What might be every parent’s nightmare, stepping on a rogue LEGO brick in bare feet, became Gabrielle Wall’s stage for a world record. In Christchurch, New Zealand, she sprinted 100 metres barefoot over scattered LEGO bricks in 24.75 seconds, a feat now officially recognised by Guinness World Records.
The track was spread with about 300 kg (661 lb) of LEGO, generously donated by Imagination Station, a NZ charity that uses LEGO for educational and skills programmes.
A challenge born from fragility
Gabrielle’s quest wasn’t born out of whimsy alone. After a health scare in 2022, initially worrying doctors thought it might be blood cancer, later diagnosed as a platelet / blood disorder, she decided she needed to tick off bold, meaningful goals.
Running across jagged plastic: not exactly your everyday “bucket list” item. But Gabrielle committed. She trained relentlessly: two months going barefoot nearly everywhere (even to weddings and family events), toughening her soles and building grit. She also practised in a kiddie pool filled with LEGO bricks in her garage, stomping, testing balance, building tolerance.
The day of reckoning
On 16 January 2025, Gabrielle stood at the start line on a 100 m lane in Christchurch. A crew helped remove the most dangerous LEGO shapes (doors, palm leaves etc.) to reduce extreme risk. She ran, foot by foot, enduring searing pain, stones of pressure, and even a stumble about 25 m from the line, but she pushed through.
At the finish, bricks clung to her soles; she even emerged with a small gash. But she had done it. 24.75 seconds later, record in hand.
She confessed the relief of slipping into fluffy slippers later that day, eating spicy ramen, and catching up on sleep.
Reactions, reflections & what’s next
When Guinness shared the video on Instagram, it went viral, tens of millions of views, jokes about parenthood, admiration, bewilderment. Comments ranged from “proof mums will do anything” to incredulous “why would you do that?”
Gabrielle said the entire experience was “unforgettable” and that she was proud to push her personal limits. She hopes one day her son will challenge the record, although he must wait until he’s 18 to compete officially.
Meanwhile, she’s already eyeing sky‑high goals: aerial silks. And she’s not letting the Lego bricks go to waste.
