Ololade Ayelabola Sets Guinness World Record For Longest Distance Walked By A Model

Ololade Ayelabola has set the Guinness World Record for the longest distance walked by a model.

Glamtush reports that Ololade Ayelabola has officially set a Guinness World Record for the longest distance walked on a catwalk by a model.

Recall that in October 2024, Ololade walked an impressive 125.11 km (77.74 miles) over four days at the University of Lagos Indoor Sports Centre, a record now officially verified by Guinness World Records.

Her monumental feat, which involved completing 2,058 laps at the Indoor Sports Centre of the University of Lagos, surpassed the 120 km she initially set out to walk, showcasing her determination and focus in pushing beyond her target. It follows a record that was established 41 years ago by Roberta Brown and Lorraine McCourt, who walked 114.4 km (71.1 miles) in Ireland in 1983.

Ololade’s initial target was to walk 120 km over 96 hours, but she surpassed her target, beginning the walk on October 1st—Nigeria’s Independence Day—and finishing on October 5th at the University of Lagos Indoor Sports Centre.

For Ololade, the walk was about more than just breaking a record. After facing rejection from fashion shows due to her height, she wanted to challenge the standards that often limit models in the fashion industry.

“I’m not walking for myself alone,” she said, “I’m walking for the many models who have been limited by stereotypes and standards set by rigid systems. I’m also walking to showcase the creativity of the Nigerian fashion industry.”

Throughout the walk, she modeled outfits by various Nigerian designers, ranging from casual wear to traditional attire. She was supported by fellow models and throngs of University of Lagos students who came out to cheer her on.