by Dewayne Bingham, Assistant Photo Editor
It’s no secret—the Scenic City is a hotspot for tree huggers. Many Chattanoogans pride themselves on environmental consciousness and the surrounding landscapes, namely the Tennessee River, Lookout Mountain and countless outdoor parks, offer recreation for locals and tourists alike.
But on Saturday, Sept. 19, Cleveland resident Adrienne Long took tree hugging to a whole new level by breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest time consecutively hugging a tree, which previously stood at eight hours. Long set the new Guinness World Record at Heritage Park in Brainerd, after standing for over ten hours and five minutes with her arms wrapped around a walnut tree.
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Kai Worley runs through a stream in Heritage Park while families enjoy a Saturday in the park and Adrienne Long attempts to break the Guinness World Record for the longest time consecutively hugging a tree. Long, who challenged herself to break the eight-hour record as a New Year’s resolution in honor of her late mother, hugged the walnut tree pictured above for just over ten hours. Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 (Photo by Dewayne Bingham)
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Adrienne Long attempts to break the Guinness World Record for the longest time consecutively hugging a tree. Long, who challenged herself to break the eight-hour record as a New Year’s resolution in honor of her late mother, hugged the walnut tree pictured above for just over ten hours. Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 (Photo by Dewayne Bingham)
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Adrienne Long clings to the bark of a walnut tree as she attempts to break the Guinness World Record for the longest time consecutively hugging a tree. Long, who challenged herself to break the eight-hour record as a New Year’s resolution in honor of her late mother, hugged the walnut tree for just over ten hours. Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 (Photo by Dewayne Bingham)
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Tammy Martin (foremost) leads Destiny Church’s D4G dance & worship group as they perform to energize and inspire Adrienne Long, who attempts to break the Guinness World Record for the longest time consecutively hugging a tree. Long, who challenged herself to break the eight-hour record as a New Year’s resolution in honor of her late mother, hugged the walnut tree pictured above for just over ten hours. Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 (Photo by Dewayne Bingham)
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Anquanette Cameron (foremost) prays with Destiny Church’s D4G dance & worship group for the strength and perseverance of Adrienne Long, who attempts to break the Guinness World Record for the longest time consecutively hugging a tree. Long, who challenged herself to break the eight-hour record as a New Year’s resolution in honor of her late mother, hugged the walnut tree pictured above for just over ten hours. Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 (Photo by Dewayne Bingham)
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Adrienne Long attempts to break the Guinness World Record for longest time consecutively hugging a tree. Long, who challenged herself to break the eight-hour record as a New Year’s resolution in honor of her late mother, hugged the walnut tree pictured above for just over ten hours. Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 (Photo by Dewayne Bingham)
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Tia Prater watches as her daughter, Malia, tosses stones into a stream at Heritage Park while Adrienne Long (not pictured) attempts to set the Guinness World Record for the longest time consecutively hugging a tree. Aside from the dance and exercise events planned around Adrienne Long’s record-breaking tree hug, many families contributed to the lively atmosphere by enjoying the park together. Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 (Photo by Dewayne Bingham)
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Adrienne Long takes in the atmosphere of Heritage Park between sips of a protein shake provided by Chattanooga Nutrition, as she attempts to set the Guinness World Record for the longest time consectively hugging a tree. Long, who challenged herself to break the eight-hour record as a New Year’s resolution in honor of her late mother, hugged the walnut tree pictured above for just over ten hours. Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 (Photo by Dewayne Bingham)
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Mayson Cogbill throws a baseball to his father Brandon as their friend Adrienne Long (not pictured) attempts to set the Guinness World Record for the longest time consecutively hugging a tree. Aside from the dance and exercise events planned around Adrienne Long’s record-breaking tree hug, many families contributed to the lively atmosphere by enjoying the park together. Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 (Photo by Dewayne Bingham)
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John and Linda Rogers play with their granddaughter, Addie, in Heritage Park while Adrienne Long (not pictured) attempts to set the Guinness World Record for the longest time consecutively hugging a tree. Aside from the dance and exercise events planned around Adrienne Long’s record-breaking tree hug, many families contributed to the lively atmosphere by enjoying the park together. Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 (Photo by Dewayne Bingham)
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Sarah Medley wraps a jacket around Adrienne Long as she attempts to break the Guinness World Record for longest time consecutively hugging a tree. Long, who challenged herself to break the eight-hour record as a New Year’s resolution in honor of her late mother, hugged the walnut tree pictured above for just over ten hours. Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 (Photo by Dewayne Bingham)
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Missy Crutchfield (left) leads guided meditation and yoga as Adrienne Long (right) attempts to break the Guinness World Record for longest time consecutively hugging a tree. Long, who challenged herself to break the eight-hour record as a New Year’s resolution in honor of her late mother, hugged the walnut tree pictured above for just over ten hours. Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 (Photo by Dewayne Bingham)
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Missy Crutchfield leads guided meditation and yoga as Adrienne Long (not pictured) attempts to break the Guinness World Record for longest time consecutively hugging a tree. Long, who challenged herself to break the eight-hour record as a New Year’s resolution in honor of her late mother, hugged the walnut tree pictured above for just over ten hours. Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 (Photo by Dewayne Bingham)
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Adrienne Long is interviewed by WDEF-TV Channel 12 News as she attempts to break the Guinness World Record for longest time consecutively hugging a tree. Long, who challenged herself to break the eight-hour record as a New Year’s resolution in honor of her late mother, hugged the walnut tree pictured above for just over ten hours. Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 (Photo by Dewayne Bingham)
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Adrienne Long stands with her dog, Cash, as she attempts to break the Guinness World Record for longest time consecutively hugging a tree. Long, who challenged herself to break the eight-hour record as a New Year’s resolution in honor of her late mother, hugged the walnut tree pictured above for just over ten hours. Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 (Photo by Dewayne Bingham)
Breaking the record was a challenge Long made to herself as a New Year’s resolution and in honor of her late mother. In undertaking a task that posed both mental and physical challenges, she hoped to honor the strength and perseverance her mother exhibited after a spinal cord injury left her with paraplegia, she shared.
Long’s friend Sarah Medley, owner of Studio 59 Aveda Salon and Spa, helped coordinate activities like dance, yoga and guided meditation—all led by community members—for the event at Heritage Park. Medley and Long also held a fundraiser for the Chattanooga Audubon Society, Chattanooga’s oldest environmental conservancy organization.
Not only was Adrienne Long’s attempt at breaking and setting a new World Record successful, but in doing so she brought the Chattanooga community together for an important cause. The funds her event raised for the Audubon Society and the messages of stewardship and perseverance she shared will surely make a lasting impact on our community and its natural ecosystems.
I have never heard of this until now. But it’s a beautiful ideal a walnut tree sounds great they are a pretty tree . I see she did so to draw attention to the forest and bird’s and a promise to her mother