Ololade Ayelabola, a student at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), achieved a new Guinness World Record (GWR) for the longest distance walked by a model by walking a catwalk of 130.62 kilometers.
Ayelabola, a model, began her 120-kilometer effort on October 1 at UNILAG’s indoor sports center.
After reaching 120 kilometers, the 500-level computer science student walked an additional 10 kilometers within the sports center, totaling 2,058 laps.
Ayelabola’s attempt was inspired by her two previous rejections from fashion shows owing to her height.
She hopes that the attempt will challenge prejudices and promote diversity in the fashion business.
The model also intends to showcase the originality of Nigeria’s fashion sector and promote tourism.
“I am not walking for myself alone. I am walking for the many models who have been limited by stereotypes and standards set by rigid systems,” she said.
“I am also walking to showcase the creativity of the Nigerian fashion industry.”
During the walk, she modeled clothing by Nigerian designers, as well as UNILAG’s theater arts department collection.
Ayelabola received assistance from 34 other models on the runway. Roberta Brown and Lorraine McCourt set a record 41 years ago by walking 114.4 km (71.1 miles) in Dublin, Ireland, from September 19 to September 21, 1983.
The GWR will also verify and authenticate the Nigerian lady’s achievement.
