NAIROBI, Kenya — Guinness World Records (GWR) has officially recognized Kenyan environmental activist Truphena Muthoni for setting a new global benchmark after hugging a tree continuously for 72 hours, a feat she says is meant to promote sustained climate action and environmental care.
The recognition confirms Truphena as the current holder of the longest marathon hugging a tree, a record that has changed hands several times since it was introduced in 2024.
The category was first set by Uganda’s Faith Patricia Ariokot with a time of 16 hours and six seconds. Ghanaian Abdul Hakim Awal later extended it to more than 24 hours, before Truphena first claimed the title in February 2025 with a 48-hour attempt.
The record was briefly surpassed by Ghana’s Frederick Boakye, who posted 50 hours, two minutes and 28 seconds, but Truphena reclaimed the title in decisive fashion, stretching the mark to an unprecedented 72 hours — a performance now validated by Guinness World Records.
Speaking after receiving confirmation from GWR, the 22-year-old activist said the achievement was less about endurance and more about delivering a lasting environmental message.
“The first attempt was a statement,” Truphena said. “The second was a commitment. I wanted to show that caring for the planet is not symbolic or temporary — it requires consistency.”
Truphena is the founder of the Hug the Earth initiative and an ambassador for the 15 Billion Trees Campaign, which promotes large-scale reforestation across Africa.
Environmental activist hugs a tree for three days straight to send powerful messageguinnessworldrecords.com/news/2026/1/en…
She said lessons from her initial attempt helped her refine her preparation and avoid health risks during the record-breaking challenge.
During her first effort, she relied on dry fasting and intense physical training, an approach she later abandoned.
“I realised that deprivation was not strength,” she said, noting that she significantly increased her water intake and adopted a calmer, more balanced preparation plan for the second attempt.
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.”
Under Guinness World Records marathon guidelines, participants are entitled to five minutes of rest for every hour of activity, which can be taken intermittently or accumulated for longer breaks.
Truphena said the experience reinforced her belief that environmental protection should be rooted in care rather than fear or confrontation.
“Hugging a tree shows that nature is not separate from us — it is family,” she said.
“If one person can remain connected for 72 hours, then humanity can learn to protect what still sustains us.”
Guinness World Records’ recognition places Truphena among a growing group of African environmental advocates using unconventional platforms to draw global attention to climate action and conservation.
