The 22-year-old completed the marathon from Dec. 8 to Dec. 11, 2025, at the Nyeri Governor’s Office compound, enduring three days without eating or sleeping while maintaining her embrace of a single tree.
“Truphena’s goal with this record attempt was to elevate and advocate for the protection of indigenous trees and to honour the wisdom of indigenous peoples,” Guinness World Records said in a statement. “She broke her own record of 48 hours, set earlier in 2025.”
The record journey began in February 2025 when Muthoni first shattered the existing mark with a 48-hour attempt in Nairobi’s Michuki Park. That achievement surpassed Ghana’s Abdul Hakim Awal, who held the record at 24 hours, 21 minutes.
Between her two attempts, Ghana’s Frederick Boakye briefly claimed the record at 50 hours before Muthoni reclaimed it with her 72-hour feat.
Speaking after the recognition, Muthoni explained the deeper meaning behind her dual attempts. “The first attempt was a statement, a way to reintroduce humanity to the Earth through a simple, intimate act,” she said. “The second attempt was a commitment.”
She emphasized that climate action requires sustained dedication. “I realised that the world needed more than symbolism; it needed endurance, consistency, and proof that care for the planet is not momentary,” Muthoni said. “Doing it twice was my way of saying that climate action is not a one-off event but a sustained responsibility.”
Muthoni, founder of the Hug the Earth initiative and an ambassador for the 15 Billion Trees Campaign, learned valuable lessons between her two attempts. For her first record, she practiced dry fasting and reduced water intake to prepare her body for extended periods without hydration.
“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.
For her second attempt, she significantly increased her water intake in the weeks leading up to the challenge and adopted a calmer, more strategic preparation method.
“This made a remarkable difference; I was not physically tired at all during the attempt,” she said. “The main challenge I experienced was sleepiness, largely because I missed proper sleep the day before the record began.”
According to Guinness World Records marathon rules, participants earn five minutes of rest for every hour of activity. Muthoni could take breaks hourly or save them for longer rest periods.
Her record attempt drew widespread support across Kenya. Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga flagged off the three-day marathon, while pan-Africanist advocate PLO Lumumba visited on the second day to show his support. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also congratulated her publicly.
The marathon faced its most dramatic moment in the final minutes when supporters nearly caused a stampede. “I was nearly stepped on before I was rescued and taken to an ambulance,” Muthoni said during a TikTok Live interview after completing the challenge.
President William Ruto recognized her achievement by appointing her as an ambassador for Kenya’s 15 billion tree-planting campaign. The Kenya Wildlife Service and Kenya Tourism Board also extended a fully sponsored holiday experience to Muthoni and her team.
Through her record-breaking attempts, Muthoni hopes to spread a message of peaceful environmental activism. “Hugging a tree shows that nature is not separate from us; it is family,” she said. “If one person can stay connected for 72 hours, then surely humanity can learn to protect what still sustains us.”
Her philosophy centers on love-based conservation. “Before we plant a million trees, we must nurture a million hearts that care,” Muthoni said. “Conservation should come from a place of love instead of instruction.”
