New world record set in Warwickshire as Matt Cooper pulls a car for 36 miles
IT may look like a new, greener way to travel, but pulling a car for mile after mile is probably not the answer to climate change and pollution.
It is the answer, however, to raising money for charity and getting your name listed in Guinness World Records.
That was Matt Cooper’s aim when he set out in the early hours of Thursday (7th September). At the Home Guard Club in Tiddington, the 30-year-old had targeted setting two records while pulling a road going vehicle: the fastest marathon and the furthest distance.
While the near record 29C heat hindered the fastest marathon attempt, Matt did manage to beat the distance record by four miles – finishing with an amazing (and exhausting) 36 miles.
“We started four hours earlier than planned to make the most of the cooler temperatures,” Matt told the Herald, “but it was just too hot.”
Matt, who grew up in Wellesbourne and now lives in Banbury, said he kept going non-stop for most of the challenge, taking just a few quick rests during the hottest parts of the days.
That meant a gruelling effort lasting more than 60 hours.
At the end, Matt said he felt “relieved, hot and overwhelmed”.
“I was thinking it would be a small affair, with just family and friends but it was massive,” he added. “[The challenge] was picked up by national media, so there was a lot of interest. It was a bit overwhelming.”
But it was all worth it as, so far, Matt has raised more than £3,000, twice his target. That money will be going to Beat, a charity which supports people with eating disorders.
“This is a charity very close to me,” he explained. “I had severe body dysmorphia which is that you think you look a certain way in the mirror, but you really don’t.
“I have also had friends and family who suffered from eating disorders.”
The charity also deals with the fallout of people who are taken in by quick-fix fad diets and those impacted by social media and how it presents certain body images.
Matt, who plays rugby, cycles and goes to the gym, said a big thank you to everyone who supported his challenge, especially the Home Guard Club which allowed him to use its cycling track.
On Tuesday Matt was putting together his data from his smartwatch and Strava app to send off to Guinness World Records to make his record-breaking official.
He was then heading to Spain for a well-earned two-week break… and to think about his next fund-raising effort.
To donate to Matt’s fundraising, visit https://justgiving.com/fund-raising/matt-cooper-doublecarmarathon. To find out more about Beat, visit www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk.
