The entry in the Guinness World Records book is nearly as swift as the accomplishment: “The fastest 10 km pushing a quadruple pram (male) is 48 min 1 sec, and was achieved by Steven Christopher (USA), in Sterling, Virginia, USA, on 7 May 2022.”
Clearly, this is written in Ye Olde English, so allow us to translate: “10 km” is about 6.2 miles, and a “pram” is a baby carriage.
Wait. What? A quadruple pram?
Indeed! That’s the size of the four-seater stroller Christopher was pushing during the Run the Greenway 2022. The charitable event, scheduled again next year on Saturday, May 6, is a chance for area residents — serious runners or otherwise — to take in the scenery of the 14-mile Dulles Greenway toll road at a far slower pace than the usual 65 mph. With or without a four-seat baby carriage.
This will be the third Run the Greenway event. Last year the race raised some $220,000 for Loudoun County and regional nonprofits.
Christopher, an active-duty Air Force pilot, joined more than 1,700 runners and walkers last year in distances of 5K, 10K, and an 800-meter “Kids Fun Run.” If you recall what the weather was on May 7, 2022 — and why would you? — let us remind you, it was not pleasant. A dreary gray day, with a noon high of about 53 degrees with a constant drizzle. (We’re crossing fingers for more springlike weather this year.)
So how did Christopher, who lives in Cherrydale in Arlington, transport his four kids — ages 4, 2, and newborn twins (!) — to a Guinness World record in a stroller in a cold rain? He zipped up the plastic sides and roof of the pram, keeping Micah, Caleb, Abigail, and Ethan out of the rain for the 48-minute trot. Fun, right?
“They would have it no other way,” Christopher says, adding that his wife, Jessica, also runs the Greenway — and beats him.
By the way, the record for the fastest female to push a quadruple carriage in a 10K race (it’s a thing) happened in April of this year, when Hanna Skårbratt pushed her two sets of twin toddlers in an event held in Gothenburg, Sweden. She crossed the line at 47 minutes and 30 seconds.
Set your own records this year: Registration is open for the 2023 Run the Greenway 5K and 10K race. Details here. There is also a “virtual” race option for those who can’t be there in person.
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