Since the beginning, legendary TODAY show weatherman Al Roker has celebrated the highly-anticipated Rokerthon with Guinness World Records titles.
In 2015 , Al achieved the an incredible title for the Fastest time to report a weather forecast in all 50 US states in a mere seven days and 18 minutes, and in 2014, delivered the world’s Longest uninterrupted live TV weather report, in 34 hours.
This year was set to be better than ever, as Al set off on a collegiate quest around the USA with adjudicator Michael Empric in tow – aiming to break a series of records with university students in theme with March Madness.
With a new title achieved each day at campuses over the course of this past week, we’ve recapped the exciting action of this year's Rokerthon below.
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Largest human images of a cloud and lightning bolt
Al and Michael’s first stop was the University of Oklahoma, where students, fans and alumni gathered before sunrise to break a record. Wearing colour-appropriate clothing, participants arranged themselves to form huge images of a cloud and lightning bolt. A fitting title to attempt for the traveling Meteorologist, Al helped to organise a new total of 490 people formed a human cloud, as well as 280 form human lightning bolt. As a special surprise for the event, TODAY offered a surprise $5,000 scholarship to student Kelsie Hawk. Generously, the TODAY show awarded two scholarships when another student with a similar name came up to claim the prize – an unexpected great kick off to the week!
Largest game of freeze tag
Day two of Rokerthon 2017, saw Al and Michael make their way to the cold-weathered Northern Michigan University for an attempt at the record for Largest game of freeze tag. Several students gathered in the university’s Superior Dome. In order to successfully achieve the record, participants of the game had to halt mid-motion when tagged by an “it” player. The “freeze tag” ends when one person of the group is left standing. With a final number of 634 valid members scrambling on the field of the Superior Dome, weatherman Al helped Northern Michigan University earn a record title after a 19-minute game.
Largest human letter
The Rokerthon plane jetted back to the East Coast, where Al's record quest fit students to a “T”. Literally speaking, the University of Tennessee decided to attempt the Largest human letter, using their strong and prominent “T” symbol. Known as the “Power T” this grand-sized letter would aim to break the previous record of 3,373 people, set by Queen’s Universtiy in Canada last year. In the middle of the school’s football field, an enthusiastic, orange-clad crowd efficiently formed the shape of the letter with a brand new record of 4,223.
Most people crab walking
Al continued his collegiate journey on Thursday at Loyola University in Baltimore, Maryland who attempted a fitness record with students and staff. Attempting the Most people crab walking, in reference to the area’s classic cuisine of crabs, students of the record attempt came together across the campus fields to properly assume the “crab walking position” and maintain a walk for a full two minutes. Aspiring to beat Northeastern University’s former record of 376 people, the large group of students managed to do so with a total of 494 participants; adding to Rokerthon’s triumphant week.
Longest conga line on ice
On the final day of this year’s Rokerthon, Al returned back to his alma mater of State University of New York at Oswego to help students break the record for the Longest conga line on ice. Decked in green in yellow, the school’s colours, several banners welcomed Al back to his home school and the school’s rink where the attempt would take place. On the final stop on Al's trek, students laced up their skates and formed a line on the slippery surface of the ice and were counted by adjudicator Michael Empric to ensure that all members were linked to form the ultimate record-breaking conga line. The record to beat was 353 people, but SUNY Oswega blew that number off the rink with a cool 593. Ending the week on a high note, we can’t wait to see what Al has in store for next year’s Rokerthon.