Second fittest man in the world

The physical education teacher battled through a course of 30 obstacles, including rope climbs, cargo net crawls, rock face climbs and carrying sandbags, over the 11.6km track.

Just one lap of this gruelling course is impressive and Perizzolo managed to power through 14 laps of it in 22 hours and 45 mins, overcoming 420 obstacles and running 162.4km during the race.

It was a massive step-up from his efforts in 2018, where he completed 11 laps in 20 hours and 35 minutes to finish fifth overall.

Perizzolo said it was ‘‘really surprising’’ when asked how he felt about the second place finish.

‘‘There were a few international competitors and a few former winners of the World Toughest Mudder so going into the race I would’ve been happy with a top 10 finish,’’ he said.

‘‘I don’t know what to think right now (about finishing second); I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet, but I can tell you I’m quite happy.

‘‘I’ve recovered well so far. I have swollen feet but I got through injury free.’’

At the end of the 24 hours it was Australian Lachie Dansie who finished in first place, completing 15 laps in 23 hours and 13 minutes to win the title for the fifth year in a row.

Third place went to American Trevor Cichosz, completing 14 laps in 23 hours and seven minutes, followed by Joshua Harvey, 14 laps 23 hours and 32 minutes.

Before the race, Perizzolo had set a personal goal of reaching 100 miles (160.9km), after smashing his previous goal of 75 miles last year.

He admitted that he reached this goal much sooner than he expected.

‘‘I kept it quiet that 100 miles was my goal because I didn’t think I would get there this year,’’ he said.

‘‘I saw it as a long-term goal that would happen in maybe one or two years’ time. I hadn’t considered I would do it.

‘‘It was one of those days where I felt really good and knew I would do my best.

‘‘My lap times over the last few laps were 1 hour and 50 minutes to 2 hours and 10 minutes, so having known I’d reached 100 miles and that there was only just over an hour left there was no real point in continuing on.

‘‘The competitor who finished third was about 20 minutes behind me and because the results are based on laps completed and how much time it took, I knew that he wouldn’t be able to complete another lap in the time that was left.

‘‘My cousin Adam (Bridges) and his wife Kassie (Bridges) and my mum (Lisa Bridges) kept me going.

‘‘They were feeding me, helping treat any issues I had and put up with me when I was tired and cranky.

‘‘Without my pit crew I wouldn’t have achieved what I did, so a big thank you goes to them.’’