Guinness World Records has officially recognised Samson Ajao’s remarkable achievement of reading aloud for 215 hours, describing it as one of the longest marathon attempts in GWR history.
According to an article published on their website on Wednesday, Ajao read over 100 books on topics including finance, sales, management, leadership, politics, health, and mental wellness.
In May, Ajao’s friends and supporters celebrated in the streets of Osogbo after he reached 215 hours, setting a new world record.
Credit| Facebook: Samson Olalekan Ajao
According to GWR, the previous record of 124 hours, set in 2022 by Rysbai Isakov of Kyrgyzstan, was surpassed by Samson Ajao, who read for nearly nine full days.
The article noted, “27-year-old Samson Ajao from Osogbo, Nigeria, has achieved the world’s longest marathon reading aloud, clocking in at 215 hours—just one hour shy of nine full days.
“To set this record, the challenger must read aloud continuously from published works, with no more than a 30-second pause between items.
“As per our rules for all ‘longest marathon’ records, Samson took five minutes of rest after each hour of reading, amounting to two hours per day. During these breaks, he could eat, sleep, use the bathroom, or change clothes.”
Before the attempt, Ajao consulted medical professionals on the best foods and drinks to preserve his voice and reduce the need for breaks.
In an interview with NTA News, Ajao revealed that he didn’t sleep during his breaks. “Even when it’s tough, you have to keep going to meet your target,” he said.
Credit: GWR
Ajao aimed to set the record to promote literacy and “inspire a reading culture in Nigeria.”
“Following the ‘read-a-thon,’ Samson and his supporters celebrated with a parade through the streets.
“Among the celebrants were Samson’s parents, who expressed their pride in his achievement,” GWR noted.
The record attempt was observed by various dignitaries, including Osun State House of Assembly Speaker Ngozi Adeleke and Education Commissioner Dipo Eluwole.
Highlighting the history of the longest reading aloud marathons, GWR stated that the “record has a rich history, dating all the way 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 feat was later surpassed by Nepal’s Deepak Sharma Bajagain in 2008, who achieved a remarkable 113 hours and 15 minutes.
Rysbai Isakov, however, raised the bar, improving upon Bajagain’s record by almost 11 hours.
“These remarkable feats are now dwarfed by Samson’s record,” GWR said.
“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.”
