Krystian Herba: Polish Cyclist Sets New Endurance Record, Cycles 3,139 Steps Up Taiwan’s Tallest Building


Krystian Herba, a Polish cyclist, set a new Guinness World Record (pending confirmation) when he climbed 3,139 steps up the Taipei 101, one of the tallest buildings on the planet. According to AFP, this amazing feat of endurance made sure that Krystian beat his own record of climbing 2,919 steps, a record he set last February in Melbourne, Australia. Herba took two hours and 13 minutes to complete the feat this time — making him the only man to ride a bicycle up a skyscraper and cover over 3,000 steps in the process.

The Taipei 101 held the title of being the tallest building on the planet from 2004 until 2010, and stands over 500 meters tall from ground level to its structural tip. And contrary to what you might have thought, Krystian did not climb all the way up from the lobby level to the top. Instead, he first pedaled up from the lobby level to the 61st floor, came back down using an elevator and pedaled up again — this time up to the 91st floor. He had to climb a total of 3,139 steps in the process. According to Krystian, this method of climbing was approved by Guinness World Records officials, as well.

The 33-year-old Krystian has been training hard to achieve this goal and says that this was by far the most difficult challenge he encountered.

“This was absolutely the most difficult challenge ever in my life, but definitely this is my biggest success.”

When asked about the most difficult part of the climb, Krystian said that it was the initial 50 floors that were difficult for him.

“The first 50 floors I did not feel strong enough, I felt stressed a little bit. But after that, I felt stronger.”

According to Krystian, it took him six months of training to make himself fit for this attempt. He used a 17-story building in Rzeszow, Poland, to train for this feat and climbed up the structure several times a day. Krystian’s original target was to climb at least 3,000 steps in one go — he eventually settled at 139 steps more than his original goal. Krystian Herba’s latest feat will be included in the Guinness Book of World Records after they ascertain that he did actually climb all the 3,139 steps.

We wonder how long his new record would stand, though — especially because Krystian is yet to climb up the tallest building of them all, the 828-meter Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

[Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images]

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