A diagnosis of high “bad” cholesterol became the turning point that transformed Nigerian marathon runner and Guinness World Records holder Dayo Akinbode from someone who had little interest in sports into one of Africa’s most accomplished long-distance runners and sports tourism advocates.
Akinbode, founder of FogAdventures and African ambassador of the Marathon Globetrotters Club, shared her remarkable journey in an interview published by The PUNCH, explaining that a routine medical examination while working at Shell Nigeria revealed she had dangerously high cholesterol levels and needed to make significant lifestyle changes.
According to Akinbode, who studied Materials and Metallurgical Engineering and enjoyed a successful corporate career before retiring from Shell, she had spent most of her life focused on academics and considered sports a distraction during her school years.
She recalled that the medical report, received in 2011, warned that she risked premature death unless she adopted a healthier lifestyle by becoming more physically active and improving her diet.
Although she initially ignored the doctor’s advice because she found the required lifestyle changes difficult, her perspective changed the following year after Shell introduced the Global Corporate Challenge, a workplace wellness programme that encouraged employees to track their daily physical activity.
“I was recording only about 800 to 2,000 steps a day, while colleagues from countries like Canada and Germany were achieving as many as 30,000 steps,” she said, explaining that her competitive nature pushed her to improve.
Determined to increase her activity levels, Akinbode began taking the stairs instead of elevators, walking longer distances around the office and gradually embracing regular exercise. Her curiosity eventually led her to discover marathon running after conversations with colleagues.
She completed her first half marathon in Accra, Ghana, in 2012 and progressed to full marathons two years later. Since then, marathon running has become both a personal passion and a platform for promoting sports tourism across the world.
Akinbode said she has now participated in marathons in more than 100 countries, describing each race as a unique cultural experience rather than simply a competition.
Among her achievements are two Guinness World Records linked to marathon participation. One was earned for taking part in the highest-altitude road marathon in Pakistan in September 2022, while another recognised her completion of a Guinness World Records-approved remote road marathon challenge in September 2021. These records are listed by Guinness World Records.
Reflecting on her transformation, Akinbode said her goals have shifted over time from chasing fast finishing times to enjoying the experience, connecting with fellow runners and inspiring others to embrace healthier lifestyles.
Her story underscores the importance of regular health screenings and lifestyle modifications in managing high cholesterol, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Medical experts recommend routine physical activity, a balanced diet and regular medical check-ups as key measures for reducing cholesterol levels and improving overall heart health.
