21st November 2022. In September, NCI National Treasurer Graeme Gordon completed his “Million Metre Challenge” at Marlow Rowing Club. His goal was to complete 1,000km on a rowing machine at the club in the shortest possible time, and Graeme completed it in 6 days, 12 hours, 4 minutes and 34 seconds which earned him the Individual World Record for 1,000,000 metres, in the 60-69 and 50-59 age category.

Graeme rowed from 6am to 11pm, eating and sleeping at Marlow Rowing Club with many adjudicators ensuring he completed each 10km, and the time was noted. In under 7 days, with countless bananas, cakes & protein shakes, positive pep talks from Sir Steve Redgrave CBE, Prof Greg Whyte OBE, Mike Spracklen OBE and Naomi Riches MBE, as well as blisters in places we shall not mention, he beat the previous record of 6 days, 14 hours and 29 minutes.  Graeme said “I fully admit that on at least five occasions I felt and thought I should stop. But I tried ‘just once more’ each time and kept going. Thanks to a magnificent back up team, we got the record. If anyone wants to break it, they are most welcome – I am happy for them to try!”