Inmates target rowing records | Manawatu-Wanganui News | Local News in Manawatu-Wanganui

Thirteen prisoners from Whanganui Prison will take part in the Relay for Life cancer foundation appeal this year with their very own "Row-lay".

On February 11 and 12, 10 prisoners will take part in a 24-hour continuous relay team, rowing in 30-minute shifts at the prison.

Three other prisoners will be attempting to make new world records with their efforts.

A tandem pair of prisoners will row in shifts for 24 hours, in an attempt to break the world record of 348,809 metres in the 20-29 years age category. Another prisoner will attempt to row solo for 24 hours.

If he achieves this, he will set a new world record in the 30-39 year lightweight division.

In addition to the prisoners, two Whanganui Prison officers, Graeme Taylor and Darren Whetton, will row in tandem for 24 hours to beat the record for longest continous row in the 30-39 years age group.

The men have been training for the relay in their fitness sessions at the prison, and are taking the cause seriously. An official will be on site at the prison to document the world record attempts.