A British fitness influencer has put his body through an extreme one-day endurance test to answer a question that puzzles many walkers: which is the most gruelling challenge – clocking up 50,000 steps, covering a 50-kilometre distance, or burning a colossal 5,000 calories?
The Gruelling Day-Long Endurance Feat
Sam Culley, a determined fitness enthusiast, began his ambitious experiment at 6am, equipped with a head torch, healthy snacks, and notably, no headphones for entertainment. He committed to walking until he had achieved at least two of his three formidable targets, documenting the entire journey for his followers.
The initial stages of his trek were undertaken in darkness, with the reward of a beautiful sunrise as he built up his distance. While he undertook the challenge for fun and self-testing, his primary goal was a genuine inquiry into which fitness milestone posed the greatest difficulty.
The Physical and Mental Battle Unfolds
By the 15-kilometre mark, Sam began to feel the physical strain, though he reached the halfway point for his step count still in relatively good shape. His calorie burn, however, was significantly lagging behind. The challenge was compounded when his tripod collapsed at 25 kilometres, though he wryly noted his legs had not yet given way.
At 30 kilometres, a strategic stop for refuelling on protein bars and crisps was essential. A change of socks was a critical move to preserve the condition of his feet for the remaining journey. The difficulty intensified sharply around the 35-kilometre point, exacerbated by an unexpected downpour of rain.
Triumph, Results, and Surprising Conclusions
The first major victory came after nearly nine hours of walking: 50,000 steps were achieved at approximately the 41-kilometre mark. For the final push, Sam's father joined him, providing company for the last few kilometres. Together, they crossed the finish line after a total of 10 hours and 9 minutes, having covered the full 50km distance and accumulated a staggering 61,685 steps.
By the end of this mammoth effort, his fitness tracker showed a total calorie burn of 4,746 calories, with just over 3,000 of these being active calories. His experiment yielded clear insights: completing 50,000 steps was the 'easiest' of the three goals. This is logical, as 50,000 steps typically equates to 35-40km for most people, a shorter distance than a full 50km hike.
Burning 5,000 calories, however, proved to be the most elusive target. As Sam's data showed, achieving this would likely require a walk exceeding 80,000 steps – a feat far beyond even his impressive day's work.
