World cyclist hits BBC 1
Published: 15 August 2008
University of Glasgow graduate, Mark Beaumont, will appear on national television as the subject of a documentary following his record breaking cycle around the world.
University of Glasgow graduate, Mark Beaumont, will appear on national television as the subject of a documentary following his record breaking cycle around the world.
On 15 February 2008, economics graduate Mark completed the 18,000 mile journey through 20 countries in a record breaking time of 194 days, 82 days faster than the previous attempt. Using a combination of Mark’s video diary and interviews at various stages of his journey, the BBC produced a documentary on his momentous feat.
Aired on BBC 1 Scotland earlier this year, the documentary has proved so popular it is now to be shown UK wide. It will be shown from Monday 18 August to Thursday 21 August at 10.35pm.
Dr Niall MacFarlane from the University’s Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Systems is also featured in the programme having advised Mark on his extensive training programme before and after his journey.
Meanwhile, Mark Beaumont is currently starring in a nationwide advertising campaign for a well-known telecommunications company. The TV advert entitled, Together We Can Do More tells Mark’s real life story as he set out to break the around-the-world cycling record and finally achieved his goal earlier this year. 
The film opens on Mark walking into a room with four large projection screens, four walls and a stationary bike in the centre. As Mark begins to pedal, his memories are projected onto the screens. The images represent his life’s journey - from childhood to the day he broke the record - and all the people that contributed to his achievement.
The concept behind the brand campaign is that we are made up of the sum of our relationships and experiences and that every idea, every achievement and every thing we do as individuals has been forged by relationships and experiences. 
Justin Billingsley, Director of Brand, Orange UK, said: "The Mark Beaumont ad brings to life a thought provoking inspirational story that people can reflect on. Everybody has a story to tell and Orange plays a fundamental role in customers’ lives, fuelling their relationships and putting customers in touch with the people and things that matter most to them."
Notes to editors
For more information please contact Kate Richardson in the University of Glasgow’s Media Relations Office on 0141 330 3683 or email K.Richardson@admin.gla.ac.uk
First published: 15 August 2008
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