Brothers-in-law broke agonising vehicle pull record side-by-side in gentleman's agreement

A pair of brothers-in-law made a gentleman’s agreement to claim a monumental world record together for the second time.

Crossing the finish line together, John Darwen and James Baker (both UK) achieved the farthest distance pulling a vehicle in 24 hours – 51.499 km (32 mi).

They each pulled a van weighing around 1.5 tonnes further than a marathon when they took on the challenge in Elvington from 25-26 August 2022.

James and John first became joint holders of this record in October 2021, when they each pulled a vehicle 35.701 km (22.183 mi).

Now, they’ve added 10 miles to their total.

James, 38, and John, 33, took on the epic challenge to raise cash for charities Redeeming Our Communities and Cancer Research UK.

John was diagnosed with leukaemia as a teenager, and James has been a big support to him.

While neither of them have a background in sport, their strong bond inspired them to break a record together.

James, who is married to John's sister Samantha, said: “What made our record different, and the heart behind it, it wasn’t about being the best, it was about being the best together.

“Showing a sense of brotherhood and solidarity over self.

John, left, and James

“Self would have said ‘I want to be the best no matter what’, but the way we did it together, this was our record.

He added: “It was greater that we finished together than one person finishing ahead.

“I think that’s bonded us together and made us a stronger unit as a family.”

In their second attempt, the pair was joined by friend Daniel Callaghan, who took on the challenge in honour of his late sister who he lost to cancer.

From left, John, James and Daniel

Unfortunately, he suffered an injury at the 14-mile mark and had to drop out of the race.

James and John do something together to raise money for charity every year, including half-marathons and marathons.

But it’s clear they’d both agree this was their toughest challenge yet.

Looking back, John, who works for the NHS as an occupational therapist, said: “In the last two miles of the event, I physically and mentally had nothing left.

“I remember just sitting down on the grass with my head in my hands, quite emotional.

“And I remember my dad coming up to me and saying that he was so proud of what I’d achieved.

“But I just knew in my heart that I had more in me.

“Although I was in a lot of pain and discomfort, I just knew I still had more in me so I got up, I shook the dust off myself and I put on the harness and said ‘two more miles, I’m going to go for it’.”

He explained: “I had a lot of chafing down below, I had a lot of blisters around my waist and my toenails were hanging off, they all turned black.

“Every single step I took was absolute agony but again this is where you just push on, persevere.

“I just knew I had to finish it.

“I knew if I gave it everything I got that I’d be proud of what I’d achieved.”

For this record, John and James could take as many breaks as they wanted, but the clock could not stop at any time.

After two years of training, with them seeing their first record as a “practice run”, they had agreed they wanted to surpass 30 miles.

James, who is a Pastor at Kings Church Blackpool and founder and CEO of a gardening company, stopped at the 32-mi mark, unhooked himself from his harness and went back to where John was to cheer him on to the end.

“Crossing the line together, that will never leave me, I think that’s one of the greatest achievements for me,” James told us.

Their monumental effort not only solidified the unbreakable bond between them, but raised £2,500 for the worthy causes close to their hearts.

James said: “I hope this is a great encouragement for those who are out there doing this sort of thing.

“It’s not just about being the best, it’s about forming that brotherhood and that united front together.”