Senior rowers in Marlow are limbering up for a world record attempt this weekend as they aim to row a distance equivalent to the edge of space as quickly as possible. 

A squad from Marlow Rowing Club – all aged between 50 and 59 - will take turns to reach the 100,000m mark in the fastest time.

They hope to unseat a Croatian squad who hold the record of just over seven and a half hours using Concept 2 indoor rowing machines.

The Marlow crew will consist of four women and six men and the attempt will take place on Saturday at the club’s new £2.5m home on the banks of the Thames. 

Club spokesman Charlotte Peters said: "The row is on a single ergo (rowing machine) and the flywheel is not allowed to stop. 

"The team take turns in rotation and will be changing roughly every minute so quick changeovers are key - like the Formula 1 pitstops."

The required distance of 100,000m is the same as the official line marking the boundary of space, which the crew hope to reach in around six and a half hours. 

And the feat is roughly the same as rowing the length of the high speed rail line linking London and the Channel Tunnel.