Pickleball Marathon: A team of four U.S. athletes will attempt to break the world record for the longest marathon pickleball rally this weekend in Carrollton, Texas. The Pickle Breakers plan to play for 36 hours starting April 12, aiming to beat the current 34-hour, 5-minute mark.
The team—Chong Kim, Jaret Petras, Laura Maala, and Geneva Olson—will begin their effort at 6:00 a.m. CT on Saturday at Pickler Universe. They plan to continue nonstop until 9:00 p.m. Sunday, hoping to bring the Guinness World Record back to the United States.
A Mission Bigger Than a Record
While the event focuses on breaking a record, the team also plays for a deeper purpose—raising awareness about mental health and grief. The idea for the attempt began after a fellow pickleball player in North Texas took their own life last year.
“This is more than a physical challenge. It’s about healing, hope, and harnessing the power of pickleball to bring people together.” – (kim)
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Partnering for a Cause
The Pickle Breakers are working with Taylor’s Gift Foundation, a nonprofit that helps organ and tissue donor families deal with grief. The foundation offers free support to those who have lost loved ones.
Through this partnership, the group hopes to create space for healing and open conversations around grief.
“You can accomplish anything you set your mind towards. The dream is real. Let’s make it happen.” – (kim)
Why It Matters
If successful, the Pickle Breakers will not only set a new world record but also spotlight an important cause. Their effort could inspire more community events that mix sport with social good. The group’s goal is to show how pickleball can help people heal and connect.
News in Brief: Pickleball Marathon
The Pickle Breakers will attempt a 36-hour pickleball rally April 12–13 at Pickler Universe in Carrollton, Texas. The effort aims to beat the 34-hour, 5-minute world record while raising awareness about grief and mental health in partnership with Taylor’s Gift Foundation.