Samson Ajao, a 27-year-old Nigerian from Osogbo, Osun State, has set a new Guinness World Record for the longest marathon reading aloud, achieving an astonishing 215 hours—just one hour short of nine full days. Ajao surpassed the previous record of 124 hours, set in 2022 by Rysbai Isakov from Kyrgyzstan.
To set the record, Ajao read aloud continuously from published works, observing strict guidelines, including no more than a 30-second pause between items being read. Over the course of his attempt, he read approximately 100 books covering various topics, including finance, sales, management, leadership, politics, health, and mental wellness.
“I wanted to inspire a reading culture and promote literacy development in Nigeria,” Ajao said, explaining his motivation for the record attempt.
The feat garnered significant public attention, with many people coming to listen, including notable figures such as Osun State House of Assembly Speaker Ngozi Adeleke and Education Commissioner Dipo Eluwole. Reflecting on the effort required, Ajao said, “Even when it’s tough, you have to get going to meet your target.”
As per the rules set by Guinness World Records, Ajao was allowed to accumulate five minutes of rest time for every hour of reading, totaling two hours of rest per day. During these breaks, he could eat, sleep, use the bathroom, or change his clothes.
Before the attempt, Ajao consulted medical professionals on maintaining his vocal health and minimizing the number of necessary breaks. His effort concluded with a celebratory parade through the streets, joined by his proud parents and supporters.
“This record has a rich history,” Guinness World Records stated, noting that it dates back to 1987 when Englishman Adrian Hilton recited the complete works of Shakespeare in a marathon lasting over 110 hours. Ajao’s achievement not only dwarfs previous records but also stands as one of the longest marathon record attempts in Guinness World Records history, surpassed only recently by DJ Faber Moreira’s 10-day DJ-ing marathon.
