To land on the pages of Guinness World Records, some people devote almost their entire lives to a single goal. Others just need to be in the right place at the right time. Yet no matter the story, each record inspires awe. For more, visit dallaski.
Muriel Clayton – World’s Oldest Adoptive Mother
In 2015, 92-year-old Muriel Clayton broke the Guinness World Records title for the world’s oldest adoptive mother when she legally adopted her 76-year-old cousin Mary Smith. Though already cousins, both longed to share the same last name.
Mary’s father and Muriel’s mother were siblings. When Mary was just 11, her father died of a heart attack. Her mother, battling mental illness, spent most of her time hospitalized and couldn’t care for her daughter. Mary then lived with Muriel, who had just married and was raising her own children. Though Mary later moved in with other relatives, she always felt happiest with Muriel.
For decades, Muriel raised four daughters and devoted her free time to her husband. She never had the chance to formalize Mary’s adoption. Only after her children grew up and her husband passed away did Muriel push to become Mary’s legal mother—and that late-life adoption earned them their Guinness spot.
Record Set by Turkey Costume Runners
The Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot is a three-mile Thanksgiving Day run that began in 1967 when a small group wanted to burn off holiday calories. Only about 100 runners showed up that first year. As the race grew, participants started adding their own twists—most notably, racing in turkey costumes.
The record came in 2011, when 661 runners dressed as turkeys joined 36,820 participants, smashing the record for the most people in turkey outfits running at once.
Dallas Locals Stage Largest Toy-Gun Battle
In 2016, over 2,000 Dallas residents and visitors gathered at AT&T Stadium for “Jared’s Epic Nerf Battle.” Ticket prices ranged from $16 to $32, offering perks like future game passes, stadium tours, celebrity meet-and-greets, cash prizes, and exclusive souvenirs.
Participants brought a total of 4,394 foam-dart blasters, setting the world record for the largest toy-gun battle. Proceeds went to support tornado victims in Garland and Rowlett, Texas.
Brian Berg – Builder of the Tallest Card House
Architect by training, Brian Berg has spent his life building card structures. At just 17, he first broke the Guinness record and went on to best himself ten more times. In 1992, he erected a 14.5-foot house of cards.
His crowning achievement came at the African American Museum in Fair Park, where he built a 25-foot tower using a vertical-card technique—using about half the cards to reach a new height.
In September 2009, Berg attempted a live one-hour build to reclaim his title, but the structure collapsed just after the clock ran out, keeping him from a second Guinness listing.
Dallas Bakers Create World’s Largest Frito Pie
At the 2012 State Fair of Texas, Dallas bakers crafted the world’s largest Frito pie. They used 635 bags of Fritos, 660 cans of chili, and 580 bags of shredded cheese on a 133-square-foot platter, serving over 5,000 fairgoers.
Record Attendance at a Basketball Game
On February 14, 2010, 108,713 fans packed the NBA All-Star Game at Cowboys Stadium, setting the world record for highest basketball attendance. The previous record was from a Michigan State vs. Kentucky game at Ford Field in Detroit on December 13, 2003.
Owner Jerry Jones pushed to exceed 90,000, and the $1.2 billion stadium’s massive high-definition screens drew fans nationwide. Emergency crews stayed on alert, but the event passed with minimal incident.