In threatening weather they came. Through early morning thunderstorms and lunchtime rain. To Twickenham Stoop, home of the Harlequins (rugby team – union and league, for the uninitiated) to do what no group of men had done before: strip to their underwear, and form the word “Cosmo” on the Stoop’s playing surface.
On Sunday, 7 June – on what should have been a warm summer's day – 146 men braved the cold and broke the record for largest gathering of people wearing underpants, as officiated by Guinness World Records™ Adjudicator Paul Kenny. Organized by Cosmopolitan magazine (who have never shied away from asking men to strip for good causes) and supported by Ted Baker London (who donated hundreds of pairs of very classy underwear in five vibrant colours), the event was a fundraiser for Everyman, the male cancer charity who work tirelessly to build awareness of testicular and prostate cancer.
There were all ages, sizes and shapes on display, but they were united by a constant sense of humour, great cheer and patience, as the photographer – on a 24-m (80-ft) crane – snapped them from every possible angle. On hearing that the previous record of 116 people had been beaten, the crowd's jubilation was undeniable – especially among the sea of female partners, friends and supporters who'd come to leer and cheer. It was a record with a difference: it took a lot of... well, you know what I'm going to say, and it was a really fun day out for everyone involved.
Thickest book
On Wednesday, 20 May 2009, Agatha Christie, the “Queen of Crime”, breaks a new world record for the thickest book. For the first time, all the Miss Marple stories – 12 novels and 20 short stories – are collected and published in one volume, for fans and collectors alike.
The Complete Miss Marple runs to a staggering 4,032 pages. Its spine, a work of inspired engineering by master craftsmen, is 322 mm (12.6 in) thick. Agatha Christie already holds two other world records – for the longest running play, The Mousetrap – and as the best-selling fiction author of all time.
In all, 43 murders are solved: 12 poisonings; six strangulations; two drownings; two stabbings; a burning; one blow to the head; one death by an arrow and two people pushed.
There are 68 crimes committed; 11 philandering lovers; 68 secrets and lies; 22 false accusations; 59 red-herrings and 21 romances. A total of 143 cups of tea are drunk in the massive volume, there are 66 maids and 47 garments are knitted.
It is a visually stunning book bound in dark-red leather with gold lettering and red-edged pages. Weighing 8.02 kg (17 lb 10 oz), it is presented in a suede-lined wooden box with brass fittings and a leather handle.
In his preface, Agatha Christie’s grandson, Mathew Prichard, writes: “The character continues to speak to readers some eighty years and more after her debut precisely because, in those quiet moments at the end of the day or when a difficult decision needs to be made, each of us wishes for our own Miss Marple to give clear and unequivocal advice.”
The book was unveiled at Foyles bookshop on Charing Cross Road in London, UK, on 20 May 2009, where Guinness World Records™ Adjudicator John Pilley measured the book and officially announced the record. Agatha Christie’s grandson Mathew Prichard was also present at the unveiling of the record-breaking book.
Largest motorcycle Poker run
On 18 April 2009, the Red Knights International Motorcycle Club achieved a Guinness World Records™ record for organizing the largest motorcycle poker run taking place in multiple venues simultaneously.
A Poker run (also known as a Poker Derby), is an organized event using a motorcycle, boat, car or other form of transportation where participants travel over a predesignated route and, at designated stops on the route, draw playing card(s). The object is to have the best poker hand at the end of the run.
With the participation of 2,136 motorcycles across nine US states in 22 different venues, this event became the largest motorcycle poker run ever organized. Proceeds from the day were to benefit the Fallen Firefighter Survivors Foundation (FFSF).
Guinness World Records Adjudicator Carlos MartÃnez was present in Winter Haven, Florida, to present the organizers with their well-deserved Guinness World Records official certificate. The venue, represented by the Red Knights Florida Chapter 10, attracted the greatest number of bikers in the event, with 321 motorbikes, including the presence of the oldest participant in the event, Ouida "Mema" C. Hamilton.
Sherri Lang, representing the Fallen Firefighter Survivors Foundation, and Matt Nichols, representing the Red Knights International Motorcycle Club, received the certification, which extended to all participating venues.
The Red Knights is a club made up of firefighters and their families, alongside biking enthusiasists in general. They engage exclusively in social, charitable and educational activities. There are more than 225 Red Knights chapters throughout the world, including some in the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Japan and Austria.
The Fallen Firefighter Survivors Foundation was created in memory of the Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician Ben Lang. This foundation offers immediate assistance to the families of any firefighter – paid or volunteer – who dies in the line of duty within the United States. As a result of this first event, the combined efforts of the Red Knights and FFSF raised more than $40,000.
The list of chapters, and the total number of motorbikes
Sherri Lang, representi
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