Truphena Muthoni, a dedicated environmental advocate from Kenya, has achieved a remarkable feat by establishing a new Guinness World Record for the longest marathon hugging a tree, lasting 72 hours.
On January 26, Guinness World Records announced their recognition of Muthoni's accomplishment, stating that her action serves as a powerful message regarding the need to protect our planet, highlighting her role as a passionate activist.
"Truphena Muthoni has achieved the record for the longest tree-hugging marathon with an astounding duration of 72 hours," stated Guinness World Records.
This record was initially set in 2024 by another competitor, Faith Patricia Ariokot from Uganda, who completed 16 hours and 6 seconds. Subsequently, Abdul Hakim Awal from Ghana surpassed that record in the same year with a time of 24 hours, 21 minutes, and 4 seconds. In February 2025, Muthoni reclaimed the title by breaking the record with a new 48-hour mark. Frederick Boakye from Ghana briefly held the record after setting a time of 50 hours, 2 minutes, and 28 seconds, only for Muthoni to reclaim it with her latest achievement.
At just 22 years of age, Muthoni launched her initiative called Hug the Earth. She explained to Guinness World Records that her first attempt was meant to introduce humanity to its relationship with the Earth, while her second attempt was driven by a sense of commitment.
“The first attempt was a statement, a way to reintroduce humanity to the Earth through a simple, intimate act,” she shared.
“The second attempt was grounded in commitment. I realized that the world required more than symbolism; it needed endurance, consistency, and evidence that caring for the planet is a continuous effort. By attempting it twice, I was expressing that climate action is a persistent commitment rather than a fleeting event.”
Muthoni, who serves as an ambassador for the 15 Billion Trees Campaign, noted that lessons learned from her initial attempt enabled her to extend her duration significantly during her second attempt. During her first preparation, she focused on dry fasting and minimizing water intake to condition her body for long periods without sustenance.
However, she later recognized this method as detrimental, causing unnecessary stress on her kidneys and increasing the likelihood of health complications.
“I over-prepared physically the first time, driven by nerves rather than strategy. In my second attempt, I dramatically increased my water intake in the weeks leading up to the challenge, conditioning my body properly and ensuring my organs were protected, alongside a calm and confident approach to preparation,” she elaborated.
“This change made a tremendous difference; I felt physically refreshed throughout the attempt. The primary challenge was fatigue, mainly due to lack of sleep the night before the record began. Overall, I learned that endurance is built on proper preparation and respecting the body's limits rather than deprivation or sheer intensity.”
As part of her record attempt, Muthoni earned breaks of five minutes for every hour she participated. Guinness World Records noted that it was her choice to take a break every hour or to conserve those minutes for a more extended rest.
Guinness stated, “Through her record attempts, Muthoni aspires to convey a universal message that healing the planet does not involve violence, conflict, or fear.”
“Hugging a tree illustrates that nature is inherently linked to us; it is family. If one individual can maintain a connection for 72 hours, then surely humanity can learn to protect the environment that sustains us. Furthermore, before we commit to planting a million trees, we must cultivate a million hearts filled with care. Conservation should stem from love rather than dictates.”
A video of Muthoni's marathon hugging the tree can be viewed below.
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