The Guinness World Record for the Longest Marathon Playing Outdoor Bowls (Singles) currently stands at 32 hours and 34 minutes, set by Adam Dally and Carl Rattley of the UK at Earls Barton Bowls Club, Northamptonshire, on 17–18 June 2022.

In the challenge, two players compete in a continuous singles match of outdoor lawn bowls for as long as possible, with play continuing day and night. Guinness World Records rules allow only very limited breaks during the attempt, meaning competitors must maintain concentration, skill, and physical endurance for more than a full day of non-stop competition.

The 2022 record attempt captured the imagination of the bowls community. Dally and Rattley originally set out to celebrate the centenary of their local club, eventually surpassing the previous record by several hours in front of supporters who watched them battle fatigue, changing weather conditions, and the mental demands of marathon play.

Breaking this record is about far more than simply staying awake. Lawn bowls requires consistent precision, focus, and control — even small lapses in concentration can decide an end. Maintaining that level of performance for over 30 hours of continuous play makes this one of the most demanding endurance challenges in the sport.

Under Guinness World Records rules, the match must be continuously played, carefully documented, and verified by independent witnesses and timekeepers, with video evidence recorded throughout the entire attempt.

Our attempt aims to push beyond the current mark by targeting around 36 hours of play, setting a new benchmark for endurance in lawn bowls while celebrating the sport and raising awareness for our chosen charitable cause.

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ITV segment from the last record: https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2022-06-19/its-been-emotional-bowls-pair-smash-world-record-for-longest-outdoor-match