Truphena Muthoni receives Guinness World Records badge after hugging a tree for 48 hours

Truphena Muthoni has officially received her badge from Guinness World Records, formally recognising her record-breaking endurance feat of hugging a tree continuously for 48 hours.

The badge, issued by Guinness World Records, confirms Muthoni as the “Record Breaker” for the longest marathon hugging a tree, marking her place in the organisation’s global record books.

According to Guinness World Records, the record was achieved on February 2, 2025.

The official document states:

"Longest marathon hugging a tree is 48:00:00 hours, achieved in Nairobi, Kenya on February 2, 2025."

The badge bears the organisation’s official seal and identifies Muthoni as a verified record holder.

The attempt required continuous physical contact with a single tree for a full 48 hours; any interruption would have disqualified the attempt.

Guinness World Records is known for its detailed verification process, which includes reviewing evidence, timing records, and documentation before confirming any record.

The issuance of the badge indicates that Muthoni’s attempt met all requirements and has been validated according to the organisation’s global standards.

"New Year comes with official Record Breaker Badge," Muthoni said on Facebook.

Muthoni’s record now joins thousands of others documented by Guinness World Records across a wide range of human achievements

In a previous interview, Muthoni said she undertook the attempt to “raise awareness about the profound impact of tree hugging on mental and emotional well-being.”

She spent more than five months preparing, with a training regimen that included 42-kilometre walks, strength conditioning, and 12-hour test runs, hugging a tree to build stamina and mental resilience.

Muthoni’s achievement surpasses the previous record of 24 hours and 21 minutes, set by 23-year-old Ghanaian journalist Abdul Hakim Awal during a “tree-hug-a-thon” outside the Kumasi Cultural Centre.

Awal had earlier broken a 16-hour record set by Uganda’s Faith Patricia Ariokot.

Awal’s attempt was linked to environmental advocacy; he pledged to plant one tree for every minute spent hugging the tree, eventually planting 1,461 seedlings.

Following confirmation of her 48-hour record, Muthoni said: "It's finally home. My 48 hours for the longest marathon hugging a tree have been recorded. Thank you, God. Thank you, Kenyans, for your support. Now waiting for the 72 hours of non-stop tree hugging to be recorded."

Her recent 72-hour tree-hugging attempt is still under review and has not yet been officially recognised by Guinness World Records.