media_artricles :: 2014

Nurse wants aid for world record run

Patriot Willon Ivan Nurse has a dream to one day have his name in the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest distance running with a national flag within 24 hours.

Nurse recently competed at the 11th Edition of the UWI-SPEC International Half Marathon which he completed in three hours, 21 minutes and 26 seconds to finish 865th overall out of the 907 participants. He also used the half marathon as preparation for his world record attempt which he is expecting to chase towards the end of next year as long as he is able to receive the necessary sponsorship and support from various organisations and the Ministry of Sport.

The record needs to be set in Trinidad and Tobago but the location is yet to be determined. “We still have to choose the area; we still have to call the people at Guinness Book; get media; get my team ready; get sponsorship for that big event because it’s not really an easy task. It’s really difficult to prepare for something like that which costs a lot of money,” he explained.

“I need sponsorship, I need help. I really cannot do it by myself. It calls for a lot of preparation and for people to come onboard and support.

I would really like the Ministry of Sport to come on board and support. If our government would support our athletes in everything we do Trinidad and Tobago can be on top of the world,” he declared.

The 39-year-old believes that this world record attempt would not only bring attention to the country but also inspire other people from around the world to take up the challenge.

“This won’t be just for Willon Ivan Nurse alone but for the whole of Trinidad and Tobago, for the whole of the Caribbean region also,” Nurse added.

He noted that his reason for running with the national flag has often been questioned.

“It’s not only running with the national flag of Trinidad and Tobago, it’s about what it represents. Being able to run with the national flag is being able to represent my country,” he explained.

Persons interesting in supporting or sponsoring Nurse can contact him at nurse80@hotmail.com or on his Facebook page, Willon Rocket Ivan Nurse.

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