UofG alumnus Mark Beaumont has spent the last seven days basking in the glory of his world-record breaking round-the-world cycle ride. He cycled the 18,000 mile route in 79 days...shattering the previous time by an astonishing 44 days.

The 34-year-old, from Perthshire, arrived in Paris one day ahead of schedule. He set a new world record of 194 days back in 2008. Since then it has been broken by other riders, with the previous record set at 123 days. To achieve his goal, Mark needed to cycle an average 240 miles a day. He was on his bike for more than 16 hours a day and only slept for five hours each night.

Mark, (MA 2006) was a Young Alumnus of the Year in 2008. He began his latest challenge in Paris on 2 July and cycled through Europe, Russia, Mongolia and China. He then cycled across Australia, up through New Zealand and across North America before the final "sprint finish" thorough Portugal, Spain and France.

During the trip, Mark was also awarded the Guinness World Records title for the most miles cycled in a month, from Paris to Perth in Australia, verified at 7,031 miles (11,315km).

Mark was home-schooled until the age of 11 by his mother, Una. He was then educated at the High School of Dundee. At age 15, he completed a solo ride the length of Great Britain from John o'Groats to Land's End.

He has a degree in politics from the University of Glasgow. In 2012 he was awarded the degree of Doctor of Laws honoris causa from the University of Dundee. He was elected Rector of the University of Dundee in January 2016.

Image of UofG alumnus and round-the-world cyclist Mark Beaumont. Courtesy Guinness

First published: 24 September 2017

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