He’s done it.
Sunshine Coast media identity Steve Hirst has broken the Guinness Book of Records by pushing a lawnmower for 107.5 km over a 24 hour period, completing the challenge at 7am Saturday at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
Steve surpassed the previous record which is held by Andy Maxfield at a distance of 92.80 km (57.66 miles) in the UK back in 2019.
Steve said he was pleased to take the world record title but was even more thrilled to achieve his $70,000 fundraising goal for local charity IFYS so they can purchase a new VW Transporter for the Old Church Youth Accommodation to use as a shuttle bus to help them deliver their range of support and intervention programs for children, young people and families.
“This is one of the toughest things I have ever done but I felt really comfortable after reaching the half way mark of the previous record after seven hours. All the physical training and recovery work I did over the past few months has certainly paid off along with the outstanding support team lead by Paul Morton and Louise O’Keeffe from IFYS.
“I was also blessed with some great weather and some ripping tunes and podcasts which kept me going well into the night and the following morning. I’m pleased to have it done and dusted and I’m looking forward to showing my son Kobe in the next edition of the Guinness Book of Records,” he said.
IFYS marketing manager Paul Morton said Steve’s achievement was an incredible result and a testament to his physical and mental strength.
“When Steve told me what he was aiming to do I knew he would achieve the world record because he’s such a determined fellow and he’s been really committed to supporting the work we do at IFYS.
“It’s an incredible result and it’s great that his name will be etched in history,” Paul said.
Steve’s sponsors include Cricks Sunshine Coast, Queensland Easy Building Solutions, Sunshine Coast Hotels, Big Kart Track, Sajen legal, The Big Mower, Go Transit Media Group, Performance Physiotherapy, Sea FM and Southern Cross Austereo.
For more information or to make a donation, visit 24 Hour Mower Challenge.
