One world record just isn’t enough for Austinite Ben Duong.
After breaking the Guinness World Record for the fastest half-marathon while dribbling a basketball in February 2024, Duong will attempt the record for the full marathon on Sunday, Feb. 16 at the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon.
Duong is sponsored by the San Antonio Spurs as part of the Spurs Fit Club group yet again. Even though the Austin Marathon will only be his second full marathon, Duong told ATXtoday he’s optimistic about setting a new record.
“I did it through the half last year, I have the running fitness still, and I have the support from my friends, my family, the Spurs still backing me,” Duong said.
Duong is up against Steffan Reimer’s record of 2 hours, 50 minutes, and 33 seconds, which was set in Manitoba, Canada, in 2021. Duong set a time of 2 hours, 33 minutes, and 53 seconds (without a basketball) during his first-ever full marathon attempt at the Chevron Houston Marathon in January.
"(I have) a lot of respect for (Reimer) for being able to do it that quickly — (it’s) definitely a pretty quick marathon in general, especially when you add the basketball to it,” Duong said.
In order to beat the record, Duong must dribble the basketball at all times while he is moving and have a referee witness to verify the attempt.
Several of Duong’s friends will join him this weekend to help make the dream a reality, including Justin Botello, who has been running with him since high school. Botello will be in charge of pacing Duong, aiming to run around 6 minutes and 30 seconds per mile to reach a total time of 2 hours and 45 minutes.
“I have full confidence that Ben is fully capable of it, coming off of the time that he hit in Houston,” Botello said. “Having that history of doing a half marathon with the ball and breaking that world record was a good indication.”
The public is welcome to spectate along the marathon course — we’re sure Duong would appreciate the support.
“The fact that (The Spurs) are supporting me again feels like such an honor,” Duong said. “I definitely do feel like I have a reputation to defend, in a sense, and a legacy to build on.”
