Full Breakdown
Canadian Grandmother Sets New Female Plank World Record at Huntsman Senior Games
By Drooid · · How we work
Record-Breaking Five-Hour Plank
DonnaJean Wilde, a 61-year-old Canadian, held an abdominal plank for five continuous hours at the Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George, Utah, in early October. The attempt began at 3:03 p.m. and concluded at 8:03 p.m., with judges rotating throughout the duration. Wilde’s achievement surpasses her own previous mark of four hours, thirty minutes and eleven seconds, which she set on March 21, 2004 at a Canadian high school where she once served as vice-principal. Guinness World Records officials are reviewing the new time for official confirmation.
Background & Context
Wilde first incorporated planking into her routine after a broken wrist in 2013 forced her to exercise while wearing a cast. The exercise allowed her to read and work on a computer, leading her to adopt it permanently. During the COVID-19 pandemic, her children challenged her to see how long she could hold the position; she managed two hours, prompting a more serious training regimen in 2023 that combined push-ups, weight-lifting, running, and extensive planking.
In addition to the plank, Wilde set a Guinness record for the most push-ups in 60 minutes—1,575 reps—in 2024, a record later surpassed but indicative of her broader strength-training focus.
Data & Statistics
- New plank duration: 5 hours 0 minutes (300 minutes).
- Previous female record: 4 hours 30 minutes 11 seconds (set March 21, 2004).
- Age reported: 61 years (Fox News, KSL) vs. 58 years.
- Grandchildren: 12, who reportedly encouraged her during the attempt.
- Additional Guinness record: 1,575 push-ups in one hour (2024).
Official Statements & Responses
Kyle Case, chief executive officer of the Huntsman World Senior Games, described the event as a demonstration that age need not limit personal achievement and highlighted the supportive atmosphere created by spectators and volunteers. A spokesperson for the World Senior Games confirmed that judges monitored Wilde’s form to ensure compliance with Guinness standards, noting that forearms and toes must remain on the ground while the body stays straight throughout the hold. Guinness officials indicated that the new time will be added to the record database pending verification.
Wilde herself noted that the first two hours felt relatively easy, while the final two hours were markedly more demanding, with elbow pain and tension in her quads increasing as the attempt progressed. She emphasized the importance of controlled breathing, staying calm, and focusing on form during the last hour.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on Wilde’s exact age at the time of the record. Fox News and KSL identify her as 61 years old, whereas Boldsky describes her as 58 years old. No additional clarification is provided in the available reports, leaving the precise age unconfirmed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The crowd there and the energy and everybody cheering was just fantastic.” — Kyle Case, chief executive officer of the Huntsman World Senior Games
- “It's recognizing where you're at right now and that you don't have to stop; you can continue to do the things that you do,” — Kyle Case, chief executive officer of the Huntsman World Senior Games
These statements capture the atmosphere and philosophy expressed by Huntsman World Senior Games leadership during Wilde’s record-breaking performance.