We know you lovely lot are affectionate to your fellow Londoners, but would you be able to hug someone for over 24 hours, in an attempt to smash a world record for the world’s longest hug? Yes?! Well here’s your chance to hug someone you quite like and get into the Guinness book of records at the same time.
Hopeful record breakers plus crowds of supporters will get together by ‘The Meeting Place’ statue at St Pancras station THIS THURSDAY to break the record for the ‘longest marathon hug’. The winning couple will need to beat the current record of 24 hours 33 minutes. The record will start at 7am and end at 7.35 on Friday 20 January. So, just a whole day, and a bit more….
BUT what does it take to break a world record for the longest hug?
1. The hug must be continuous and both arms must be wrapped round each other at all times during the full embrace.
2. If embrace weakens or parts, the couple are immediately disqualified.
3. Contestants must be over the age of consent in the country in which the event is taking place.
4. The couple must be awake at all times.
5. Moving the position of the arms during the attempt is not permitted. If a participant has an itch or needs something altered on their body (e.g. to blow their nose) then the witness is permitted to aid them to do this so they do not loosen their embrace.
6. The contestants must stand during the attempt and cannot be propped together by any aids, such as pillows, cushions or people.
7. The couple must not leave the venue during the attempt.
8. Rest breaks are the only time where the participants are permitted to use the toilet.
And if you need an extra push to get involved in the hugging marathon, listen to what professional hug-oligist Jean Smith has tosay:
“Hugs, like chocolate, promote feelings of happiness, which translates into oxytocin being released in our brain.”
Bet you want to get involved now, don’t you? If you fancy being a hugger or supporting the huggers on the day you can find out more at worldrecordhug.com
