Article content continued

For instance, Quinlan has determined that the car on the east side of the platform of Lougheed Town Centre Station is 220 steps closer to the Evergreen Line transfer compared with the west side of the platform.

His practice sessions culminated in a full rehearsal last Sunday when he completed the run in less than three hours, gathering bemused looks from SkyTrain riders along the way.

In order for Guinness to consider his submission, Quinlan has to submit a photo of himself at each station with the train door open and the station sign in the background as evidence. The photos need to be date-stamped and geotagged.

He’ll be travelling with a team, including an official timekeeper, two independent witnesses, a photographer, a videographer and a team captain, his son Cameron, whose duties include “keeping me in check,” laughed Quinlan.

“I can get very excited. He’s there to calm me and remind me to get the photograph,” he said.

Quinlan’s attempt isn’t just for the record books, but also for a good cause. The race is a fundraiser for Alouette Addictions Services, where Quinlan works as a counsellor. Four years ago the group launched a substance literacy program for elementary schools in Maple Ridge, and is looking to expand its services to other school districts. Donations can be made through the website fastestskytrain.ca.

Living in a community not served by SkyTrain, Quinlan said he wasn’t an experienced SkyTrain rider before he embarked on his trial runs.

“But the more I look into it the more I think we are incredibly lucky to have the SkyTrain system,” he said. “I’m a big fan of public transit. I really hope it grows. The city needs it.”

He’s not worried about mechanical breakdowns on SkyTrain, but his biggest fear is track intrusion, which would likely send his attempt off the rails.

“But that’s beyond my control,” said Quinlan. “All I can do is to do everything I can to make sure everything happens as smoothly on my end.”

Once he sets the record, he said he’ll be happy to have someone surpass it in the future, adding he’d willingly share his cheat sheet with the next person to make the attempt.

“Records are for the breaking,” Quinlan said.

chchan@postmedia.com

twitter.com/cherylchan

CLICK HERE to report a typo.

Is there more to this story? We’d like to hear from you about this or any other stories you think we should know about. Email vantips@postmedia.com.</p

You might also like: