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Watch turbo-charged Bertie smash 'sprint' record to become world's fastest tortoise

Bertie stormed to the end of the track in half the previous record time

They’re not known for their speed - but Bertie has just smashed a record as the world’s fastest tortoise.

Turbo-charged Bertie smashed the previous world’s best when he ‘sprinted’ 5.48m in an impressive (for a tortoise) 19.59 seconds.

Bertie stormed to the end of the track in half the previous record time, under the watchful eye of Guinness World Record approved timekeepers and adjudicators.

Staff at Adventure Valley, a family adventure park and animal farm in Durham, were given Bertie three years ago when his owners went to live abroad.

Tale of the tape: Bertie steams towards the finishing line. (SWNS)
Tale of the tape: Bertie steams towards the finishing line. (SWNS)


Marco Calzini, Adventure Valley owner, said: 'Bertie loves going outside for a walk, as soon as we put him down he’s off and running. Visitors are always remarking how fast he is.'

Marco built Bertie a Guinness World Record approved 18ft track set at the required gradient of 1 in 12 and began timing him in training.

He said: 'He’s like the Usain Bolt of the tortoise world! The current Guinness world record has stood since 1977 and we knew Bertie has what it takes to set a new world record.”

The previous Guinness World Record holder was a tortoise called Charlie, who covered the 5.48m (18 ft) course in 43.7 sec (0.45km/h (0.28 mph)) in July 1977 at the National Tortoise Championship at Tickhill, South Yorkshire.

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