Tag Archives: United Kingdom

Fastest crossing of the English Channel by pedal-powered boat

Paul Tucker (UK) pedalled across the English Channel from a point near Cap Gris-Nez, France, to Folkestone, Kent, UK, in 7 hr 6 min on 21 May 2002. His 3.7 m (12 ft) boat Escapade was powered by a propeller turned by pedals. The record attempt was in aid of the Royal British Legion. The crossing above was the return leg of a double crossing (he also holds the record for fastest double crossing).

Fastest escape from a straitjacket

The fastest time to escape from a regulated Posey straitjacket is 4.69 seconds and was achieved by Sofia Romero (UK) at the Aylestone Leisure Centre, Leicester, UK on 9 June 2011. Sofia attempted the record five times and the fifth was the fastest. She used a regulated Posey straitjacket, not a theatrical one, in accordance with the guidelines.

Fastest ferret

On 11 July 1999 at the North England Ferret Racing Championships held in Blythe, Northumberland,UK, an albino ferret named ‘Warhol’, owned by Jacqui Adams (UK), ran the 10 m (32 ft 9 in) tube race in 12.59 sec thus beating 150 other ferret competitors. Warhol weighed 2.72 kg (6 lb) at the time of the race.

Fastest flight across the Atlantic

The flight record is 1 hr 54 mins 56.4 secs by USAF Major James V. Sullivan, and Major Noel F. Widdifield, flying a Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird eastwards on 1 September 1974. The average speed for the New York–London stage of 5,570.80 km (3,461.53 miles) was 2,908.02 km/h (1,806.96 mph). The speed only slowed to refuel once from a specially-modified KC-135 refuelling tanker aircraft. The aircraft then went on display at Farnborough Air Show for one week – the first time the secret plane had been Continue reading →

Fastest half marathon in a fireman’s uniform

The fastest half marathon in a full fireman’s uniform is 2 hr 41 sec and was achieved by Stuart Ruston (UK) at the Ironbridge Half Marathon in Telford, Shropshire, UK, on 31 March 2013. Stuart is a fire fighter for the Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service and ran to raise money for ‘The Fire Fighters Charity’ and ‘Help for Heroes’. The official race time was 02:00.41.