Sir William Borlase Grammar School are having to postpone their much-anticipated Burpee Challenge World Record Attempt this Thursday (14th Nov) due to unsafe conditions created by the recent poor weather. The school has taken advice from Guinness World Records who agreed with the results of a recent risk assessment which said the event should be deferred until conditions on the school field improve.
“The torrential rain over half term has turned the main school field into a quagmire and unfortunately it has been deemed as unsafe for more than 1,500 people, including nearly 100 primary children, to do a workout on it,” explained headteacher Ms Mountfield. “We considered moving the event to indoor venues but we really do need the expanse of the school field for a project of this magnitude. We are hugely disappointed but determined to still go ahead with the fundraising event, most likely in the Spring when the weather is less likely to scupper us for a second time.”
The school had hoped to hold the event on Guinness World Record Day itself (14th November). The school is now liaising with Guinness World Records to find a mutually agreeable Spring date so the challenge to seize the world record from current holders, the Dubai Police force, can go ahead.
Borlase, which recently won a longed-for grant to build a much-needed new sports hall, was undertaking the huge challenge to promote fitness while also raising funds to equip the new hall with a fitness studio and new sports equipment. Other fundraising events, including a 5k off-road trail run, are also in the pipeline and due to be announced soon.
In the last few weeks alone hundreds had signed up for the Burpee challenge and had generously donated towards the fundraising efforts.
Ms Mountfield added: “I’d like to thank the community and the people of Marlow for all their support and would like to reassure all potential participants and marshals that we will definitely still go ahead, albeit in a few months time. As soon as a new date is agreed with Guinness World Records we will let everyone know.”
Anyone who volunteered to marshall or signed up as a participant and made a donation is welcome to remain on the participant list for the event which will go ahead when the weather improves in the Spring. If anyone would prefer to have their donation towards the £60k needed for the new school Fitness Suite refunded please contact the school on: enquiries@swbgs.com.
