Phil’s 24 Hour Row

This page shows Phil Craze’s progress as he attempted to beat the indoor rowing record – it all started at 9am Thursday 12th May, and at 08:35 Friday 13th May he beat the age group record (307683m). At the end of the 24 hours, the overall record (313112m) had been beaten by 136m!

A graph of Phil's progress

This is a 24 hour row in aid of the Stroke Association and the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society Scotland. In the process, Phil is attempting to break the age group world record, which has been held for over ten years.

Both these organisations are important to me and if you’d like to support them too, then please visit my Stroke Association fundraising page or my MS Society fundraising page. Thank you in advance for your support.

Note from David T:
To answer all the questions about reading the graph: The pale blue line is how far Phil has done so far, and the red line is how far would be covered if he was matching the record pace (both are attached to the left-hand scale). The dark line is attached to the right-hand scale, and shows how far Phil is ahead of the record pace. I hope that helps make some sense of it!

50 Comments

  1. Kieran Lesforis

    Not sure my fifteen minute cameo served as any sort of inspiration but wanted to show my admiration for such a fantastic achievement. You were looking strong and I know you’ll smash the record to bits!! See you in the morning with Wozza!

  2. Elaine and Calum

    Wayhoo Mr Tutor man! You are on course for an A+++!!!! You are a true inspiring nutter. May your body, mind and spirit be blessed and hold out for you. Much love from the Murrays xx

  3. anut

    i’m off to dream land your doing brilliant will catch up with your progress in the morning. cat good luck to you as well

  4. Mark Linklater

    The responses from this website are really slow – I guess it must be because there are so many people on it following your progress – go Phil.

    Also, you’re up to £1967 for the Stroke Association and £1390 for MS – that’s fantastic too! (but I’m sure us out here can help make these better)

  5. Charles Young

    Amazing performance Phil, keep it up.

  6. John Moos

    Barbara says you are addictive – should I be worried?

  7. G. Jaquier

    Hang in there Phil! Your fan club from California is with you.

  8. Jim T

    177 kilometers. That is over 4 marathons in 13.25 hours. That would be just over 3 hours per marathon.
    Eddie Izzard took days to complete his marathons!

    If you were on the M6, just warning you. The AA tell me there are some speed cameras ahead.

  9. Phil Shimmin

    @John Moos: Esther demanded photos – maybe we should form a support group!

  10. Ross Hunter

    You’re doing amazingly well, keep it up. at least you’ll be first in the office tomorrow !! on holiday so won’t be there to see you smash the record. Best of Luck. Ross

  11. John Moos

    @ Phil S – we’ll put some photos on ebay and let the ladies fight it out between them.
    Barbara is now asking about his clothes after he has finished!!.

  12. Mark Wilson

    Me again Phil – to wax poetical in Kipling style:
    “If you can fill each unforgiving minute
    With sixty seconds worth of distance rowed
    Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it
    And – which is more – the Sea from here to
    John O’Groats!!!

    Heave Ho!

  13. Susan

    Well done Phil – best wishes for the final push

  14. Vicky Davidson

    Well Done….Jack was on about it after rowing at BARC tonight!!!!!!!! Keep going you are nearly there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  15. Debs

    Well done Phil, you’re making fantastic progress! Very proud of you. You’re a legend! Debs

  16. Paul Traynor

    Absolutely amazing Phil! Best wishes for remainder of the row. You can do it!

  17. dad

    Just seen the pics posted by phil, looking good, any of your team got a comb and a mirror.

  18. Ian Clark

    Unbelievable effort and commitment. My wife’s pal wants to know if you’re working tomorrow ? (First question was is he single). I told her you have other plans and other commitments.

  19. Morag Bruce

    Phil,

    You’re an amazing inspiration to us all. I can’t believe how brilliantly you are keeping to the plan. And it must be a huge relief to see those hours just about into single figures now. That means you’re on the home straight – just row now and let every one else take care of you.

    Comments from my household are as follows:

    Mother – “Is he still alive?” (she thinks 60 miles on a bike is a ridiculous undertaking though)

    Eleanor – “Mental!!” (but she had a crazy look in her eyes which worried me – I think I’ve seen it somewhere before…)

    Gregor, upon being asked whether he’d rather row for 24 hours or go to school tomorrow – “Row for 24 hours” (you can educate him next week on the benefits of school over rowing, if there are any!)

    You have both the mental and physical strength to do this. I will see you break the record in the morning.

    All my best wishes
    Morag

  20. Pete McLaughlin

    Phil, 
    When great things are achieved, they are generally achieved by people that are considered exceptional. 
    They nearly always incur a certain amount of physical and mental pain and anguish.
    It is the ability to manage this that makes people exceptional. 

    Phil, by doing this challenge, you are proving yourself exceptional.

    Keep focused, keep calm and ultimately keep the desire that has got you this far and you are sure to succeed. 

    Pete

  21. Pauline Lappin

    Are you still smiling? Looks as though you’re doing really well – keep up the good work. You’re doing more exercise in this 24 hours than I do in a year! See you at the finish line :)

  22. alyson

    Looking good Phil, ….now that I get the graph! Your support is great so many people rooting for you! Including sir Steve, just think about letting him know you achieved something even he never did!

  23. Neil W

    When we spoke yesterday you rated your chances of success as 50:50. Forget that – you’re going to smash this!

    I’m not sure whether to go to bed or just head into the office now to watch. Either way, I’ll be there to cheer you over the line – along with a great many others I suspect.

    Go on!!!

