GUINNESS WORLD 24HR RECORD ATTEMPT TO BE MADE IN ORKNEY

The experienced Orkney based ultra distance runner, William Sichel (49) will attempt to break the year old Guinness World Record for the greatest distance run in 24 hours on a treadmill at the Pickaquoy Leisure Centre, Kirkwall, Orkney on Saturday and Sunday 30th November/1st December beginning at 10.30.

William, who has lived in the tiny Island of Sanday for over 20 years, has represented Great Britain ten times in 100km and 24 hours road running championships. He is well qualified to tackle the existing record of 105.18 miles which was set last October by Gavin Smith of Tauranga, New Zealand.

“I have never attempted a world record before and am not taking this challenge lightly having little experience of running for this length of time on a treadmill. If I can reproduce recent form I believe I have a good chance of breaking the current record.”

William has enjoyed considerable success since attempting his first ultra in 1994. He has won the overall British 100km Championships (1999); won the World 100km Championships for his age group (1998); achieved top 20 positions in both the World and European 100km Championships (1998 & 1997) and has twice been ranked in the top 12 in the world at the 24hr distance with a current road best of 153.29 miles. William has been Britain’s No1 24hr runner since 1998.

William has also showed good recent form, following an 11 month injury break, having been the leading GB runner in both the European 100km Championships in September and the recent Road Runners Club 100 Mile Track Challenge at the Crystal Palace where William was third overall with a new 100 mile track personal best.
William is well aware that other claims for this record have been made but they have not passed Guinness’ scrutiny and have not been ratified.

“Every effort is being made to comply with the stringent Guinness World Record criteria so that any performance achieved is recognised by Guinness. Amongst other things Guinness insist that the venue for the attempt remain open to the public for the full 24hrs; witness and event log books are maintained and that the calibration certificate for the treadmill is made available.”

William is being assisted in his record attempt by a team of students from Paisley University, led by William’s long term adviser David Murrie. They will carry out constant monitoring of William’s performance as part of their final year sports science degree projects. Information gathered will also be made available to William to assist in future 24hr performances on road and track.

William was voted Orkney’s first ‘Sportsman of the Year’ in November 2000. He is a member of the Moray Road Runners and the Orkney Athletic Club. With his wife, Elizabeth, he runs the Orkney Angora mail order craft business in Sanday.

William is grateful to sponsors Orkney Meat (main sponsor), The Ayre Hotel, The Orcadian, Crantit Dairy (Orkney Ice Cream) and Saucony UK.

Making contact:
William Sichel, Upper Breckan, Sanday, Orkney KW17 2AZ. Tel/Fax: 01857 600421. Mobile (whilst travelling only) 0794 128 3506. williamsichel@orkneyangora.co.uk Running web site: www.orkneyangora.co.uk/ultra.htm

Pickaquoy Leisure Centre, Muddiesdale Road, KIRKWALL, Orkney KW15 1RR. Tel: 01856 879900; Fax: 01856 879901.Assistant Manager: Mark Harrison mark.harrison@pickaquoy.com

Photographs:
Newsline Scotland (Press Agency). Tel 01224 594000. photos@newsline-scotland.co.uk
Ken Amer, Orkney Photographic. Tel 01856 873574, Mobile 07808 961780 info@orkneyphotographic.co.uk
William Sichel, ‘Free to use’ photographs can be down loaded from my on-line photo album. Go to: http://www.orkneyangora.co.uk/photos.htm and click on ‘Running Photo album’.

28/10/02