Push-ups for Peace may head to record books
Posted Online: May 01, 2010, 9:05 pm
By Laura Anderson, landerson@qconline.com

In 60 minutes, John Morrow did 2,100 push-ups on the backs of his hands. In front of a small crowd at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, the martial arts grand master, champion and longtime instructor did 35 push-ups a minute at a "Push-ups for Peace" event. This was his sixth attempt to break the Guinness World Record of 1,940 back-of-hands push-ups set by Paddy Doyle in Birmingham, England, on Nov. 8, 2007. Mr. Morrow's (unofficial) count will be submitted to Guinness. Also on the gym floor were about 25 others hunkered-down on towels, yoga mats and T-shirts, aiming for another goal. Mr. Morrow wanted to set another record for the most push-ups by a group in one place in an hour, but Guinness wouldn't accept that as a record, he said. Instead, he called the day "Push-ups for Peace," and in association with the Quad Cities Morning Optimist Club, participants were asked to seek pledges for the number of push-ups they could do in one hour, with proceeds going to the Children's Therapy Center of the Quad-Cities and Kids Against Hunger. Every year, Mr. Morrow said he tries to break or set a record. But this year, "I wanted to make it meaningful. Why not do it for a good cause?" Mr. Morrow said he picked the Children's Therapy Center of the Quad-Cities and Kids Against Hunger as the benefactors because they're "great causes." For years, he has fasted for a certain amount of days every year, and for the past six, he has fasted for 40 days in a row. "Push-ups For Peace" marked the end of this year's fast, Mr. Morrow said. He said he fasts to "promote fitness," adding that people "eat too much." On his blog, at http://morrowsacademy.blogspot.com, he tracks what he drank and how much he exercised each of the 40 days. Betweens sets of push-ups, Mr. Morrow pressed his hands together and slightly bowed his head for a short meditation. Then, he'd wiped his face, grabbed a quick drink, and gave his wife, Katie, a quick hug. During the final set, people surrounded Mr. Morrow as he did the last 35 push-ups. Charley Davis of Davenport, who works out at Morrow's Academy, did some push-ups of his own. He said the event was supporting "great charities," and it was a "test of endurance, which is always nice." Mr. Davis did 900 push-ups in 60 minutes. Jeanette Gibson of Kewanee, another student of Mr. Morrow's, did 600 push-ups. She said she felt good like she always does after doing push-ups. She'd like to see Push-ups for Peace grow. "It's a great way for the community to come together and support charities and physical fitness in the Quad-Cities."