Old George looking to etch name World Record Books

Earl “Ole George” Daniel believes that it is no mere coincidence that he stayed in hotel room 237, later moved to hotel room 367, was given seven ears of corn and seven limes by a man in Jamaica for good luck.

Starting his walk at 5:37 pm on September 19, he finished at 5:37 pm a week later and lost seven pounds after the seven day walk.{{more}}

Speaking at a welcoming ceremony held at the VIP lounge at the E.T. Joshua airport, last Thursday, Ole George confessed that his urge to walk for “seven” days had several other uncanny confirmations and believed that seven was the number of completion to achieving his goal.

The trained social worker who walked for a week without sleep in Emancipation Park Jamaica, said that if he completed the task he could motivate Caribbean people into believing that anything was possible once they put their minds to it.

He emphasied “everyone has a purpose to achieve and whatever God created you for you need to do it because your country needs your input. So let’s put our feet to the road and look at the bigger prize”.

Noting that that price of success was much higher than making it into the Guinness Book of World Records, Ole George admitted that if he is entered into the renowned publication he would use it as a catalyst to mobilize people into their potential.

Sharing similar sentiment was Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonalves who described the activity as “an exercise of patriotism and regional integration” and admitted that he was very proud of both Ole George and Butcher although Butcher was unable to complete the walk because of a sprained ankle. Gonsalves who made a lap around Emancipation Park in Jamaica with Ole George noted that the walk was challenging and promised to materially reward both men for their contribution whether or not they were given recognition by the Guinness World Records.

Opposition leader Arnhim Eustace charactersied the pair as icons of the country and said that they exemplified a standard of determination for the greater good that few people, notably politicians failed to set for the country. He also praised the family of both men for their support and patience during their feat and wished Ole George entry into the Guinness Book of World Records.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Sports, who was out of state, was Director of Sports and Physical Education Nelson Hillocks who commended Ole George and Butcher for their stride. Hillocks noted that his department was on the verge of taking physical education in schools to a higher level and pledged to have the two men play a great role in this revitalisation.

The 43-year-old part time comedian said that despite his nimble limbs he began walking from the time he was a baby at three months, but began doing several marathons with friends for fun in 1982.

But in 1999 Ole George took walking to a higher level in an event dubbed the “Iron Man Walk”, where he treaded for 24 hours from Georgetown to Rose Bank. In 2000 he walked from Richmond to Fancy then for a second time during that same year walked from Fancy to Richmond.

In 2001 Ole George walked for two and a half days from Richmond to Fancy and then back to Kingstown but decided to conquer Barbados in 2003 and trod the entire island in 17 hours.

In 2004 the determined sportsman walked for three and a half days throughout the country, and in March of 2005 Ole George walked for full six days and in July of the same year walked around the island of Barbados in 23 hours.

The avid walker who has applied before for entry into the Guinness Book of World records last year after walking for six days has been denied entry because the publication claimed that they had no category for his feat of walking without sleep.

Now armed with documentation from his team of doctors and nurses in Jamaica, the part time radio talk show host however plans to re-apply for entry under the category of “Medical Marvel” in the Guinness Book of World Records and stressed that he would question how the publication collect their data if he is again denied.

Ole George noted that not only did he walk for seven days without sleep, but he also broke the Guinness Book of Record for carrying a 10-pound weight for three and a half days while walking.

The Vincentian with Troumaca and Murray’s Village roots announced that his next feat would be what he called, “The Last Man Standing” where walkers from around the world would tread the country for as long as they could endure, leaving the last person still walking without sleep as the champion.