Kicking a World Record for a Cure
Craig Pinto, three-time Guinness World Record holder and founder of the inaugural New York Turkey Trot benefitting the Celiac Disease Foundation, was diagnosed with celiac disease at age 22, just 10 years after being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. “Even though it was a hard adjustment at the time, I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world. The diagnosis taught me how to be resilient, how to advocate for myself, and created a passion to be involved with others in the celiac community.”
And resilient he has been! Craig, also a former professional indoor football player for the New Jersey Revolution Arena football team, secured his first Guinness World Record on October 10, 2010, by kicking 717 field goals in 12 hours. Since then, he has set two other Guinness World Records for the most field goals kicked in 24 hours (1,000!) and most field goals in one minute (11!).
Now, exactly ten years after his first World Record, Craig is prepared to achieve his fourth and final Guinness World Record today, October 10, 2020, by kicking the “Most American Football Field Goals in One Hour.” We are proud to celebrate this accomplishment with Craig and encourage those in the celiac community to stay active, healthy, and moving as we continue to “kick off” our 2020 Virtual Turkey Trot!
"This diagnosis taught me how to be resilient, how to advocate for myself, and created a passion to be involved with others in the celiac community.”
Achieving these Guinness World Records has allowed Craig to blend his love of sports and fundraising, as each Record was an opportunity to raise funds for celiac disease research through various events and programs. Beginning on Long Island five years ago, the Celiac Disease Foundation Turkey Trot is a beloved event that continues to empower our community. “We started with just over 100 people united in their support of each other, whether they had been diagnosed for 10 days or 10 years. Last year, more than 300 participated in the NY Turkey Trot including sponsors, vendors, and supporters from all over the Tri-State area.”
Year after year, the CDF Turkey Trot continues to expand nationwide, with four in-person locations in 2019 and, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, an interactive virtual event with participants from nearly all 50 states in 2020. “I always look forward to interacting with participants, sharing our celiac stories and hearing the unique, creative ways that each team has raised funds. Even though we won’t be together in-person this year, the bonds and friendships that have been created continue to grow, and I can’t wait to be in touch with our Trotters again this year to hear how everyone achieved their cross-country goal.”
Craig encourages everyone to stay or become active and to see that long-term endurance and athletics are possible on a gluten-free diet – even for a now 42-year-old who has had reconstructive knee surgery and is held together by band-aids! He inspires our community to set high goals and achieve them with hard work. We invite you to support Craig’s tremendous efforts, as together we strive to achieve the ultimate goal of a cure.
Craig’s first Guinness World Record raised money for celiac disease research for a cure, and now, ten years later, we are still diligently fighting and raising money for the same thing. We need your support, as we MOVE together for a cure.