The Guinness World Records has recognised Truphena Muthoni’s 72-hour tree-hugging world record.
In a statement on Monday, January 26, Guinness World Records described Muthoni’s feat as an act by a “passionate environmental activist from Kenya sending a strong message about protecting the Earth after hugging a tree for three whole days.”
“Truphena Muthoni has set the record for longest marathon hugging a tree with an unbelievable total of 72 hours,” Guinness World Records said.
“The record was first broken in 2024 by Faith Patricia Ariokot (Uganda) with a time of 16 hr 6 sec.”
According to Guinness World Records, Abdul Hakim Awal (Ghana) broke it in 2024 with 24 hours, 21 min, 4 sec, and Truphena first came along in February 2025 to take the title after setting a new 48-hour record.
Frederick Boakye (Ghana) very briefly held the record with a time of 50 hours 2 min 28 sec before Truphena took it back with her record-shattering time.
22-year-old Truphena, who has founded her own initiative called Hug the Earth, told Guinness that the first attempt was for introducing humanity, while the second one was commitment.
“The first attempt was a statement, a way to reintroduce humanity to the Earth through a simple, intimate act,” Truphena told Guinness.
“The second attempt was a commitment. I realised that the world needed more than symbolism; it needed endurance, consistency, and proof that care for the planet is not momentary. Doing it twice was my way of saying that climate action is not a one-off event but a sustained responsibility.”
Truphena, who is also an ambassador of the 15 Billion Trees Campaign, said she learned a lot from her first attempt that helped her go for so much longer the second time around. To prepare the first time, she engaged in dry fasting and reduced her water intake to train her body to go for long periods without it.
“However, I later realised this approach was a mistake, as it placed unnecessary strain on my kidneys and increased the risk of serious health complications,” she said.
“I also overprepared physically during my first attempt by doing strenuous exercises driven by nervousness rather than strategy. For my second attempt, I approached preparation very differently. I significantly increased my water intake in the weeks leading up to the challenge to properly condition my body and protect my organs, and I prepared in a calm, relaxed, and confident way.
“This made a remarkable difference; I was not physically tired at all during the attempt. The main challenge I experienced was sleepiness, largely because I missed proper sleep the day before the record began. Overall, the experience taught me that endurance is not about deprivation or intensity but about preparation, balance, and respecting the body’s limits.”
As with all the Guinness marathon record attempts, Truphena earned five minutes of rest for every hour of activity. Guiness said it was up to her to take a break every hour or save them up for a longer rest.
The GWR said: “Through her record attempts, Truphena hopes to spread a message throughout the world that healing the planet does not require violence, conflict, or fear.”
“Hugging a tree shows that nature is not separate from us; it is family. If one person can stay connected for 72 hours, then surely humanity can learn to protect what still sustains us. Also, before we plant a million trees, we must nurture a million hearts that care. Conservation should come from a place of love instead of instruction.”
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