Uptown resident Britton Brewer is recruiting volunteers to help him set a world record in the World Ultra Cycling Association’s 500-mile Outdoor Track category in the mens’ 60 to 69 age group with his elliptical bicycle.

Any records that Brewer sets will be the first on the books for ElliptiGO riders of any age, and he is also looking to set embedded records along the way for distances such as 300 miles and 24 hours of pedaling.

“[It’s] kind of the recognition that I’m not getting any younger,” Brewer said. “And I have a little bit of a sense of urgency that if you want to do something that involves strength, speed, agility, it’s better to do it sooner than later. And I’ll derive satisfaction from trying and addressing the challenge, the enormity of the task.”

Brewer expects that pedaling the 500 miles will take him about 40 hours. He plans to use the track at Sedona Red Rock High School on Saturday and Sunday, March 15 and 16, with backup dates the following two weekends in the event of unfavorable weather.

“The elliptical bike is very upright, so it’s very susceptible to the adverse effects of winds, and if there’s a wind advisory, it would be just a nightmare to do,” Brewer said.

Brewer, a retired psychology professor specializing in sport and health psychology at Springfield College in Massachusetts, moved to Sedona two years ago and began using an elliptical bike after switching away from running due to injuries. His wife, Judy Van Raalte, also a former psychology professor, is an avid tennis player. The couple met in graduate school at Arizona State University in the 1980s, were married in 1990 and have two children.

“Once you get past 24 hours, people talk about it being more challenging,” Brewer said. “In addition to the demands of exertion, the demands for nutrition and hydration along the way, sleep deprivation may also come into play. Under those conditions, it’s not uncommon for people to have hallucinations. There’s the challenge of maintaining electrolyte levels so you don’t cramp up and addressing overall physical fatigue associated with doing a repetitive activity for that duration of time.”

The greatest distance that Brewer has traveled in one session so far was 295 miles in 24 hours. He has been training extensively since Nov. 1 by riding six days a week, averaging 35 to 40 miles per session.

“The biggest barrier we face is recruiting enough volunteers to serve as officials for the likely 40-hour duration of the attempt,” Brewer said. WUCA regulations require two certified officials to be present at all times, meaning that 120 total person-hours need to be filled.

“To become a certified official is pretty easy,” Brewer said. “We’re helping folks register, covering their fee, and they take an online open-book exam before the ride. The job itself is simple, mostly requiring a mouse click every minute or so. You need to be at least 21 to be an official and 18 to be a crew member. Anyone interested in endurance sports, night owls or insomniacs are especially welcome. Those shifts are the hardest to fill.”

Brewer said he will need three volunteers at all times, specifically two timing officials and one crew member. While the requested shift length is four hours, he said that he welcomes any level of participation.

Spectators are encouraged to watch the record attempt.

For Brewer, the challenge is not solely about setting a world record.

“There are a lot of endurance athletes in Sedona who have been inspiring,” Brewer said. “You don’t know until you try, and setting a goal, working toward it and giving it your best shot is always worthwhile.”

Residents who are interested in volunteering for Brewer may contact him at bbrewer@springfieldcollege.edu or (413) 896-3538.