New Guinness World Record
Four darts players from the Red Dragon sponsored Red Dragon & Horses darts team have made their way into the record book for the second time following a mammoth 30 hours at the oche.
Richard Saunders, Lee Hannant, Andy Brymer and Paul Taylor, who play in the J&K Construction Wokingham Darts League, were former holders of the longest doubles darts marathon record when they set a time of 25 hours 34 minutes back in January 2007. When four players from Australia reset the bar at 27 hours 22 minutes in 2008, the Red Dragon players set out to get their record back.
Playing at The Waggon & Horses pub in Twyford, Berkshire the quartet completed their 30 hour marathon playing 343 games of 501, throwing 20,500 darts and walking 19.5 miles between the Blade III dartboard and oche. Under Guinness World Record rules they were allowed a five minute rest for every hour of completed play. Their tactics were to play for four hours and then take 20 minutes rest. Having reviewed statements from witnesses as well as video highlights and other evidence, Guinness World Record has now confirmed the new record.
"We started the idea of a Guinness World Record for darts marathons back in 2007 as a way of raising money for charity," says Richard. "At that time there was a record for singles, but nothing for doubles. Since then there has been at least one official Guinness World Record attempt each year which is great because ultimately charities are the winners. Our two successful attempts alone have raised more than £15,000 for Cancer Research UK and The Multiple Sclerosis Society."
Fellow record holder, Lee Hannant added: "We all play in our local pub darts league and are mad keen darts fans. We think Simon Whitlock is great, but we couldn’t let his compatriots have our record!"