Vincentian man attempts Guinness World record

Old George during one of his walks last year

by Kenton Chance
Caribbean Net News Correspondent

Monday, March 7, 2005

KINGSTOWN, St Vincent:  A Vincentian man will on Tuesday attempt to walk six days “non stop” in an effort to earn a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Earl “Old George” Daniel, who has attempted a number of “iron man” walks before is hoping to achieve recognition not only for himself but also for his country St. Vincent and the Grenadines. 

Daniel has been walking for almost 20 years now and has heard that there is a gentleman somewhere in the world, who has walked for over five days and 11 hours. 

He has decided to raise the bar to six days.

The walk is slated to begin at 5 p.m. next Tuesday, March 8, from Richmond in the northern-most leeward part of mainland St. Vincent. 

Daniel will stop walking when six days elapse. During that period –- expected to cover some 300 miles-- Daniel intends only to change his shoes and engage in the allowed bathroom breaks at the nearest washroom facility.

He said that he participated in his first marathon in 1986 and placed 35th. 

He received a Guinness Book of World Records for his effort and since he read the book he has been itching to put his name in that book.

George has built a reputation in St. Vincent and neighbouring islands as a marathon walker. A few years ago, he and three other Vincentians walked around Barbados in 24 as a promotional stunt for the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Industry.

Speaking at a press briefing at Olympic House on Wednesday, George who will be walking with his team of Otis Sylvester and Joel Butcher said that unlike his other distance walks, this time he would be walking through all the communities on his way to Georgetown, in the north windward side of St. Vincent so that persons can get the chance to lend their support to him during the historic event. 

During the peak period of last year’s Vincy Mas, he engaged in a highly publicized HIV/AIDS Awareness Walk, which was carried live in parts on local radio. 

In that exercise, he walked for three and a half days (85 hours) from July 2 - 4, and covered 125 miles. Plans for similar walks in Grenada and Jamaica were abandoned because of Hurricane Ivan.

Daniel is doing a lot of mental preparation and meditation for the walk. He has placed himself on a regimented diet since he is very conscious of the food groups more than ever because his body has to be conditioned.

He drinks about two and a half litres of water per day. He also does cardiovascular exercises but he admits that the mental aspect is the most difficult of his preparation.

He said that although his doctor has given him the green light to undertake the exercise, he has also cautioned him to abandon the walk if he finds himself getting into difficulty.

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