Guinness World Records (GWR) has officially recognised Samson Ajao’s extraordinary achievement of reading aloud for 215 hours, marking it as one of the longest marathon record attempts in the history of GWR.
The announcement was made in an article published on the GWR website on Wednesday, noting that Ajao read over 100 books across a range of subjects, including finance, sales, management, leadership, politics, health, and mental wellness.
Ajao, a 27-year-old from Osogbo, Nigeria, shattered the previous record of 124 hours set by Rysbai Isakov of Kyrgyzstan in 2022 by reading continuously for nearly nine full days.
GWR explained that to achieve the record, participants must read aloud from published works without more than a 30-second pause between texts.
As per the rules for all “longest marathon” records, Ajao was allowed five minutes of rest for every hour of reading, totaling two hours per day, during which he could eat, sleep, use the bathroom, or change clothes.
In preparation for his record attempt, Ajao consulted medical professionals to identify foods and drinks that would preserve his voice and minimize the number of toilet breaks needed.
However, in an interview with NTA News, he revealed that he did not sleep during his breaks. “Even when it’s tough, you have to keep going to meet your target,” Ajao said, emphasising his commitment to achieving his goal.
Ajao’s primary motivation for the marathon reading was to promote literacy development and inspire a culture of reading in Nigeria.
Following the successful completion of his “read-a-thon,” Ajao and his supporters paraded through the streets to celebrate, with his parents expressing pride in his accomplishment.
The record attempt attracted the attention of several dignitaries, including the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Ngozi Adeleke, and the Education Commissioner, Dipo Eluwole, who were present to witness the historic event.
Highlighting the history of marathon reading aloud records, GWR noted that the “record has a rich history, dating back to 1987 when Englishman Adrian Hilton recited the complete works of Shakespeare in a ‘bard-a-thon’ lasting 110 hours and 46 minutes.”
This was later surpassed by Nepal’s Deepak Sharma Bajagain in 2008, who set a new record of 113 hours and 15 minutes. Isakov’s 124-hour record stood until it was eclipsed by Ajao’s remarkable feat.
“These remarkable feats are now dwarfed by Samson’s record,” GWR stated, adding that “not only is it the world’s longest marathon reading aloud, but it is one of the longest marathon record attempts in Guinness World Records history, surpassed in recent times only by DJ Faber Moreira’s 10-day DJ-ing marathon.”
Samson Ajao’s record-setting effort has drawn global attention, further highlighting the potential and perseverance of Nigerians on the world stage.
For information on Press Releases, Photos, Promotional Events and Adverts, Please message us on WhatsApp via (+234) 09052129258, 08124662170 or send an email to: info@educeleb.com.
