Amidst a global pandemic, two men have decided it’s a good idea to break the world record for the most hugs in one minute. Because who needs social distancing when you can go for a world record?
Serial Guinness World Record-breaker Ron “Hugs” Thompson and social media influencer Adam “Huggable” Jones attempted to hug their way into the record books with a staggering 153 hugs in 60 seconds. Talk about a warm embrace.
Thompson, who has previously broken records for “most high-fives in one minute” and “most times hitting yourself in the face with a paddleball in 30 seconds,” is no stranger to the boundaries of human contact. And Jones, with his impressive social media following, is clearly an expert in being adored by strangers – so why not get them all in on the hugging action?
The two men took to a public park to attempt the record, and were met with a mix of confusion and concern from onlookers. “I thought hugs were supposed to be about spreading love and warmth,” said one passerby. “This just feels like a super-spreader event waiting to happen.”
But Thompson and Jones were undeterred. With a team of hug-counters and a referee on hand to ensure all hugs were counted and performed correctly (yes, there are rules for hugging), they began their quest for hug glory.
The pair alternated hugging each other and members of the public, with the crowd growing steadily as word spread of the hugging spectacle. Children, elderly, and even dogs got in on the action, desperate for a moment of human connection in a world where social distancing has become the norm.
As the clock ticked down and the hugs continued, tension grew. Would they make it to 153? Would they collapse into a heap of sweaty, exhausted, but undoubtedly happy bodies? And, most importantly, would they have to quarantine for two weeks afterwards?
But with seconds to spare, the duo hit their target. 153 hugs in one minute. A new world record. The crowd cheered, confetti rained down, and sweaty hugs were exchanged all around.
“We did it!” Thompson exclaimed, gasping for breath and wiping sweat from his brow. “I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck, but it’s worth it for the hug high.”
Jones, equally sweaty but beaming, added: “This just goes to show that even in the darkest of times, a hug can bring us all together. Although, now that we’ve broken the record, I think I want to go wash my clothes.”
And so, with a world record and undoubtedly some germs to boot, Thompson and Jones hugged their way into the annals of Guinness history. But for the rest of us, the question remains: is it really worth risking a pandemic just to get a record-breaking hug? We’ll let you decide.
