61-Year-Old Canadian Woman Smashes World Record With Five-Hour Plank

How long can you hold a plank? A minute? Two? Canadian athlete DonnaJean Wilde, 61, has managed to do something almost unimaginable this week: holding the position for over five hours straight to break her own women's world record.

A Remarkable Achievement in Utah

Wilde, a mother of five and grandmother of 12, completed the extraordinary feat during the opening ceremony of the Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George, Utah. She maintained the plank position for five hours and seven seconds while cheering spectators watched. Her previous record, set in March 2024, stood at four hours, 30 minutes, and 11 seconds. Organizers have announced a new world record, pending official approval from Guinness World Records.

"Her performance was mind-boggling," said Kyle Case, CEO of the World Senior Games, highlighting the incredible energy and crowd support in the arena.

Turning an Injury into a World Record

Behind the record lies a surprising story. Wilde, a former school teacher and vice-principal from Alberta, Canada, began training in planking about 12 years ago following a wrist injury that prevented her from lifting weights and running. She discovered she could perform the exercise without worsening her injury, and gradually, the plank became a central part of her routine. Over time, she even began reading books and working on her computer while holding the pose.

Ahead of breaking her previous record in 2024, Wilde shared that during certain periods she practiced planking for up to six hours a day. To have the attempt recognized by Guinness, she was required to keep her forearms and toes in contact with the ground, with the rest of her body lifted and straight. This time, she pushed her capability even further, extending her record by more than 29 minutes.