Shropshire archers target world records with 31-hour session - with video
Three Shropshire men spent 31 hours firing arrows at targets in an attempt to break four world records at the same time.
Members of Bowbrook Archers, at Hollowdene, near Withington, shot a combined total of 4,797 arrows, scored 35,411 points and walked more than 12 miles each between the shooting line and targets.
The club’s chairman Sam Dixon, secretary Neil Clarke and member James Beckett took part in the world-record attempt as an open day took place on Saturday.
About £800 was raised for Sport Relief between the archery world-record attempt and the open day.
Mr Clarke, 57, from Shrewsbury, said: “We had a lot of witnesses, videoed everything and kept statements and lots of photographs, which will be submitted to Guinness World Records.
“We know we broke the records based on what the current timings are.
“At the open day, we had various archery-led challenges, a bring and buy sale and refreshments. It was one big Sport Relief weekend.
“As we are a community club, we try and do things to put archery out into the community and get people involved.
Longbow
“It’s fantastic for both your mental and physical health. It’s a great sport for those of us who can’t necessarily run a marathon or go to the gym. It’s as difficult or hard as you make it.”
The men carried out their attempt between 9am on Friday and 4pm on Saturday.
Neil’s record was 31 hours of archery with a longbow, while James, a 34-year-old business owner from Telford, set a record of 31 hours with a compound bow and 62-year-old Sam, the owner of Home Farm at Attingham, set records of 31 hours with a recurve bow and a record for someone classed as a veteran.
Mr Clarke added: “I was absolutely fine doing it, I didn’t get tired, but the other two did. James said it was more difficult with a compound bow as there’s more weight involved. We worked out that over the 31 hours it was the equivalent of each of us pulling 40 tonnes.
“We had fantastic support from a lot of the members and a superb back up team which kept us going with refreshments.”
Evidence from witnesses, including video footage will be sent to Guinness World Records to be verified in the coming months.
