COLORADO SPRINGS — 53-year-old Bob Salem summitted Pikes Peak on Friday morning – after a bit of a “nutty” journey from the base of the mountain.

“I did, actually beat the record. I’m going to have to figure out my exact time because I finished like 530-ish this morning. Whatever sunrise was when I came actually up on top of the hill here. So I’ll figure out my exact time and stuff. But I know I beat the eight days,” said Salem at reaching the summit Friday.

Salem pushed a peanut up the steep slopes over the past several days — joining a very small group of people who have ever done so — and becoming the first person to do so in the 21st century.

“I did most of my pushing in the dark because it was cooler and easier and a lot less people, really. The beginning couple of days when I did it in the daylight and stuff. I’d have to stop, like, every 10 minutes, 5 minutes, and take some pictures, talk to some people,” said Salem.

“I love collecting history of the local area and stuff like that, so getting to be a part of it and actually being out there is pretty cool,” he’s said to FOX21 news.

Bill Williams made history in 1929 when he achieved the bizarre feat. Williams did it to win a $50 bet.

“I didn’t lose a bet I actually volunteered for this,” Salem said.

He started his journey on Saturday, July 9 on Barr Trail – hoping to reach the 14,115′ summit by July 17. Salem beat his goal by two days.

“It’s a pretty weird tradition, so it feels pretty good. Feels pretty weird, too. But, you know, Manitou Springs keeping it weird,” said Salem. “I love collecting history of the local area and stuff like that, so getting to be a part of it and actually being out there is pretty cool.”