Super-fit Mark Elliott has proved himself one of Britain's fittest men.

A Prison Service PE instructor, Elliott, from York, finished sixth in the Life Fitness Ultra-Fit X-training challenge.

He beat hundreds of men nation-wide who tried to qualify for the finals and then excelled to take a top ten spot - and very nearly a top five finish.

The competition was staged in Stratford-Upon-Avon where men and women and teams from gymnasiums and clubs throughout Britain tackled one of sport's toughest challenges.

The race was gruelling, with athletes racing individually or in a relay format in the team event through ten gym challenges in the fastest possible time.

The race started with a 1.5km cycle ride, followed by a 500m sprint on a rowing machine.

Competitors then raced through a series of gym exercises - including press ups, 'ab' crunches and step-ups complete with weights - before an 800m uphill dash on the treadmill.

The final challenge was a sprint through 40 reps on a bench press.

Elliott completed the individual format in 16mins 27 secs - just nine seconds off fourth place.

However, in the team event, the 37-year-old celebrated gold with his Club Emley team-mates, who set a new British record when they finished in a time of 12-52.

Elliott enjoys swimming and athletics and teaches football, basketball and volleyball to prison inmates.

Updated: 11:53 Friday, June 01, 2001