Man pedals way into Guinness Book of World RecordsAssociated Press
BURR RIDGE, Ill. -- George Hood, who hoped to pedal his way into the Guinness Book of World Records, got his wish Saturday night.
The 49-year-old Aurora resident began riding a stationary bike at the Five Seasons Sports Club in Burr Ridge at 4 a.m. Wednesday and surpassed the previous record of 82 hours by 8:28 p.m. Saturday. He stopped several minutes before midnight after completing his goal of 85 hours.
"He's very grateful -- and very tired," said Matt Baron, a spokesman for Five Seasons.
Baron said Hood was talking and thanking his supporters right up to the end, but was taken by paramedics to Adventist Hinsdale Hospital as a precaution after he got off the bike.
"He'll be under observation for a while, and they're going to administer fluids," Baron said.
The current record of 82 hours was set last year by Brian Overkaer of Denmark.
Getting the accomplishment by the Drug Enforcement Administration supervisor into the Guinness Book may take several weeks as officials need to certify the record, Baron said.
As Hood was nearing the 82nd hour -- and had spun more than 1,000 miles -- he sped up.
The 23-year federal law enforcement veteran had been averaging about 12.7 miles per hour. Coming down the final stretch, he cycled at 13.5 miles per hour.
About 200 people gathered at the club to cheer him on.
Hood hopes the feat will help raise thousands of dollars for the Illinois chapter of COPS, an organization that helps the families of slain police officers. Illinois COPS president Jennifer Morales has said Hood could be the largest single fundraiser the local group has had.
Baron said Hood raised $25,000 for the group -- $5,000 more than his set goal.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press