Maple Ridge man reaching for the sky
WORLD RECORD: Counsellor wants to establish Guinness standard for riding to each of the SkyTrain stops
A Maple Ridge man will be trying to set a Guinness world record for the fastest time travelling the entire SkyTrain system.
On Friday, Stephen Quinlan plans to ride to all 53 stations on the Expo, Millennium, Canada and Evergreen lines in under the three hours stipulated by Guinness and establish a world record for travel on the Lower Mainland’s rapid-transit line.
“We start at Richmond-Brighouse at about 1:30 p.m., then we aim to be at VCC-Clark, hopefully, before 4:30 p.m.,” said Quinlan.
Originally from the U.K., Quinlan moved to B.C. more than two decades ago. He was inspired by the London Tube Challenge, the longest-running challenge of this type tracked by Guinness since 1960.
Quinlan started on his Metro Vancouver quest about a year ago, submitting the idea to Guinness last March. He’s completed about 10 practice runs, checking times, refining routes and measuring distances.
For instance, Quinlan has determined the car on the east side of the platform of Lougheed Town Centre
Station is 220 steps closer to the Evergreen Line transfer compared with the west side of the platform.
His practice sessions culminated in a full rehearsal Sunday when he completed the run in less than three
hours, gathering bemused looks from SkyTrain riders along the way.
In order for Guinness to consider his submission, Quinlan has to submit a photo of himself at each station with the train door open and the station sign in the background as evidence. The photos need to be date stamped and geotagged.
He’ll be travelling with a team, including an official timekeeper, two independent witnesses, a photographer, videographer and team captain, his son Cameron, whose duties include “keeping me in check,” Quinlan said with a laugh.
“I can get very excited. He’s there to calm me and remind me to get the photograph,” he said.
Quinlan’s attempt isn’t just for the record books, but also for a good cause. The race is a fundraiser for Alouette Addictions Services, where Quinlan works as a counsellor. Four years ago, the group launched a substance literacy program for elementary schools in Maple Ridge and is looking to expand its services to other school districts. Donations can be made through the website fastestskytrain.ca.
Living in a community not served by SkyTrain, Quinlan said he wasn’t an experienced SkyTrain rider before he embarked on his trial runs.
“But the more I look into it, the more I think we are incredibly lucky to have the SkyTrain system,” he said. “I’m a big fan of public transit. I really hope it grows. The city needs it.”
He’s not worried about mechanical breakdowns on SkyTrain. His biggest fear is track intrusion, which would likely send his attempt off the rails.
“But that’s beyond my control,” said Quinlan.
Once he sets the record, he said he’ll be happy to have someone surpass it in the future, adding he’d willingly share his cheat sheet.
“Records are for the breaking,” Quinlan said.
“We start at RichmondBrighouse at about 1:30 p.m., then we aim to be at VCC-Clark ... before 4:30 p.m.” — Stephen Quinlan