9.58s : Usain Bolt sets a new 100m World Record [more inside]
posted by sloe on Aug 16, 2009 - 175 comments

Nationally famous (in New Zealand) dance troupe the Real Hot Bitches set the world record for synchronised dance. [SLYT]
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen on Jul 25, 2009 - 34 comments

"The whole dream is that everybody has a world record in them," said Dan Rollman, president and co-founder of the Brooklyn-based Universal Record Database. Since the site went live last fall, more than 1,000 feats have been documented - ranging from the most binder clips on a face (now up to 34) to the longest toenail (seven-eighths of an inch) to the most whoopee cushions sat on without smiling or laughing (presently up to 18), and a few records involving mustaches (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). Beyond the basics of setting records, the URDB is based on three principles: 1. Honesty and accuracy are pretty much everything, 2. Don't hurt yourself. Don't hurt others. Don't hurt the planet, and 3. Waste sucks. [more inside]
posted by filthy light thief on Jun 20, 2009 - 22 comments

Pianist, producer, and songwriter Gonzales (real name Jason Charles Beck) is currently attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the longest solo concert. He's aiming for 27 hours, and at time of writing has around six hours left to go. You can follow the attempt live online. [more inside]
posted by tapeguy on May 17, 2009 - 19 comments

In an innovative approach to record breaking, the world-renowned Todd Lamb set a new record for the most images of fish sandwiches looked at in sixty seconds.
posted by Pants! on Dec 20, 2008 - 26 comments

Suppression is the act of concealing news of a rare bird from other twitchers. Other twitchers take the more open approach - Sean Dooley broke the Australian record for most birds seen in a year, and inspired by his example, Alan Davies and Ruth Miller gave up their jobs and embarked on a quest to see "over 3,662 different species of birds in twelve months, from 1st January to 31st December 2008." On October 31st, they achieved their goal.
posted by awfurby on Nov 3, 2008 - 13 comments

Last year, Michael Mooney attempted to break the world record for riding the tallest bike. Instead he broke his knee. This year he tried again. Like any good biker, he got up and tried again (1:33 for the good stuff). He may not have broken the record, but he sure is awesome.
posted by rikschell on Sep 8, 2008 - 16 comments

World Record Spaghetti Bridge [more inside]
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium on Mar 8, 2008 - 34 comments

2:04:26 Sunday 1 Oct. Haile Gebrselassie set a new World Record (by 29 seconds!) when he won the Berlin Marathon. He's held the WR at 2k and 3k (indoor), 5k (several times) (1998 part 1, 2) , 10k (several times), 10mile, 1/2 marathon, one hour (also) and 25k. Bonus: Alan Webb bests the American Record for the Mile this summer: 3:46.91
posted by OmieWise on Oct 4, 2007 - 21 comments

The Zephyr, a solar powered plane, has smashed the record for the longest duration un-manned flight, staying aloft with engines running for 54 hours. This was just a test run at the US military White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, according to the UK developers, "You ain't seen nothing yet". Meanwhile in Switzerland, development continues on the Solar Impulse, which has a goal of flying around the world, manned(!), by 2010.
posted by stbalbach on Sep 11, 2007 - 11 comments

i haven not slept in 126 hrs. my mental aptitude is completely shot. words that come out of my mout are completely random ; nonsensicle...dropping into bed will be GOOD FEELNGI.. How long can you stay awake? This guy made it just over 5 days, and kept a journal. Randy Gardner holds the world record of 11 days, which he set as a high school student in 1964. On the fourth day he had a delusion that he was Paul Lowe winning the Rose Bowl, and that a street sign was a person. Previously: [1], [2]
posted by gottabefunky on Mar 23, 2007 - 115 comments

Justin Gatlin is now the fastest man alive (in fact, he's faster than anyone not alive, as well).
posted by Elpoca on May 12, 2006 - 31 comments

Heinz Stücke has travelled 335,000 miles by bicycle since 1960. And he's done it all on one bicycle, a 3-speed that weighs 56 lbs. That journey was threatened a few days ago when a thief stole his bike (it was later found by police). He's been shot at, robbed, arrested, and celebrated, embraced and admired in every corner of the planet. Though Charles Veley has the domain name and the top google hit, Stücke is the MAN. "Would I do it all over again? No! I never liked to cover the same terrain I've already conquered. IT'S THE UNKNOWN AROUND THE CORNER THAT TURNS MY WHEEL…"
posted by mcstayinskool on May 12, 2006 - 12 comments

Kurt Steiner is better at stone skipping than you are. Link goes to brief bios with downloadable avi's of the proof.
posted by jonson on Mar 3, 2006 - 29 comments

The Ironman Triathlon based in Kailua Kona, Hawaii, involves a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride followed by a 26.2 mile marathon. This Saturday, Robert McKeague, at age 80, hopes to be the oldest person to finish Ironman Hawaii.
posted by Hanover Phist on Oct 14, 2005 - 23 comments

Asafa Powell has set a new 100 meters world record.
posted by Elpoca on Jun 14, 2005 - 15 comments

Taking the adage "be prepared" to the next level Eric, a thirty year old electrician from Lyons, France, has made the record books for having the "most practical suit of clothing". Often dubbed "The Human Penknife" Eric has no less that 1,300 useful objects, ranging from a humble toothbrush to a soldering iron, arranged in carefully designed pouches sewn into his clothing. What won't you leave home without?
posted by lucien on Nov 13, 2002 - 29 comments

New 100m world record
"Once again, the 100m record holder is truly the fastest man on earth"
posted by daveg on Sep 15, 2002 - 19 comments

Will the world's longest tongue please stand up? Annika might soon pass the Gene Simmons crown to another. Collis's tongue is 1cm longer, but he's also ten years older.
posted by skallas on Jan 23, 2002 - 7 comments

It's official... Kids at Paddock Elementary School love hugging!!
posted by KLAX on Jan 15, 2002 - 5 comments

Making plans for 2008
It's the feel good story of the day. A 12 year-old German school girl gets her place in the Guinness Book of Records for her tounge.
"I'm just proud that now people everywhere can read about me and my tongue." [via BoingBoing]
posted by DragonBoy on Dec 21, 2001 - 32 comments