30 May 2017

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Ever tried to solve a Rubiks cube while out running? Now imagine doing it 176 times while you run a full marathon!

That’s the challenge Christchurch personal trainer Blair Williamson has set himself as he attempts to break the Guinness World Record for the number of times he can solve a Rubiks cube while running the ASB Christchurch Marathon this weekend.

“I guess it is a bit crazy, and it’s certainly a bit more involved than I realised when I came up with the idea, but I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be a challenge for sure. The current record is 175 times. 

Personal trainer Blair Williamson

Personal trainer Blair Williamson will attempt to set a Guinness World Record at this weekend's ASB Christchurch Marathon.

“A friend of mine had sent me a link to the Guinness website to look at another record on chin ups and I just started surfing through the website. I saw this record and thought well I’ve run a few marathons so I can do that part of it, and I can solve a Rubiks cube, so why not?”

After a 10 minute try out with a Rubiks cube on the treadmill, Williamson decided to apply to the Guinness Record team to attempt the record, and got the go ahead two weeks ago.

“I’ve been training, assuming I would get the go ahead. In one of my training runs I’ve done a half marathon and managed to complete the cube 100 times so I think I’m on target to do it. I need to complete the marathon in under five hours and that side of it shouldn’t be a problem.”

Williamson will run with a support crew of three people, and use just two Rubiks cubes to complete the challenge.

Running in front of him will be a person carrying a backpack holding a camera to record the entire event. Running beside him will be a person to hold each completed cube and show it to the camera to verify he has completed it. And running behind him will be the person who mixes up each solved cube. That person must complete 50 movements of the cube to completely mix it up.

“I plan to start at the back of the pack of runners, just to give ourselves a bit more room for the support crew. Then I’ll try maintain a steady pace through until 4 hours 45minutes. I then hope to walk the last kilometre so I can get some more cubes in. That’s the plan anyway!”

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