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USA
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Tourism

Guinness World Records: 92-Year-Old Becomes Oldest Person to Successfully Hike Grand Canyon Rim to Rim

  • Guinness World Records: 92-Year-Old Becomes Oldest Person to Successfully Hike Grand Canyon Rim to Rim
    Alfredo Aliaga Burdio Guinness World Records: 92-Year-Old Becomes Oldest Person to Successfully Hike Grand Canyon Rim to Rim
Region:
USA
Category:
Tourism
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In an awe-inspiring accomplishment, 92-year-old Alfredo Aliaga Burdio has secured his place in history by becoming the oldest person to traverse the Grand Canyon rim to rim on foot. This feat, completed in mid-October, not only showcases Aliaga's indomitable spirit but also sends a powerful message: it's never too late to embrace new challenges and lead a healthy lifestyle.

Born in Spain and currently residing in Berlin, Aliaga shared in an interview with the Guinness World Records that he embarked on his journey to a healthier life at the age of 76. His dedication to maintaining well-being includes mindful eating, predominantly consuming water, engaging in a daily 30-minute walk, and ensuring a full eight hours of sleep in the dark of the night.

Guinness World Records took notice of Aliaga's extraordinary achievement, acknowledging his trek across the Grand Canyon as a record-setting accomplishment. The 24-mile (38.6km) journey, completed at the age of 92, adds another layer to the narrative that age should never be a barrier to pursuing dreams and conquering physical challenges.

In the interview, Aliaga credited his longevity to these four key factors, demonstrating that adopting a healthy lifestyle later in life can have profound effects. Notably, his habits align with several of the health measures recommended by the American Heart Association, as revealed in data from a study encompassing 6,500 adults published in November.

Aliaga's motivation for attempting the rim-to-rim hike stemmed from reading about John Jepkema, who set the record at 91 years old in March. Inspired by Jepkema's achievement, Aliaga saw an opportunity to surpass the record, given that he was only a few months younger.

“I admired [him] immensely,” Aliaga expressed to Guinness. “I knew that I was only a few months younger than Mr. Jepkema had been and thought that I had a great shot at setting a new record.”

Alfredo Aliaga Burdio's story serves as an inspiration to individuals of all ages, proving that determination and a commitment to a healthy lifestyle can lead to remarkable accomplishments, even in the golden years of life.