A Gen Z athlete collapsed after a 24-hour charity treadmill run and shared their experience, saying they won’t be using treadmills again soon.
A young athlete named Joe Pritchard recently completed a challenging 24-hour treadmill run for charity.
This event aimed to raise awareness and funds for a charity called My Name’5 Doddie, which focuses on finding a cure for motor neuron disease.
While the run was successful in raising over $5,000, it also took a serious toll on Pritchard’s body.
Gen Z athlete collapses after running on treadmill for 24 hours to raise money for charity
Joe Pritchard, a 23-year-old from the UK, decided to take on this extraordinary challenge.
He ran for 24 hours straight on a treadmill, attracting many supporters and viewers.
His friends recorded the event and shared it on social media, which quickly gained attention.
The footage showed Pritchard pushing his limits as he ran a staggering distance of 104.6 miles.
During the event, he received cheers from bar-goers who watched him complete his run in a pub.
It seemed like everything was going well until the end of the run when Pritchard faced unexpected challenges.
Pritchard collapsed after standing up post-run.
After finishing the run, Pritchard attempted to stand up but immediately felt unwell. He described feeling sick and unable to put weight on his legs.
In a video, he shared his experience, saying, “On the way to the toilet, I blacked out, collapsed, vision went.”
This alarming moment was captured by his friends and shared on TikTok, where it received millions of views.
His friends quickly helped him after he collapsed. They had to support him as he could hardly move.
Pritchard later mentioned that he initially felt fine but realized something was seriously wrong when he tried to walk.
After the treadmill run, Pritchard sat outside for about 20 minutes to catch his breath. He was exhausted and in shock from the experience.
His friends suggested taking him home, where he blacked out again. Fortunately, he eventually recovered after taking a bath and resting for several days.
“I am all fine now, there may still be some problems with my knee but it feels fine and I can now run on it again,” Pritchard said.
The risks of extreme exercise
Doctors have warned about the dangers of excessive exercise, especially in events like Pritchard’s.
Dr. Heather L. Hinshelwood, an emergency physician, explained that being on a treadmill for 24 hours can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.
These issues can cause serious health problems, including muscle breakdown.
“He was at the very least likely dehydrated when he came off the treadmill and could have had some electrolyte abnormalities such as low potassium, magnesium and sodium.”
@milepie Post 24hr treadmill update
Social media reactions
One user said: Well, the treadmill didn’t do that to him. He did whatever, to himself.
The second user added: He got this marathon idea from Cory Booker.
The third user commented: Running 104 miles on a treadmill is insane.
I once ran a full marathon distance (26.2 miles) in one extended run on a treadmill years ago. I regretted it for days afterwards.
The fourth user wrote: He needs to be checked up in hospital. Nobody should being doing this for 24 hours.
Another user said: He should’ve skipped the event and instead watched, They shoot horses don’t they?