There`s a new craze in jockeying circles, and that`s attempting to set records in marathon RJing.

Big FM has been the trendsetter in this arena, with its Chennai RJ Dheena going on air continuously for 92 hours seven minutes last month.

RJ duos Priya and Nitin from Delhi and Pragya and Rakesh from Kolkata completed a record of 100 hours of jockeying recently. Big FM Chennai RJ - Dheena

Marathon RJing is no mean feat, however. Dheena says he spent over a couple of months gearing up mentally for the big event. "It was a team effort. It wouldn`t have been possible without my team`s support. I`d to do a lot of preparation before I actually started. I did yoga and a lot of exercise to improve concentration. I would like to make a bigger record to get into the Guinness world records." Dedication is the buzzword among RJs, even though for the stations involved, it does reap extra dividends in terms of buzz and heightened listener curiosity. Mumbai based RJ Anirudh, who was part of the Big FM marathons as a co-host on some of the shows says he would love to do a similar act.

"I would love to do something like this, and I have the stamina to be on air for 200 hours at a stretch. It`s a great promotional activity too, and RJs must utilise the fact they can interact with listeners and connect to them."

Avers radio consultant Ravi I Yaar, "RJs have, since the outset of radio, tried to be different. At a time when all stations are trying to find an identity, jocks are the only ones that make the difference. To some extent, a marathon on air is a publicity gimmick for the station but for the RJ it`s a commendable job! Double jocks would yet find it easy but a single jock like Dheena must have had a tough time."

International record holders include: 1Johnnie Walker (WUAG Radio) 175 hours 20072Stefano Venneri (BBSI Radio) 125 hours 20063Robin Vember Rhodes (Music Radio) 126 hours in 20064Suresh Joachim (Tamil Radio) 120 hours 20035Glen Jones (WFMU) 100 hours in 20016Greg Daines (Radio Chelmsford) 73 hours in 20017Simon Mayo (BBC Radio1) 37 hours in 1999

Radio Mirchi`s RJ Sana has a different take on the idea, though. "It`s good that RJs are trying something new. An RJ`s job is quite challenging. as it is. When there are cricket matches and updates to be done, we are on air all day long. But practically no listener would listen to the RJ for 100 hours at a stretch no matter how big a fan he is!"

"These RJs surely must have great energy. Such creative ideas strike you even when you have been in the industry for a long time and want to do something different," says 93.5 Red FM`s RJ Zoya. In her very bubbly ishtyle she laughs and adds, "In future if given an opportunity I don`t know if I`d take it up. But if I do radioandmusic.com would be the first one to know!"Big FM Chennai RJ - Dheena

Marathon RJing is no mean feat, however. Dheena says he spent over a couple of months gearing up mentally for the big event. "It was a team effort. It wouldn`t have been possible without my team`s support. I`d to do a lot of preparation before I actually started. I did yoga and a lot of exercise to improve concentration. I would like to make a bigger record to get into the Guinness world records." Dedication is the buzzword among RJs, even though for the stations involved, it does reap extra dividends in terms of buzz and heightened listener curiosity. Mumbai based RJ Anirudh, who was part of the Big FM marathons as a co-host on some of the shows says he would love to do a similar act.

"I would love to do something like this, and I have the stamina to be on air for 200 hours at a stretch. It`s a great promotional activity too, and RJs must utilise the fact they can interact with listeners and connect to them."

Avers radio consultant Ravi I Yaar, "RJs have, since the outset of radio, tried to be different. At a time when all stations are trying to find an identity, jocks are the only ones that make the difference. To some extent, a marathon on air is a publicity gimmick for the station but for the RJ it`s a commendable job! Double jocks would yet find it easy but a single jock like Dheena must have had a tough time."

International record holders include: 1Johnnie Walker (WUAG Radio) 175 hours 20072Stefano Venneri (BBSI Radio) 125 hours 20063Robin Vember Rhodes (Music Radio) 126 hours in 20064Suresh Joachim (Tamil Radio) 120 hours 20035Glen Jones (WFMU) 100 hours in 20016Greg Daines (Radio Chelmsford) 73 hours in 20017Simon Mayo (BBC Radio1) 37 hours in 1999

Radio Mirchi`s RJ Sana has a different take on the idea, though. "It`s good that RJs are trying something new. An RJ`s job is quite challenging. as it is. When there are cricket matches and updates to be done, we are on air all day long. But practically no listener would listen to the RJ for 100 hours at a stretch no matter how big a fan he is!"

"These RJs surely must have great energy. Such creative ideas strike you even when you have been in the industry for a long time and want to do something different," says 93.5 Red FM`s RJ Zoya. In her very bubbly ishtyle she laughs and adds, "In future if given an opportunity I don`t know if I`d take it up. But if I do radioandmusic.com would be the first one to know!"