NINETY TIMES in one day – we don’t know if it’s a Perth record for Jacob’s Ladder summits but Rob Coyle’s effort definitely tops anything in the Chook’s record books.
Incredibly, the Cockburn gym owner’s Sunday morning stepathlon isn’t even his main achievement; dubbed ‘Perth’s man of steel’, he’s preparing to climb the ladder 120 times in 12 hours on Saturday October 15.
Mr Coyle lives in Bibra Lake and says he’s committing the herculean feat for Telethon because he wants to set a good example for his three kids.
He also had a club foot repaired when he was young and believes Telethon, which supports a range of medical and community charities, is a great way to give back.
“I’ve had something that I needed medical assistance for so in the back of my mind I feel grateful that got fixed up and now it’s time for me to help and do my part”, Mr Coyle says.
“Thirty odd years later and I’m able to do this crazy stair climbing thing.”
This is his second Telethon climb, and Mr Coyle reckons staying mentally motivated over 12 hours is the biggest challenge.
His training sessions start at 3am, and he takes the ladder two stairs at a time at a walking pace, averaging just over 10 summits an hour.
“I get cramps and stuff like that, from the hips down I guess…but it’s not debilitating anymore because I’m used to it. Just a few aches to remind of the work I’ve done.”
Mr Coyle will be over the moon if he can top the $22,000 he raised last year.
by TRILOKESH CHANMUGAM
Perth Voice Interactive 
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