  24. Ian McC

    you’re a local celeb now and a super hero. keep it going buddy :-)

  25. Guy Lomas

    Just letting you know that Internal Audit are watching carefully (but with no intention to check your numbers afterwards).

    Hope that things go well through the night. Keep up the great work.

  26. Gav

    I heard about your marathon and been checking your progress.

    It’s amazing what can be achieved through the power of the mind. Just think how many minds are willing you on now.

    On ye go man!

  27. Pfennig

    Phil

    Having spent less than an hour on a rowing machine and still cramping in my back side 45 mins later – am in absolute awe of what you are doing.

    Forget the records, what you are doing, physically, mentally and for fantastic charities sets a personal standard that is inspiring.

    Good luck – you look in great shape and are on the homeward leg.

    Pfennig

  28. Mick Butler

    Let’s hear it for the through the night support team. Phil has put himself in a great position so keep the positive atmosphere going and I’m sure Phil will prevail.

  29. Glad to see you are ahead of the line. I know you can do it keep going.

  30. Phil Shimmin

    Single figures chap, single figures!

  31. Derek H

    Stick in there Phil, you’re an Aegon legend. I can’t believe that black line is still going up and I hope you can feel everyone willing you on.

    Liz is still out on the lash so I hope she makes it in for her morning support shift.

  32. Gary 'I am the gringo's fatter lazier brother" McSherry

    Agree with Ian – you are a local celebrity and deservedly so – Just think, people will be looking and pointing – there goes that guy with the bandy John Wayne walk, big guns like Arnie and who wears such loverly hair product!!

    Can I get your autograph?!?!?

    Keep it going big chap – you are a true inspiration!!

  33. Gav

    Surely certain criteria must be required to be met before making a record attempt……….and that includes being human!

    I don’t know who you are phil, but you’re a legend!

  34. Melissa W-H

    Row row row row row row…that’s my first circle done :)
    Keep going and make SR Delivery prouder. Failure to deliver isn’t an option. Isn’t it? I think not.
    Looking forward to hearing the celebrations tomorrow. You’re a legend already now regardless but can’t you just smell the success…at least I think that’s success ;)
    Onwards!

  35. Elizabeth

    I knew I should have got your autograph yesterday – before you’re a world record breaker! This site is definitely addictive……and the chat’s more entertaining than the stuff you read on Engage! I think the staff entrance could be a bit crowded tomorrow morning with your fans willing you on.
    Best of luck for the rest of the night. It’s truly incredible what you are doing.

  36. The Bryces

    Sorry Phil,
    I’m just not as driven as you, I’m going to have to give up ‘graph watching’ for the evening.
    I’ll be joining the crowd tomorrow to cheer you over the line.

  37. Jim T

    Around the 200 kilometers mark. Absolutely phenomenal. Keep on pumping it.

    When you finally finish at 9 in the morning, do you think you will be seasick? The ground going back and forward when you have stopped.

  38. Gary 'I am the gringo's fatter lazier brother" McSherry

    Agree with the other graph watchers that this is pretty addictive – just shows how empty our lives are!! Suspect that we will be more bleary eyed than you tomorrow morning.

    Any chance of you carrying this on tomorrow night as I think I am going to miss my graph!

  39. Phil B

    Never mind local celeb, this will go National. I reckon you could even make the next honours list. Either that or I’m a celebrity….

    Seriously though not only is it going to be an unparalleled personal achievement, you have raised a heck of an amount of money that will ultimately save people’s lives.

    Phil Craze = Legend!

  40. alyson

    Phil, you know my issue with this, I still don’t get it, how can you be doing so well and still not have reached the water?

  41. David Allaway

    Fantastic website and so addictive.

    Phil, you are doing amazing and you are an inspiration to us all. You are on the homeward stretch now, best wishes and good luck.

    Btw – Can you stop the toilet breaks – giving us all a panic every time the line dips :)

  42. Karen S

    Hopefully by 9am tomorrow I can say I rowed 500m with a world record breaker! Keep going & enjoy your day of rest on Friday – or are the bosses making you work?

  43. Rob H

    I’m not sure whether its the physical challenge you enjoy or the number crunching! If i knew how to read a graph I’m sure those numbers which ever way you look at them are pretty dam impressive.

    Keep the catches clean and drive, arms away (hold them knees down), body swing, reload the thighs and drive. Hows the stroke rate. Come on big boy! nail those finishes.

    All the best through the night- you will know when the beast needs to be unleashed- Grrrrrrr!!

  44. Liz H

    Home now and sober! Had to check in to see how you are doing – what a fantastic effort, you are unbelievable. I’m sure the night crew will keep you going.
    Speed sessions will be a breeze after this – for you anyway!
    See you in a few hours

  45. Support Team

    Phil is loving all your comments. Very inspirational – thanks everyone.
    He just waddled off to the loo in the style of John Wayne. :-)

  46. Cheryl Nield

    Well done Phil, what a star challenge! Dave is fast asleep preparing for joining you for a row at 2 am :-) He is really looking forward to it and has been tracking your progress all day.
    Good luck with the last third :-)
    Cheryl ( Dave Nields wife)

  47. Linda Thomson

    Phil, keep going .. was very impressed to see you still rowing after 14 hours .. and ahead of world record!!!!!!! Well done .. row row row …. Richard says he’d love to join you but he’s watching the ‘highlights’ from last nights game!

  48. john d

    great to see your progress and that you are still going strong!

    well done and keep doing what you are doing !

  49. Paul Buchanan

    Keep it going Phil – proud to know you mate (even if it is only via t’internet ;o)

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