RIO DE JANEIRO—In an extraordinary display of mental fortitude and physical endurance, Brazilian athlete Pepe Fiamonini has successfully completed a 24-hour treadmill run, covering an astonishing 188 kilometers (116 miles) along Ipanema beach. The grueling challenge, which equates to more than four consecutive marathons, was monitored via live stream by Guinness World Records officials for validation.
The 35-year-old endurance specialist, who began his athletic journey during the COVID-19 pandemic, permitted himself only minimal breaks for essential needs such as footwear changes and restroom visits. Fiamonini described his motivation to AFP reporters as stemming from profound curiosity about human capabilities: ‘I define myself with one word: curious. I’m curious about my abilities.’
This achievement marks what is expected to be Fiamonini’s third Guinness World Record. His previous accomplishments include a remarkable 170-kilometer crossing of Bolivia’s Uyuni salt flats in May 2023—completed in just over 33 hours at 3,600 meters altitude with temperature extremes from 30°C to -10°C—shattering the previous record by 22 hours. In October, he additionally set a 12-hour treadmill record of 110 kilometers as preparation for this ultimate test.
Fiamonini’s athletic evolution began with an Iron Man triathlon, which he considered the ‘pinnacle of human capacity,’ before progressing to an Ultraman competition more than double the distance. His latest endeavor was specifically designed to conquer mental barriers by embracing what he found most tedious: ‘Running non-stop in the same place.’