A 30-Hour Pickleball Marathon in London Smashes World Record

Michael Salm

Director of Ops

Last Edited

Sep 30 2024

Category

News

Four Londoners just made pickleball history, setting a new Guinness World Record for the Longest Marathon Playing Pickleball (doubles).

Recreational players may brag about their five-hour play sessions. But leader Tony Matharu and three others rallied through some very British weather for 30 hours straight.

The team battled through on a pop-up court at Tower Hill.

“This record was about showcasing London's innovation and sporting excellence," Matharu said. "But it was also a chance to raise awareness and funds for charity."

If you think marathons are just for runners, think again. This was a grind, a test of mental toughness, and some serious leg cramps.

The action went down as part of the Sports Fest 2024, and while London may not be known as a pickleball hub just yet, these players are putting the city on the map.

Though there are signs that pickleball is making headway in England. The record attempt took place about a month after England's largest pickleball tournament to date.

Angelo and Ettore Rossetti, American brothers, set their own Guinness World Record back in 2021 with a rally of 16,046 shots in just over six hours. They were back at it in 2024, chasing an unconfirmed record for the longest volley rally with over 10,000 shots in just two hours.

But no one has pulled off a 30-hour marathon...until now.

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