After months of preparation, and 41 straight hours of sweat, tears, injury, and dodge balls soaring through Glenbrook Gymnasium, Castleton students have finally broken a Guinness world record – for the longest running dodge ball marathon, ever.

20 student athletes, were organized by former CSC hockey player Lindsey Gullett and teammate Brett Zeggil to play dodge ball for an organization called Right To Play; an organization whose mission is to improve the lives of children in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the world by using the power of sport and play for development, health and peace.

At first everything thing seemed to be going smoothly, until about 3 a.m, on the first night of play, there was a technical issue with the clock. It was taped to the tripod, and the tape began coming unstuck. This caused the battery to be slightly pulled out, and the clock to tilt, which affected how the hands of the clock were functioning.

After Guinness rep Manu Gautam addressed the problem with Gullett, he received a notification saying “Congratulations! Your claim has been approved.”

“When I read this, I was extremely relieved,” said Gullett, “Knowing how much was put into this record attempt by so many people, it would have been a tough pill to swallow if it wasn’t completed.”

Gullett also started a Right To Play chapter at Castleton, and by the end of the weekend, they had raised $7,353.77for the organization.

“I’m still on a high from what was accomplished in the money raised for Right To Play and the commitment that was shown by all athletes and volunteers,” said Gullett.

Castleton now has 17 current World Record holders walking around campus, as well as three alumni who graduated this past spring.

“It feels pretty surreal to share a world record with 20 fellow athletes,” said record holder Dan Bell, “It’s pretty cool to think that Castleton is known worldwide now, especially for such a great cause.

The trophy is displayed in the trophy case in Glenbrook Gymnasium as well as an honorary-signed team jersey from the tournament.