22-year-old English cricketer runs 100km (Image: X/BBC)
“I’m very tired, I lost a lot of sleep, but it was all for an amazing cause,” Bodoano said.
English club cricketer and endurance athlete Sam Bodoano has completed an extraordinary 62-mile (100km) run from Lord’s Cricket Ground in London to Valley End Cricket Club in Woking, Surrey, in an attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the longest run-up before bowling a cricket ball. Bodoano, 22, from Worplesdon near Guildford, Surrey, began his run at Lord’s on Saturday and completed the gruelling journey around 14 hours later at Valley End Cricket Club on Sunday. His challenge culminated in him bowling the opening delivery of an 11-a-side match to his father. Despite the physical demands of the challenge, Bodoano completed the run for a charitable cause, raising almost £6,000 (Rs 7,64,513) for The Ruth Strauss Foundation, a cancer charity founded by former England captain Sir Andrew Strauss.
A Guinness World Records spokesperson said the application would need to go through the formal evidence review process before the record could be officially confirmed. To meet the requirements for the record attempt, Bodoano had to complete the entire 100km journey in full cricket whites while carrying a cricket ball. He then had to take part in a cricket match and deliver the opening ball. Guinness World Records has not yet officially recognised the achievement While Bodoano has completed the challenge and believes he has surpassed the existing mark. The organisation’s evidence review and verification process is still under way.
Bodoano’s Endurance Credentials and Coaching Role
Bodoano is a seasoned endurance athlete with a diverse competitive background. He has participated in the England Hockey Men’s Premier League and has completed notable events such as the London Marathon and Ironman Wales. Additionally, he secured a third-place finish in a challenging 112-mile backyard ultra-marathon. Beyond his athletic pursuits, Bodoano serves as a running coach and content creator, sharing his expertise with others in the sport.