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Steve’s Drumming Marathon over 100 hours

Drummer Steve Gaul is currently on pace to break the world record for marathon drumming. You can read our original news story here

Having already surpassed the 100 hours mark (last year he managed 73 hours and 11 minutes) he is aiming to break the current 120 hours record.
Steve said, through his holistic nutritionist Deanne Dietz on Monday at the Burlington Music Centre “I’m feeling amazing,” - he was busy keeping time and counting.

“I’ve had my moments where I go between reality and someplace else, but I always come back,” he joked. “I’m ready to keep going for it and finish it.”

Steve has to play recognizable songs for more than 2 minutes each, no more than a 30 second break in between songs. He can have a 5 minute break every hour - break can be banked.
Dietz has been supporting Gaul since the beginning of the marathon last Friday at 8am - he even sleeps when he does for 2 hours every 24.

Having been on a strict diet of organic suppliments to keep his energy levels high - he is only allowed stimulants i.e. coffee once a day. He has been eating meatballs of flaxseed and oatmeal and also energy balls made from an original recipe by Dietz.

Athletic therapist and part of Gauls medical team, Carolyn Zepf, said the new diet seems to be working really well - his vitals are the same as day one, he's so stable, his skin looks good and he has energy. He does hit a wall for some moments but fortunately they don't last long.

Zepf, along with Kate Stephan and Christina Fogg, check Gaul's vitals every hour and monitor him constantly. Working together for 6 months in preparation for the marathon and going through the three phases of training.

The first stage of training was a foundations one where his muscles were assessed and he was taught to correct his posture to maintain his energy and expend less of it, says Zepf.

He then went through a strengthening phase and then finally an endurance phase.

“There has been such a huge change (from last year),” said Zepf. “It’s been so remarkable, almost like night and day.”

Similar to last year, Gaul arranged for a DJ to keep the music flowing, while live bands periodically joined him on stage to help keep him motivated.

Over last weekend, local bands Freedom Train, CrossTown Traffic and The Top Hats came to jam along with Gaul, as well as Tristan Avakian, guest guitarist from We Will Rock You.

Gaul who beat testicular cancer nearly 17 years ago, decided to take on the record-breaking feat last year to help raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society and to help inspire his older sister, Toni Clement, in her own battle against the disease — Clement passed away last year on Dec. 12.

This year, the 40-year-old Burlington resident decided to attempt to break the record once again to keep raising awareness of and funds for cancer.

Setting his goal at $100,000, Gaul has raised more than $6,000 so far.