After setting world records for the longest marathon softball and basketball games, Men Opposing Sex Trafficking (MOST) is attempting a third record: the longest marathon kickball game. The event, scheduled for Labor Day weekend at Landmark Christian School in Fairburn, Georgia, seeks to surpass the 51-hour mark set in 2011 by students at Padua Franciscan High School in Parma, Ohio.
For the first time, 13 women will join 27 men in the 40-player lineup, all volunteers supporting MOST's mission. Twenty-five of the men have participated in at least one of the group's previous record-breaking feats. Bruce Deel, CEO and founder of MOST, noted the challenge of playing outdoors: 'Breaking the record for the longest basketball game back in March allowed us to escape the elements, so while the kickball record is less than half the length, the weather will add some variables we have to prepare for – especially the heat.' He added, 'We are incredibly excited to welcome the wives of some of the men who have helped us make history in the past – it’s truly becoming a family affair in support of our cause.'
The game begins at 8 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 29 and concludes at noon on Sunday, Aug. 31. Players must remain at the field, eating and sleeping there, with five-minute bathroom breaks every two hours. The current record of 51 hours involved 474 innings and a final score of 431-306. To be certified by Guinness World Records, each team can have a maximum of 26 players, with ten defenders on the field. MOST will field 20 players per squad, rotating in short shifts during the day and longer overnight shifts to allow for sleep.
Deel emphasized the broader purpose: 'What we’ve learned in the process of breaking two world records is that when you capture people’s attention, you can also capture their hearts. Ultimately, our objective is to raise awareness about the scourge of sex trafficking and provide the tools for everyday people to help stamp it out, and as we have become known for these grueling physical challenges over the last 12 months, we have seen a spike in interest and raised over $800,000 to drive our core mission.'
Founded in 2022, MOST initially focused on awareness but now employs analysts to locate sex trafficking activity and an interdiction team of 11 men with military or law enforcement backgrounds to assist local authorities with sting operations. The public can attend the kickball game for free at any time during the three-day event, and a live stream will be available on WeAreMost.org with non-stop coverage.
