India, Sept. 5 -- Most fast bowlers measure their run-ups in metres. Sam Bodoano measured his in kilometres - 100 of them. Beginning at Lord's Cricket Ground in north London around midnight, the Surrey cricketer ran through the night for roughly 14 hours, still dressed in cricket whites and carrying a ball. His destination was Valley End Cricket Club in Woking, where the extraordinary journey finally ended in the manner required: Bodoano ran in and bowled the opening delivery of a cricket match.

Waiting for that ball at the other end was his father. The 22-year-old from Worplesdon, near Guildford, completed the 62-mile (100km) challenge in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest cricket bowling run-up by a male. The...