Fitness fanatics set a new world record.

Hundreds of participants helped break the Guinness Record for the world’s longest non-stop aerobics class. 

The class of 250 took part in the Colombian dance fitness craze Zumba for 36 hours and 30 minutes.

The previous record was 36 hours and in order to smash the record at least ten adults had to keep moving for the entire time.

The Zumbathon, at Clair Hall in Haywards Heath, started at 10am on Saturday and continued until 1.30am on Monday to raise more than £20,000 for St Peter & St James Hospice in Chailey.

The centre is a regular base for fitness classes put on by Freedom Leisure. Zumba instructor Esther Featherstone, who came up with the idea for the fundraiser, led the class of participants throughout the whole marathon.

She was yesterday exhausted following the event and had lost her voice from hours of shouting.

She whispered: “I have a few aching limbs and am still in shock that I have broken a Guinness World Record but am so glad.

“I’m completely overwhelmed by the fantastic response and support from everyone involved.

“I would like to say a special thank you to Cullen Scholefield and all the staff at Clair Hall for their help in raising over £20,000. My amazing family, friends, Zumba regulars from all over Sussex and lots of new faces helped create the most wonderful party atmosphere.”

Zumba classes normally only last an hour because of the high-paced dance moves derived from samba and mereingue, combined with aerobic moves and elements of martial arts.

Freedom Leisure event manager Erica Martin said: “There was a tremendous buzz of excitement from the first steps taken to the last dance moves completed.

“We were overwhelmed by the level of support from participants and spectators.

“The night shifts were the toughest as people fought their body clocks but if anything is going to keep you moving in the small hours of the morning, Zumba will.”