A LABOURER from Partick who is currently top of the leaderboard for the Glasgow Hang Challenge says he practiced hanging from work scaffolding.

The competition to find the Glaswegian who can hang from a bar for the longest time ends this weekend and will give £2,500 to the winner of the event.

Stephen Crawford has vowed that he’ll be there at the finale at Glasgow Climbing Academy on Sunday 28th January to give the competition, which was launched last week by fitness startup Voomfit, one final go.

During his first effort, the 44-year old managed an incredible three minutes and 44 seconds – the best of all the competitors who have taken part so far at locations across the city.

He said: "I’ve never lifted a weight in my life, I’m just a wee skinny guy who likes playing football! I didn’t think I had a chance.

"I read about the hang challenge and me and a few of the boys from work tried hanging from scaffolding. I managed three minutes and 15 seconds with my work gear on, so I thought I better give it a go for real.

"I’m not counting my chickens just yet, but winning would be amazing. I’ve not been away on holiday for six years so I’d use the money to take my wife and three kids somewhere sunny."

Stephen recorded the incredible time at the Glasgow Club Kelvin Hall, one of 14 venues where the hang bar has popped up during the two-week long challenge.

The remaining opportunities to test your strength against Stephen will be at Elite Fitness in Uddingston on Friday and Lean Canteen in Shawlands on Saturday, with the final day being at Glasgow Climbing Academy on Sunday.

As well as the £2,500 prize for the overall winner, there’s a chance to win £100 each day and a whole host of other prizes.

The hang challenge is an initiative by Voomfit, an online platform for health, fitness and wellbeing, designed to bring community and convenience together to businesses and customers alike.

Voomfit’s co-founder Jordan Paisley said: “The best part of this challenge has been spending time in different gyms across the city and getting to meet so many people from Glasgow’s fitness community. When it comes to fitness in Glasgow, there really is something for everyone.

“Stephen’s effort was extremely impressive – I’m looking forward to meeting everyone who’ll step-up and take on the challenge during the final few days.”

To find out more about the hang challenge visit www.voomfit.com