Maria Leijerstam

Maria Leijerstam is a British polar adventurer. In 2013 she became the first person to cycle to the South Pole from the edge of the continent. She also set the new World Record for the fastest human powered coast to pole traverse, completing her journey in 10 days, 14 hours and 56 minutes.

Leijerstam completed the almost- route from the Ross Ice Shelf on the edge of the Antarctic to the South Pole in just over 10 days.

She rode a custom-built recumbent trike made by Inspired Cycle Engineering, called the Polar Cycle, with wide balloon tires and a modified gear shift that allowed Leijerstam to pass through snowdrifts and climb steep inclines. Ten years later, in 2023, Inspired Cycle Engineering named a special edition of its a Full Fat recumbent trike after Maria Leijerstam.

Business pursuits and public profile A television documentary about Leijerstam's record-breaking cycle was made by ITV and released on Amazon Prime Video. She celebrated the tenth anniversary of her polar world record by cycling from the east to west of Ireland to the South Pole Inn, an historic public house established by the explorer Tom Crean. Accompanied by Nick Russill, they completed the 320 km ride in just under 27 hours. Following the cycle to the South Pole Inn, Leijerstam released an updated 10th Anniversary Edition of her book "Cycling to the South Pole, A World First."

Leijerstam has pursued public speaking opportunities and runs a multi-sport company called Burn Series. The adventure racing events held across South Wales are both a challenge and for fun, with the Mini Burn, a shorter and more diverse ‘triathlon’, aimed towards families. The events consist of running, mountain biking, kayaking and orienteering. The Mini Burn is the only adventure race in the UK where both parents and children can compete together.