Maria Leijerstam

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 multinational

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.