The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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Truphena Muthoni, a 21-year-old environmentalist from Mathira Constituency, recently gained national attention for her attempt to break the 72-hour tree-hugging record.
From Tuesday to Thursday, she hugged an indigenous tree at the Nyeri Governor’s Office, braving harsh conditions for three days and nights to set the record.
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Her feat has sparked interest in what it really takes to set or break a Guinness World Record (GWR) and why people undertake such physically demanding challenges.
George Achoka, who attempted a marathon record on Valentine’s Day this year by giving 15,000 hugs in Nairobi’s CBD, shared insight into the process. He explained that the first step is identifying the specific record and creating an account on the Guinness World Records website to apply.
Applications are free unless the record has never been set before, in which case a fee is required. Applicants must also explain why they want to pursue the record.
GWR typically responds within 12 weeks, approving or declining the attempt. Once approved, they provide detailed rules and requirements for the record.
For marathon records like tree-hugging, the rules include:
- A continuously running clock throughout the attempt.
- Accredited witnesses present at all times, usually in shifts.
- Full video coverage of the attempt.
- In some cases, short documented breaks are allowed, often five minutes per hour.
Achoka noted that for his hug record, he hired an audit firm as witnesses. If someone wants a Guinness World Records representative present, they must cover travel and accommodation, as there are no local representatives in Kenya. Witnesses should be professionals relevant to the type of record being attempted; for Achoka, pollsters ensured accurate counting of 15,000 hugs.
There is no limit to the number of attempts one can make to break a record. However, all expenses, including witness fees, filming, and logistics, must be covered by the person attempting the record. Guinness World Records does not provide financial support for record attempts.
