Man completes 'crazy' stairclimbing challenge

A man who used a stairclimbing machine continuously for 24 hours has said completing the challenge was "mind-blowing".

Luke Ansell, from Bournemouth, Dorset, began his workout at 18:00 GMT on Friday, stopping only for toilet breaks.

He told the BBC: "I can't get my head around it, obviously it was a bit of a pipe dream and I'm great at thinking I can do things that are probably out of my reach but to actually be able to do that is really crazy."

Ansell is no stranger to stairs - in 2023, he made headlines after delivery men left a sofa jammed in his stairwell.

He said he considered giving up during the "incredibly tough" challenge "three dozen times", particularly struggling about 10 hours in, when most of his supporters were asleep.

"It was just terrible, absolutely terrible, I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy," he said.

"It's a mental and physical challenge like no other," he said.

"I've done ultra marathons, I've done all sorts, but this is really the icing on the cake."

Ansell said he was "super proud" to have completed the challenge, which took place at Busby's Gym in Christchurch.

He also live streamed it on TikTok and has raised more than £2,500 for Breast Cancer Now, as one of his family members is battling the disease.