Kenya’s Truphena Muthoni breaks record for longest tree-hugging marathon, In a remarkable testament to endurance and environmental advocacy, Kenyan climate activist Truphena Muthoni has officially set a new Guinness World Record by hugging a tree continuously for 72 hours.
The feat, achieved in Nyeri County in December 2025 and ratified on January 26, 2026, surpassed her own earlier benchmark of 48 hours, underscoring her commitment to raising awareness for indigenous tree protection and conservation.
Muthoni, an environmental conservationist and sustainability advocate from Mathira, Nyeri, endured cold nights and long days without rest to complete the challenge. Her declaration that “hugging a tree shows that nature is not separate from us, it is family” became a viral message of connection between humans and the natural world, resonating with supporters across Kenya and beyond.
Her achievement adds to Kenya’s growing legacy of Guinness World Records honours.
Among the country’s most celebrated record holders is Eliud Kipchoge, recognised for becoming the first person to run a marathon in under two hours during the 2019 INEOS 1:59 Challenge, a landmark moment in athletics that captivated global audiences.
Olympic and world champion David Rudisha also appears in Guinness record listings for his iconic 800-metre performance at the London 2012 Olympics, while legendary runner Tegla Loroupe holds multiple endurance running records over long distances.
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Kenya’s influence in global records extends beyond athletics. Kimani Ng’ang’a Maruge was recognised as the world’s oldest person to start primary school at age 84, inspiring many with his belief in lifelong learning.
Others include Joseph Love, who once held a record for hand-milking 531 litres of milk from 30 cows in 24 hours, and Alikhan Kazia, who claimed multiple record titles for precision table tennis trick shots.
Muthoni’s record not only highlights human perseverance but also draws attention to the vital importance of environmental stewardship at a time when conservation efforts are more critical than ever.
Truphena Muthoni from Kenya has set the record for longest marathon hugging a tree with an unbelievable total of 72 hours.
“Hugging a tree shows that nature is not separate from us, it is family.” pic.twitter.com/mf4R9UCRRj
— Guinness World Records (@GWR) January 26, 2026