Maria Leijerstam
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Maria Leijerstam became the first person in the world to cycle to the South Pole from the edge of the Antarctic continent on December 27, 2013. At the same time, she achieved a second world record for the fastest human powered coast to South Pole traverse, completing her journey in 10 days, 14 hours and 56 minutes.
Maria s.... more
Maria Leijerstam became the first person in the world to cycle to the South Pole from the edge of the Antarctic continent on December 27, 2013. At the same time, she achieved a second world record for the fastest human powered coast to South Pole traverse, completing her journey in 10 days, 14 hours and 56 minutes.
Maria spent four years planning, training and preparing for this double world record. She pushed through extreme mental and physical barriers and built a winning team to achieve the unthinkable.
In 2007, Maria was the first Welsh woman to complete the Marathon Des Sables, running six marathons in seven days across the Sahara desert. In 2012 she was the first woman to complete the Siberian Black Ice Race, a 650 kilometre cycle across Lake Baikal. She also competed on the World Series Adventure Racing circuit, representing Great Britain.
Her business life began in rocket science with BAE Systems. She later moved on to project management where she worked for a variety of multi- national organisations including Ford of Europe.
In 2010, she combined her love of sport with her business acumen and set up Multisport Ltd, an adventure sports company based in Wales, UK. She now hosts the successful Burn Series adventure races with the aim of introducing sport as a way of life for all.