Guinness World Records Gamers Edition 2009

London, UK - 20 April, 2009 - Glasgow experienced a weekend of record-breaking as members from gaming community Ready Up set a brand new world record for the longest marathon playing a racing game. The tenacious team of six, led by Kirsten Kearney, kicked off the record attempt at 10:00 am on Saturday 18th April, at the ESC Gaming Centre -- and spent the succeeding 24 hours propped down on bean bags playing Burnout Paradise with only a few short breaks. At 10:00 am on Sunday 19th April, the successful record attempt culminated in an official certificate presentation by Guinness World Records adjudicators who were present to witness the achievement.

A proud, and exhausted, Kearney said: "I am so thankful to our team and supporters from Ready Up for seeing this challenge through. Half way through the attempt I started to doubt whether I would be able to stay awake, but as the night continued I actually became more alert, and by the time we finished I was just so excited that we'd made it into next year's Gamer's Edition with a new world record that I didn't even feel tired anymore."

The record breaking feat served as a fundraiser for gaming charity GamesAid and nearly a hundred online gamers stepped in at different points to join the six record breakers during their 24 hours of continuous play.

Video games record manager Gaz Deaves said: “I’d like to congratulate Kirsten and her team on behalf of Guinness World Records for an impressive demonstration of endurance and skill. This was a brand new record category for us and hopefully Ready Up’s attempt will inspire other gamers to break their own records and get into the book.”

Now in its second year of publishing, Guinness World Records 2009 Gamer's Edition is a comprehensive compilation of highest scores and record breaking achievements across all games and consoles. Among more than 200 pages of records, the book also features facts from the history of gaming, banned and controversial games and the top 50 console games of all time.

Media Contact: Karolina Thelin, press@guinnessworldrecords.com - 0207 891 4518

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About Guinness World Records

Guinness World Records is the universally recognized authority on record-breaking achievement. First published in 1955, the annual Guinness World Records book is published in more than 100 countries and 25 languages and is one of the highest-selling books under copyright of all time with more than 3 million copies sold annually across the globe. Guinness World Records celebrated its 50th anniversary edition in 2004, a year after the sale of its 100 millionth copy. Guinness World Records also annually publishes the Gamer's Edition; a records book devoted solely to the world of computer gaming and high score record achievements. The Guinness World Records website ( www.guinnessworldrecords.com) receives more than 11 million visitors a year. Guinness World Records is part of the Jim Pattison Group, one of Canada's largest privately owned companies which is a conglomerate of interests, including advertising, broadcasting, grocery stores and automotive retailing.