Marist Campus Minister Hopes to Swing Way Into Guinness World Record Book

CHICAGO, IL -- Marist High School’s campus minister will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for longest marathon on a playground swing to raise funds and awareness for the Marist National Day of Service.

Patrick Meyer, a 2010 alumni, will begin his quest on Oct. 13, when he plans to swing for 36 hours straight, ending sometime on Oct. 14. Meyer will be using a specially made swing for the marathon. The Guinness World Record for the longest marathon on a swing is 32 hours, 2 minutes, 3 seconds. It was set by Aimee Pivott in Pukekohe, Auckland, New Zealand, on Oct. 4-5, 2013.

The campus minister will be raising money for an ambitious community service project to be undertaken by the entire Marist junior class on March 29, 2017. The juniors will join all the Marist schools in the United States in honor of the Marist Brothers’ 200th anniversary in a nationwide day of service.

Marist juniors are being challenged to assemble 100,000 meal packs for Feed My Starving Children, which will be delivered by FMSC to children and families in 83 countries where there are Marist schools and ministries. As part of the project, the high school will be covering the entire cost of the food -- $25,000.

Meyer was inspired to do something for the project. He searched the Guinness World Record book, and thought the swinging challenge was doable, unique, and something fun for the students and community to rally around. Meyer has been training for the event by swinging at local parks.

Marist’s chaplain, Deacon Andy Neu (‘78) spearheaded the building of a two-person swing on the campus just outside the school’s Red & White Stadium.

“I am nervous,” Meyer said. “I just don’t want to let anyone down.”

Based on the support of students in the Marist Youth Service Group and Meyer’s colleagues, he does not have any reason to be nervous.

“Everyone is behind him,” said fellow campus minister Colleen Pochyly. “The kids are excited and have been eager to help.”

Students are selling “Swing Squad” t-shirts that can be worn in school the day of the event. Raffle tickets are also being sold for a signed and authenticated Walter Payton football jersey. Shirts and raffle tickets are priced at $10 each, and are available in the school’s campus ministry office.

The 36-hour marathon will start early Thursday on Oct. 13, with an opening ceremony at 7 a.m. Comedian and 1994 Marist alumni, Pat McGann, will help kick the marathon off by joining Meyer on the double swing. Throughout the marathon, other local VIPs including Old St. Patrick’s pastor, Fr. Tom Hurley (‘85), International Rose of Tralee Maggie McEldowney (‘07), and Ald. Matt O’Shea (19th). School administrators and Marist students will also turns joining Meyer on the swing.

Coinciding with Meyer’s world record attempt, the high school’s youth service group is hosting a fall fest on the football field from 7 to 9 p.m. on the football field. The fest features food for purchase, a petting zoo, apple bobbing, music and pumpkin launching. Admission is $2 and the fest is open to the public. Money from shirt sales, the Payton jersey raffle and the fest will go towards the FMSC fees. A generous donor has already given $4,000 to help the school meet its costs to participate in the community service project.

Meyer’s energetic colleagues and friends will support Meyer through the night. If successful, Meyer will finish at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, before the Marist varsity football game against Benet Academy. The Payton jersey raffle winner will be pulled during halftime.

Contributed by Marist High School