Guinness World Records has approved a new world record by Kenyan environmentalist Truphena Muthoni for the longest marathon hugging a tree, after she remained embraced with a tree for an extraordinary 72 hours.
In a statement released on January 26, 2026, Guinness World Records ratified the endurance feat, which drew international attention, highlighting a unique and deeply symbolic form of environmental activism rooted in care, connection, and sustainability.
“Truphena Muthoni from Kenya has set the record for longest marathon hugging a tree with an unbelievable total of 72 hours,” the Authority said in a statement.
“Hugging a tree shows that nature is not separate from us; it is family," the global authority added.
Muthoni, a 22-year-old climate advocate and founder of the initiative Hug the Earth, pushed her limits further by completing a 72-hour tree-hugging session on December 8, 2025, surpassing her previous 48-hour tree-hugging marathon to raise awareness about the profound impact of tree hugging on mental and emotional well-being.
The record has seen intense competition over the past two years. It was first set in 2024 by Uganda’s Faith Patricia Ariokot with a time of 16 hours and six seconds, before being broken later that year by Ghana’s Abdul Hakim Awal, who managed 24 hours, 21 minutes, and four seconds.
Muthoni first claimed the title in February 2025 with a 48-hour embrace, briefly lost it to Ghana’s Frederick Boakye at just over 50 hours, then reclaimed it decisively with her record-shattering 72-hour performance.
Reflecting on her journey, Muthoni said her first attempt was symbolic, while the second was a deeper commitment.
“The first attempt was a statement, a way to reintroduce humanity to the Earth through a simple, intimate act,” she explained. “The second attempt was a commitment. I realized that the world needed more than symbolism; it needed endurance, consistency, and proof that care for the planet is not momentary.”
An ambassador of the 15 Billion Trees Campaign, Muthoni said she learned critical lessons about preparation and self-care after her initial attempt.
She admitted that dry fasting and intense physical training during her first record attempt strained her body. “I later realized this approach was a mistake,” she said, noting the health risks involved.
For the second attempt, she focused on hydration, calm preparation, and respecting her body’s limits.
As with all marathon records, she earned five minutes of rest for every hour completed, which she managed strategically.
Despite challenges such as sleep deprivation, Muthoni said the experience reinforced her belief that endurance is about balance, not suffering.
She dedicated her record to environmental protection, Indigenous wisdom, and people living with disabilities, even blindfolding herself after surpassing her earlier 48-hour mark.
“I see my record not as a personal victory, but as offering time back to the Earth,” she said. “Before we plant a million trees, we must nurture a million hearts that care.”
