IRONMAN Paddy Doyle has succeeded in his latest endurance endeavour to earn the title the World's Fittest Man.
Paddy attempted his 125th endurance record in the form of the World Physical Fitness Challenge at the Virgin Active gym in Blythe Valley on Wednesday.
Former Paratrooper Doyle, now living in Balsall Common, had to complete a series of tough tests in a record-breaking time and spent months preparing for the challenge.
The record was previously held by US strongman, Rob Powell, who had completed the challenge in 23 hours 58 minutes and 12 seconds in 2001.
Paddy completed it in around 20 hours 35 minutes, comfortably smashing the previous record by more than three hours.
On the list were: 1,250 press ups, a two-mile swim, a 12 mile march, 3,250 sit ups, 1,250 hip flexors, a 110 mile cycle and a 20 mile row.
Added to that was a 20 mile elliptical walk, 1,250 star jumps, weight lifting, a 12 mile run, 5km on the stepper machine and as many burpees and squat thrusts as possible in five minutes.
He also completed a one-mile treadmill run, carrying a 44lb backpack.
In preparation Doyle trained in New York, at the famous Gleason's boxing gym, where he was pushed to the limit by professional boxer Troy Blackmore. He also received coaching from instructors at Virgin Active.
Gemma Woodfield, spokeswoman for Virgin Active said: "Paddy well and truly smashed the record. He picked up speed through the night, as at 6pm he was on target but not ahead of schedule. He had a great deal of support from the gym members who spurred him on and his four month training with the staff at Virgin Active certainly paid off."
