California Woman's 26-Hour Ferris Wheel Ride Breaks World Record

Randy Pench/ZUMAPRESS.com

A California woman inspired to set a world record after reading the book "101 Things To Do Before You Die" accomplished her goal on Tuesday, riding a Ferris wheel for 26 hours, 43 minutes and 46 seconds.

Christina Lochmiller, a 32-year-old from Roseville, Calif., near Sacramento, broke the Guinness World Record with that total, easily eclipsing the previous record of 25 hours and 30 seconds set by a man in California just last month.

"I'm pretty tired," Lochmiller told the Modesto Bee after exiting the ride at the California State Fair in Sacramento at around 8:58 a.m Tuesday. "I had a couple of breakdowns where I felt like a 2- year-old who needed a nap."

Lochmiller stayed awake the entire 26 hours and only had a break from the repetitive circular ride every hour for five minutes during which she used the restroom, had her vitals checked or stretched out to relieve pains in her back that came from sitting on the ride's hard seat, the Bee reports.

"I needed to stay confident that I could do it," she said. "I had to remind myself that there was an end in sight."

Keeping Lochmiller company on her record-breaking journey were friends and family members who pitched in not only to help their friend but also to support her charitable cause, the UC Davis Children's Hospital.

Lochmiller told the Bee she was inspired to put her Guinness World Record attempt toward a good cause by a friend whose child was treated at the hospital for congenital heart disease. Her efforts raised nearly $4,000 that the hospital says it will use to cover equipment and expenses that insurance doesn't.

Guinness World Record officials say they will need to view the video diary Lochmiller created of her Ferris wheel marathon ride before officially bestowing the title upon her.