Nigerian model Ololade Ayelabola has officially been recognized by the Guinness World Records (GWR) for walking the longest distance on a catwalk.
On Monday, GWR announced that Ayelabola, a graduate of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), broke the record by walking 125.11 kilometers on a runway. She surpassed the previous record of 114.4 kilometers, set in 1983 by Roberta Brown and Lorraine McCourt in Ireland.
“The longest distance walked on a catwalk by a model is 125.11 km (77.74 mi) and was achieved by Ololade Ayelabola (Nigeria) in Lagos, Nigeria, on October 1, 2024,” GWR confirmed in a blog post.
In a video celebrating her achievement, Ayelabola encouraged others to chase their dreams. “Dare to dream and make your dream a reality,” she said.
She revealed that her attempt was inspired by past rejections from fashion events due to her height. Determined to challenge industry standards, she used this record to promote inclusivity in fashion and highlight Nigeria’s creative talent.
The record-breaking walk took place at UNILAG’s indoor sports center, where she modeled outfits from Nigerian designers, including a collection from the university’s theater arts department. She was also supported by 34 other models who joined her on the runway.
Ayelabola’s achievement has not only placed her in the Guinness World Records but has also sparked conversations about breaking barriers in the fashion industry.
