Guinness World Records is a global authority in the complex realm of record-breaking achievements. The initiative is only partially immune to ethical shortcomings. Hilda Baci’s recent record-breaking attempt offers an opportunity to peer into what makes a world record ‘official’ according to Guinness.
Imagine running for 100 miles, setting what you consider a world record, and then finding out it doesn’t count. That was the experience of American professional ultrarunner, Camille Herron. Last year, Heron completed the race in 12 hours 41 minutes 11 seconds, a whole minute faster than her own world record of 12:42:40, which she set in 2017.
Of course, like all world records, Herron’s ‘record’ underwent an extensive review process to become official. The course was remeasured in February 2022 and again in October 2022. It was determined that the course had been slightly altered and was short by 716 feet. As a result, a USA Track & Field committee decided not to ratify the record.
Fast forward to 2023; another record is on the verge of being broken. This time, it is not 100 miles, but 100 straight hours of cooking, a feat recently accomplished by Nigerian chef, Hilda Baci. Upon writing, Baci’s record remains unofficial. Approval from the Guinness World Records team can take up to twelve weeks but could be expedited by the Guinness Priority Evidence Review service. Like Herron, Baci will have to await the outcome of a process that, in the end, could disqualify her amazing feat...
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