Chuck Norris 5K – Guinness world record in the race with Chuck Norris

Instead of tired legs, the runners of the Chuck Norris 5K will have sore hands after receiving a high five from the legend at the finish line. What happened first, of course, after going around the world fast enough to hit a bullet in the head.

More than 5,000 people from 48 states and seven countries came to College Station, Texas on Saturday morning to take part in the first 5 km road race organized by the actor and legend of the martial arts.

"It's so much fun to see so many Chuck fans here. It's a bit like Comic-Con for Chuck nerds and I'm at the heart of this adventure, "said Joel Strbader, one of the participants in the race. Runner's World. Strbader, who has a framed photo of Norris in his bathroom, has traveled all the way from Yelm, in Washington State, to see his favorite movie star.

"Did I mention that Chuck Norris had made me a hug? It was probably the best moment of my life so far, "he said. "Do not tell my wife."

Strbader was one of the thousands of spectators who took part in the race. It was also an attempt to break the world record for the most people dressed like Chuck Norris in one place.

Derek Call

"We knew that if we did that, we would not want it to be a 5 km where Chuck Norris would wave to people or something, so we wanted it to be as centered as possible on Chuck," organized the race Chris Field said Runner's World.

They wanted Chuck Norris's race to be invaded by Chuck Norrises: at the entrance, each participant was given a racing uniform – including a Chuck Norris beard – to help achieve this record, but many arrived in their ranks . own unique version of the Chuck Norris look.

"We took this clbadic image of Chuck Norris in a sleeveless denim shirt and made a technical shirt that looks like this," Field said. "Everyone has the beard we gave them. The medal also serves as a belt buckle.

From red beards to cowboy boots to denim coats and shorts, runners from across the country arrived in their finest costume. Walker, Texas Ranger star. Before the runners took off at the start line, thousands of people gathered for a photo with Norris, which the race organizers then submitted to Guinness in the hope of breaking the world record.

"It was really powerful to see Chuck in person and see him in all his glory walking around there. It was really powerful, very strong, it was worth it, "said Lila Strbader. "So excited that I saw this and had photos and shook her hand, this one here, I'm not going to wash her for a week. Ok, it's a lie, but it's really very exciting.

One hundred percent of the proceeds of the race went to charity – the Mercy Project, a non-profit organization working to end child slavery in Ghana, Africa and Kickstart Kids, a program created by Norris that focuses on the teaching of martial arts, self-discipline and the acquisition of character skills.

The course was designed for runners to start and end outside the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library, which is of particular importance to Norris, who has parachuted with President George H. W. Bush turns 80 in 2004.

The race was held in the morning after a storm that caused flood warnings in the area, but came off just in time for the competition.

"Satan tried to stop all this, but God came and said," No, we will not stop, "said Norris to the crowd on the podium." God is this who has moved me forward. "

Derek Call

After listening to Norris' brief introductory remarks, the runners sprinted to the starting line with the same enthusiasm that led Norris to run a marathon in just three miles, according to legend.

A little less than 18 minutes later, the first rider arrived at the finish line. With a fake beard stuck in his face, Kentaro Iio, Texas A & M student, won the title of the race and became the first rider to shake hands with Norris.

"I'm happy to have won with this beard because it was rather uncomfortable," said Iio after the victory. "It was really an unforgettable moment to shake Chuck Norris's hand."

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For 90 minutes, the race organizers left the course open to older walkers and walkers of toddlers in strollers to the oldest participant who, at age 96, completed the wheelchair course. All were there for the ultimate fan prize, a big five at Norris after completing the distance.

"There are not many people, celebrities who will take the time. I mean, it was hot for us, and hot for him too, he was standing in the sun and standing in front of the crowd, "said runner Kate Sueoka. "I think it's very admirable."

While the riders still have to wait for the official confirmation that they were the most important group of Chuck Norrises gathered at the same place, the fingers intersect to win the record. Although there is an asterisk: on the last page of the Guinness World Records book, it is noted that Chuck Norris is actually the owner of all records, and that those listed are simply the closest ones that whoever got.