In a moving blend of endurance and emotion, Dr. Gihan Ganesh, an anaesthetist from Surrey, and a team of 12 rowers have broken a world record by rowing an astonishing one million metres on a static rowing machine — non-stop — in under 60 hours, right in the heart of London’s Paddington Station.
The feat began on June 2, with Dr. Ganesh and his team — several of whom are fellow doctors from Frimley Park Hospital — rowing in shifts around the clock. Their mission: to raise money for a Hampshire-based children’s charity, in honour of Dr. Ganesh’s young daughter, who was diagnosed with a rare tumour at the age of one.
Their goal was deeply personal — to raise £1,000 for each day of her treatment, ultimately aiming for £169,000. Thanks to incredible public support and their own heroic effort, they reached and exceeded their target.
The rowing team’s relentless 60-hour effort broke the Guinness World Record for the fastest team to row one million metres on a static rowing machine. Exhausted but elated, Dr. Ganesh said, “I am utterly broken, but overwhelmingly grateful. This was for my daughter — and for every child fighting their own battle.”
The event drew crowds of supporters at Paddington Station, who cheered the team on as they rowed through fatigue, blisters, and emotional moments. Donations poured in online, with messages of encouragement from across the UK and beyond.
The funds raised will go toward supporting families of children battling life-threatening illnesses, providing medical resources, and improving hospital stays.
Dr. Ganesh and his team have proven that even in the face of personal trials, courage and compassion can power world records — one stroke, one metre, and one heartfelt mission at a time.
