Local teen chases unique world record

13-year-old Jackson Fuller on an ATV, attempting to set a world record in Severn, Ont., on Sat., Oct. 12, 2024 (CTV News/Mike Lang)

13-year-old Jackson Fuller is attempting to set the record for most miles travelled in an ATV within 24 hours this weekend, chasing it by lapping around the Orillia & District Agricultural Society (ODAS) Park circuit outside Orillia.

The Wasaga Beach teen began his marathon just after 10:30 a.m. Saturday morning, hoping to reach 500 miles (800 kilometres) by 10:30 a.m. Sunday morning.

He also hopes his record-setting attempt will help him raise funds and collect non-perishable food donations to support local food banks.

"Me and my dad were driving past the food banks in Barrie one day [and] the lineup was at least two hours long," recalled Jackson. "I decided, why don't I do it on an ATV and do it for food banks for Simcoe County."

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With top speeds of 70 kilometres per hour, Jackson must complete approximately 600 laps of the ODAS Park circuit to reach his target. He has been making pit stops throughout the day to refuel both his body and ATV when necessary.

"The bathroom and the eating breaks are all included in the fuel breaks," explained Jackson. "Whenever I get refuelled, I usually have a granola bar and a drink of Gatorade or water."

Jackson previously intended to set a world record for the most snowmobiling miles travelled by a youth this past winter, but there was not enough snow.

His progress along his ATV record-setting chase is being tracked with the help of his father, Josh, and other family and friends. GPS tracking, a manual log, and video footage of Jackson's efforts will be presented to Guinness for his potential record to be validated.

"This kid has so much passion and heart," said Josh Fuller. Jackson's father then recalled that drive past a Barrie food bank. "He just looked over at me and said, 'Dad, this ATV event, we're going to do it for the food banks. And I said, 'let's do it.'"

Josh added that no long-distance ATV record previously existed for youth, which allowed them more flexibility in choosing a location and track length.

While Jackson hopes to raise more than $30,000 for local food banks by the end of November, Josh says he would be happy with $5,000 and plenty of food donations.

"It's more about filling the shelves," explained Josh. "We'll take anything to help the food banks."

Josh and other family and friends will support Jackson overnight as he continues his record-setting mission.

Food and financial donations will be accepted on-site at the ODAS Park circuit or through social media.

Jackson and Josh plan to re-attempt the records for travelling the most snowmobiling miles within 24 hours in February.