Montrose pair Mark and Lisa smash a squash world record

SPORT: Players achieve the longest non-stop rally for charity

Angus squash players Lisa Aitken and Mark James have broken a world record for charity – despite failing at the first attempt.

The Montrose pair smashed the record for the longest non-stop squash rally at Montrose Squash Centre reaching 3,606 strokes in one hour 16 minutes which surpassed the previous record by 198 shots.

Mark James is a serial world record holder having held the longest non-stop squash rally record on three previous occasions, including twice with fellow Montrose player Peter Buchan.

He has also broken the record for the most consecutive squash matches played non-stop and the longest match – lasting 45 hours – both completed at the Angus venue.

This latest record was not all plain sailing however, with the pair’s first attempt failing just under the 2,000 shot mark.

But cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd they went again and broke the record.

Lisa Aitken, Scotland’s number one squash player, who begins her PSA Tour season at the Open de France in Nantes next month, said: “I’ve known Mark for a long time. He coaches me when I’m back in Montrose so I was only too happy to give it a go.

“It was a really good test of concentration. That’s what it takes, just toughing it out for more than an hour and challenging your concentration levels.

“There were posters and banners up in Montrose Sports Centre promoting the record attempt and squash and the next time I went into the centre people were asking me how it went.

“That’s the important thing for me and I am keen to be involved in anything that raises the profile of squash.

“It was for charity as well so that makes you even more determined to succeed.”

Mark’s record-breaking exploits have already raised thousands of pounds for the Nyumbani HIV children’s charity in Kenya.

This latest record was to raise funds for a young boy in Dundee, Garvie Winter, who has been fighting leukaemia most of his life.

The youngster was diagnosed in October 2017 and since then has endured numerous rounds of chemotherapy, but as of yet little has changed in his condition.

Mark said: “Garvie is a very sick boy unfortunately. I know his grandmother and I was keen to raise funds for him.

“It’s also nice to break another world record and hopefully it can inspire more kids to play squash.”

“I am keen to be involved in anything that raises the profile of squash.

LISA AITKEN