Longest tree-hugging marathon Guinness World Record holder Truphena Muthoni on Tuesday visited James Irungu, a 30-year-old man from Murang’a, who is attempting to hug a tree continuously for 80 hours to raise cancer awareness. Irungu entered the second day of his endurance challenge at the heart of Murang’a town.
Irungu, who began the challenge on Sunday night, said his goal is to draw attention to the growing cancer burden in the country and push the government to declare cancer a national disaster.
He said he was inspired by Truphena’s previous record-breaking tree-hugging attempts, noting that while he has not yet contacted Guinness World Records to ratify his effort, the process has already been initiated.
Irungu lamented that cancer has devastated many families, including his own, leaving some impoverished and claiming numerous lives, yet little has been done to address the crisis.
Murang’a County Youth Affairs and Sports CECM Manoah Gachucha, who also paid a visit to the site, pledged to support Irungu with goodies upon the successful completion of the 80-hour challenge.
Truphena currently holds the Guinness World Record for the longest tree-hugging marathon at 48 hours, while her earlier 72-hour attempt in Nyeri County is still awaiting ratification by Guinness World Records.
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