Woman breaks Land’s End to John O’Groats and back record

A woman who lost her ability to walk as a teenager has broken the world record for cycling the length of the UK and back.

Sarah Ruggins, from Gloucestershire, was diagnosed with a rare neurological condition called complex regional pain syndrome, which also meant she lost her ability to move her hands without support.

Ms Ruggins has now broken the record by cycling 1,677 miles (2,700 km) from John O’Groats in Scotland to Land’s End in England, and back again in five days, 11 hours and 14 minutes.

“This ride was a celebration of life and it was a gift to myself and hopefully a gift to others who need motivation,” she said.

Ms Ruggins’ ride beat the men’s record of five days 18 hours three minutes, held by James MacDonald since 2017 – by six hours and 43 minutes.

She also beat the former women’s record of 10 days and five hours – held by Louise Harris since 2023 – by four days 17 hours and 40 minutes.

She said: “It’s taught me to believe in myself, and it’s taught me that women have a place in the upper echelons of sports – not just as women, but across all genders.

“I’m one of the first women to break a men’s endurance record. So it shows that we can take up space in the sport, and we need to be taken seriously.”

The 37-year-old grew up in Montreal in Canada but moved to the UK 10 years ago.

She said she was a promising track athlete as a teenager and had ambitions of representing Canada in the Olympics, but was hit by the rare condition aged 16.

“My Olympic dream and everything I thought my life was going to be basically just evaporated overnight, and it took many years of rehabilitation to get my movement back,” she said.

“I started exploring athletics again, but I found with my new body I couldn’t really run so I turned to cycling.”

After moving to the UK, she initially began training to break the Land’s End to John O’Groats running record – but instead chose to take the challenge on on a bicycle.

She covered 500km (310 miles) a day surviving on just over four hours of sleep throughout the ride.

“I really wanted to make an impact and use my story to help others,” she said.

“For me, even when the ride got really painful, it was a celebration, because it was my choice to do this, coming at it from a place of strength.

“I just really wanted to share through this project that your life can change unexpectedly but it means you just need to pivot and find something new that brings you joy.”

She used the record attempt to raise money for The Bike Project and Bikes for Refugees, generating more than £17,600.