From paralysis to world record holder.
The extraordinary journey of Dr. Sarah Ruggins.
Sarah was once in the Olympic pipeline for track and field.
At 15, a severe disease left her unable to walk or use her hands. She was transferred abroad for round-the-clock care and spent years fighting back to health.
“Most people who have this disease either end up in a wheelchair or worse - end their life.”
- Dr Ashish Shetty, Lead Neurologist
National Hospital for Neurology
She rebuilt her life first - finishing school, earning a PhD in finance - then turned back to sport.
With less than five months to prepare - and without even owning a bike - she applied for the 2023 Transcontinental Race, a 4,000km unsupported race across Europe.
Along the way, she raised nearly £80,000 for charity.
“Finishing near the top of the pack was a surprise to everyone, including me!”
In May 2025, Sarah made history, riding 1,720 miles from John O’Groats to Land’s End and back in 5 days, 11 hours and 14 minutes, with just 6.5 hours of sleep.
She beat the previous men’s record by nearly seven hours and the women’s record by more than four days, while setting the fastest 1,000-mile time in history.
“I challenged the LEJOGLE world record to raise funds for charity and to close the chapter on all the versions of my life I did not get to experience.”
In June 2026, Sarah took on her biggest challenge yet: cycling 6,050 km from Tarifa, Spain to Nordkapp, Norway - the length of Europe - in just 13 days 20 hours 27 minutes.
She set the fastest outright European crossing in history, beating the previous record by over three days, alongside establishing the first women’s world record and seven-day mileage world records.
From total immobility to multiple outright world record holder in 3 years, Sarah aims to challenge the fastest time around the world in 2027 with Project ATLAS.
“There is a whole community of people waiting to greet us when we are open about our struggles and fears in the pursuit of big goals.
We must always keep going.”