New)-  World renowned dessert hot spot, Serendipity III, hopes to go for their second Guinness World Record (they currently hold record for the Most Expensive Dessert).  For more information, please contact Joe Calderone at 212-832-9809

• Wednesday, November 11th/8-8 pm (EST) Largest Collection of Lipstick Prints (12 hours)- November 11th – Cosmopolitan Magazine, Maybelline New York and the United Service Organizations will be asking New Yorkers to pucker up as they attempt to set the record for most ‘Lip Print Kisses collected in 12 hours’ in Times Square. For more information, contact Jo Carne at 212 649 2000.

Miami, Florida
• Thursday, November 12th /4 pm (EST) Longest Marathon Reading Aloud (113 hours 15 min)- Beginning on November 3rd, members of International Solidarity for Human Rights -The New Generation, seek to set a new record for “Longest Reading Aloud Marathon by a Team” while reading the 30 Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, repeatedly for over 224 hours at the InterAmerican Campus of Miami Dade College. The event culminates on November 12 and promotes promoting education, understanding and respect for human rights. This is an official event of the 2009 Miami Book Fair International. For more information on this, please contact Elizabeth Sanchez Vegas 786 301-3019.

Across USA
• Thursday, November 12th/ - Most People Sport Stacking Simultaneously (222,560)- The World Sport Stacking Association and their annual STACK UP! Guinness World Records Day record attempt for will be taking place on Nov. 12th. Children from 1,406 schools (298,864 stackers) across the country are set to stack to try and beat last year’s numbers. Contact Bob Fox at 1-877-468-2877 (ext. 203)

For inquires about all US Events contact: Jamie Panas +1 718 513 7263 jamie.panas@guinnessworldrecords.com