Look: Kenya activist breaks world record by hugging tree for 72 hours

Truphena Muthoni broke the Guinness World Record for the longest marathon hugging a tree. Photo courtesy of Guinness World Records

Jan. 26 (UPI) -- A Kenyan environmental activist broke a Guinness World Record by keeping her arms wrapped around the trunk of a tree for 72 consecutive hours.

Truphena Muthoni, 22, earned the title for the longest marathon hugging a tree when she surpassed the previous record of 50 hours, 2 minutes and 28 seconds, which was set by Frederick Boakye of Ghana.

Muthoni previously held the record when she hugged a tree for 48 hours in February 2025.

"The first attempt was a statement, a way to reintroduce humanity to the Earth through a simple, intimate act," Muthoni told Guinness World Records.

"The second attempt was a commitment. I realized 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," she said.