Longest Marathon Giving Speeches by Team Mexico

From Friday 27 February to Sunday 1 March, in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico and proposed by Toastmasters International, a 90 years old organization committed to improve the communication and leadership skills, it was presented a record attempt validated by Guinness World Records for the longest marathon giving speeches, in the framework of the celebrations of Guadalajara anniversary.

This project was joined enthusiastically by Mar Adentro de Mexico, a civil organization from Guadalajara focused on promoting the culture of debate amongst the Mexican youth.

The proposal was also backed by the Culture Commission of Guadalajara Town Hall and approved by the plenary. Toastmasters and Mar Adentro contacted Guinness World Records with their idea with unlimited number of participants could be created.

The minimum requirement set from Guinness World Records was a 24 hours event, however the organizers wanted to set a more difficult mark, and from the first moment they aimed to surpass the 72 hours goal.

The rules for this record establishe

d from Guinness World Records state that every speech should last at least 5 minutes and only pauses of 30 seconds as a maximum between speeches are acceptable.

A total of 458 speakers: Toastmasters from Guadalajara and coming from other Mexican states, university students belonging to Mar Adentro and citizens in general participated in the attempt. And due to the fact that the event took place in a public place, el Parque de la Revolucion, the event generated a huge interest for public in attendance.

On 27 March one of the participants was the Major of Guadalajara himself.

From Saturday, Guinness World Records Adjudicator Carlos Martinez was present in Guadalajara so he could confirm, right after the conclusion of the event, that a new record had been set, with an official time of 72 hours, 45 minutes and 57 seconds.

Guinness Record for Speaks Nonstop for 124 Hours

Frenchman Lluis Colet broke the world record for the longest speech after rambling nonstop for 124 hours about Spanish painter Salvador Dali, Catalan culture and other topics.

The 62-year-old Catalan and local government worker spoke for five straight days and four nights to set the record in the southern French town of Perpignan.

Three notaries were on hand to recognise the feat which allows Colet to enter it in the Guinness Book of Records.

The previous record was held by an Indian man who delivered a 120-hour speech.
Colet began speaking at Perpignan's railway station on Monday by reciting the works of famous authors or using some of his own writing. He also spoke profusely about Dali, a painter he admires, and Catalan culture.

Large crowds turned out in support of Colet, who received a rapturous applause at the end of his speech.

"This is a big day for me and I dedicate this record to all those who defend Catalan language and culture," he said, his voice fainter after five days of nonstop talking. Colet had set the record once before in 2004 when he spoke for 48 straight hours.

Most Campaign Speeches in a Single Day World Record Set by Ralph Nader

Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader says he now holds the world record for most campaign speeches in a single day.

Nader, who is on the ballot in 45 states but is polling in single digits, said he delivered at least 255 minutes of speeches in 21 Massachusetts communities on Saturday. Nader said that was enough to get him into the Guinness Book of World Records.

To get in the record books, Guinness officials said Nader needed to give at least 150 minutes of speeches, with each speech lasting at least 10 minutes. And each time, there must be at least 10 people watching who didn't come with Nader.

Beginning at 8:15 a.m. Saturday in Westfield, Nader used several different settings for his speeches, including a deli, a farmer's market and a library. Each time, he stayed anywhere from 15 minutes to a half hour.

"Given that monstrous bailout bill, it's still the same message: taxation without representation," Nader said in one speech to about 40 supporters in front of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.

Nader closed his day with an 11:30 p.m. campaign party in Sheffield.

The 74-year-old Nader said he didn't expect to be tired. "When you're seeking justice, as I have for so many years, it's invigorating, not fatiguing," he said.

Nader said he hopes his Massachusetts tour persuades thousands of voters to support him and help build a powerful "third political force." He also said he wants to highlight a campaigning style that focuses on local communities, rather than large rallies with carefully screened crowds.