Weight for it: Ottawa woman runs entire 10K with 100 lbs. on her back
Exactly 4,000 female runners crossed the finish line ahead of Morgan McKay in the Ottawa 10K road race on Saturday evening.
It’s safe to say, though, that none of them was carrying 100 pounds in barbell weights attached to a modified backpack, as McKay did on her way to a time of one hour 34 minutes 47 seconds.
On Monday, McKay will submit documentation to Guinness World Records in a bid for recognition of the fastest 10-kilometre road race while carrying 100 pounds.
“Why not?” the Ottawa resident said when asked why she devised the record attempt in a brand new category. “I grew up watching the Guinness World Records on TV, and I thought it was the best thing ever. I thought when I grew up, I wanted to set a record on my own.”
McKay said her project began after a scan of other Guinness records turned up one for the fastest time by a man carrying 100 pounds over 10 kilometres cross-country. She then fired off an application to Guinness, which responded with guidelines that included a requirement that her attempt be made in an officially measured Gold Label 10-kilometre road race.
That led her to the start line of the Ottawa 10K on Saturday and, 94 minutes later, to its finish. Based on her own experience in obstaclecourse racing, she was confident she could carry 100 pounds for 10 kilometres, but figured it would be hard for others to match or beat her time.
“I’m pretty exhausted and I’m sore, but I’m so happy, so it’s all worth it,” she said Sunday.
The documentation heading to Guinness on Monday will include a video of the entire distance, an official race report stipulating the 10-kilometre distance and witness statements.