I’m 92-years-old and set the record for the oldest person to cross the Grand Canyon on foot- here is my advice on longevity

A 92-year-old has broken the record for the oldest person to complete a 24-mile course through the Grand Canyon after completing the trek in 21 hours.

Guinness World Records announced this week that Alfredo Aliaga Burdio, of Berlin, has set a new record for the oldest man to travel from rim to rim of the Grand Canyon on foot.

Mr Burdio earned his title after completing the walk on October 15, breaking the previous record held by John Jepkema, who was 91 years and 152 days old when he briefly held the title in March.

The National Park Foundation rates the rim-to-rim trail as strenuous and reports that less than one percent of the Grand Canyon's 5 million annual visitors embark on the journey.

The walk consists of a 23.3 kilometer section where visitors descend 1800 meters to the bottom of the gorge. Then hikers trek another 9.6 miles, climbing another 13,500 feet.

Despite only beginning to live a healthy lifestyle at age 76, Mr. Burdio attributes his fitness and longevity to four things: a healthy diet, drinking mostly water, walking 30 minutes a day and getting eight hours of sleep a night .

Mr. Burdio completed the challenge with his daughter and her husband in October 2023

However, this has not deterred Mr. Burdio, who has hiked the Grand Canyon in Arizona several times. In January 2023, he began training for the rim-to-rim walk, starting with daily eight-mile walks.

Mr. Burdio told Guinness: 'I noticed that training every day made a difference.'

He also attributed his fitness and longevity to four factors, The Guardian reported: Watching what he eats, drinking water, walking for 30 minutes every day, and “sleeping in the dark of night for eight hours.”

Although his attempt was initially scheduled for May, snow and meltwater damage closed several trails along his route.

After postponing his trip, Mr. Burdio was finally able to get underway, boarding the ship at 6 a.m. on October 14. He made a brief pit stop at a lookout point at 6:20 a.m. to watch the sunrise before resuming what would be an arduous journey.

Mr. Burdio and his group started at the North Rim Trailhead and hiked 11 hours and 15 minutes on the first day. They reached Phantom Ranch, which has lodging for hikers.

On the second day, it took the group 10 hours to reach the South Rim Trailhead, where they finished and Mr. Burdio cemented his place in the record books.

Now the 92-year-old wants to set new records by becoming the oldest person to walk trails through South America's Andes Mountains

Mr. Burdio began training for the edge-to-edge walk by taking eight-mile walks daily

The path along the edge-to-edge walk is very steep in places, but the 92-year-old made sure to take short breaks every hour.

He said: 'I was very tired after those first five hours. What surprised me is that after a break of about 15 minutes, some food and electrolytes, I recovered and felt strong again and ready to tackle the next seven hours.”

Mr Burdio added that walking slowly and steadily and staying mentally motivated is key: 'I think about the next step and the next, and not about how far I have to go.

'Then it is not so overwhelming and very doable.'

The avid hiker completed the journey with his daughter, her husband and two volunteer witnesses to monitor and document his attempt.

He said, “Can you believe that two people who would normally cross the Canyon within eight hours agreed to be witnesses, walked at my speed and were unwavering in their support.”

His entire journey took 34 hours and 2 minutes, although the actual walking time was 21 hours and 15 minutes.

Although many visitors have successfully completed the rim-to-rim trail, the National Park Foundation warns that even the most avid hikers and physically fit people should take training seriously – comparing the trail to climbing Mt Whitney in California, the highest peak in the contiguous United States.

Mr Burdio said he hopes his achievement shows others that it is never too late to do what you love and achieve new goals, adding that he only started living a “healthy lifestyle” at the age of 76 to lead.

The 92-year-old has further plans to hike the Grand Canyon later this year, but will not be looking to set a new record. Instead, he has his sights set on setting new records by becoming the oldest person to hike trails in South America's Andes Mountains.

Although he added: 'But I have to see how I do. I'm getting older.'