AN AMATEUR fitness enthusiast has become a world beater. . . in his spare room.

Neil Flockhart completed the same distance as a marathon (26.2 miles) on an indoor rowing machine to raise money for NHS Covid-19 charities.

His time of two hours, 27 minutes and 36 seconds beat everyone else in the world who has undertaken the challenge using the same equipment this year.

The achievement – just three seconds off the British record – is all the more remarkable as the furthest Neil had rowed before was just 13 miles, taking about 75 minutes.

The 37-year-old said: “At first I was just delighted to complete the marathon distance for the first time, but then I saw my time was the best in the world and so close to the British record.

“That felt very special.

“The longest I’d been on a rowing machine was a half marathon so I was trying to pace myself to be sure I had enough in the tank to finish the course.

“But halfway through I felt good, so decided to really push on.

“Most people would spend 15 to 20 minutes as part of a gym exercise routine, so you can imagine after 42,192 metres I was pretty well done in.

“But I got a huge lift when I saw my time.

“My plan now is to beat the current British record by the end of this year.”

But the Longniddry resident is no stranger to impressive feats of sporting endurance.

Previously, he won Scotland’s first Tough Mudder race, as well as the 2012 Coast to Coast challenge – a 105-mile running, cycling and kayaking race from Nairn to Glencoe.

Two years ago, he finished third in the 2,000m at the Scottish indoor rowing championships.

The rope access technician was inspired to do the rowing challenge as part of Scots endurance cycling hero Mark Beaumont’s ‘Ride Around the World in a Day’ fundraising venture, which encouraged participants to run or cycle distances that, combined, would equal the circumference of the world, donating £1 for each mile.

All the funds raised are going to NHS Charities Together.

Neil added: “For me, it was a personal challenge.

“If I have a target to beat or finishing line to cross, I always want to be first.

“I don’t work with coaches or trainers.

“I like to set my own training plans and goals and just get stuck in.

“But the great thing is that this has raised so much money for NHS charities who are going to help NHS staff who are doing wonderful things during the coronavirus crisis.”