In a feat that’s as heartwarming as it is impressive, Toronto firefighter and father of two Brendan Neely has shattered the Guinness World Record for the fastest 1-kilometre run while pushing a baby stroller.
His record-breaking performance clocked in at a blazing 2 minutes and 51 seconds, nearly 30 seconds faster than the previous best.
Cheered on by friends, family, and his 17-month-old son Jack—snugly strapped into a Baby Jogger stroller—Neely crossed the finish line Thursday morning at The Hangar sports complex in North York, Ontario, under the watchful eye of an official Guinness adjudicator.
A Father, A Firefighter, A Record-Breaker
Neely is no stranger to pushing limits. With 15 years of experience in trail running and obstacle course racing, the Toronto dad is a natural competitor. But this record wasn’t just about speed.
“It’s really so much more than the record,” Neely said following his run. “Just the amount of hours I put in with these guys is truly what means the most to me, so it’s been quite the wild ride.”
This “ride” began last August when Neely pitched the idea of a stroller-pushing world record attempt to Baby Jogger. The company quickly jumped on board, sponsoring his journey and providing him with gear for training and race day—including the Baby Jogger Summit X3, the same model he used for the official attempt.
Training With a Toddler in Tow
Neely didn’t just train hard—he trained smart, balancing his day job as a firefighter and part-time carpenter with parenting and preparation. Most of his workouts were with his sons in tow, with the younger Jack acting as the record-breaking “co-pilot.”
His older son, a regular training partner, was “a little bummed out he’s not going to be in the hot seat for it,” Neely joked before the run.
That training paid off. Despite the added challenge of stroller-pushing mechanics and the rules set by Guinness—no modifications, no support from the stroller, and full contact maintained throughout the kilometer—Neely delivered a near-perfect performance.
“Conditions were great the whole way and Jack was kicking his legs, just having a great time,” he said afterward. “That was smoother than I ever thought.”
Rules, Regulations, and the Guinness Seal
The Guinness World Record for “fastest 1 km while pushing a pram” comes with strict requirements.
According to adjudicator Andy Glass, Neely had to:
- Push a living individual strapped securely into the stroller.
- Avoid altering the stroller in any way.
- Maintain constant contact throughout the run.
- Never use the stroller for support.
Neely met every criterion. His time of 2:51 crushed the previous mark of 3:19, held since 2022 by Jamie Hesford of the United Kingdom.
What’s Next for the Speedy Dad?
Neely isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
Next week, he’s flying to Saudi Arabia for a race. And he’s already thinking ahead to another potential record attempt—this time with both sons in the stroller.
“I just thought, ‘Maybe there’s some sort of record or something,’” Neely recalled of the idea’s origin. Now, with one world record under his belt, the idea of pushing the envelope even further is no longer hypothetical.
A Run That’s More Than Just a Time
Neely’s story resonates because it blends elite athleticism with the everyday joy—and chaos—of parenting.
Training with toddlers. Turning family time into performance gains. And using a stroller as both a symbol and a tool for shared experience.
It’s not just about breaking records—it’s about creating memories.
“It’s been quite the wild ride,” Neely said, his son grinning from the stroller beside him.
For anyone who’s ever juggled training goals with parenting duties—or just tried to get a toddler to sit still for five minutes—Neely’s achievement is more than fast. It’s inspiring.
And maybe, just maybe, it’s only the beginning.
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