Dean Stott has cycled the length of South America in the fastest ever time – shaving an incredible 10 days off the previous World Record, in partnership with St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation.
Former UK Special Forces Soldier Dean Stott has smashed the Guinness World Record for the fastest time to cycle the length of South America, completing the feat on Wednesday 21st March 2018 in just 48 days and 54 minutes.
Dean is well on track for a further record in cycling the Pan-American Highway in under 117 days to raise money for Heads Together charity partners, to which you can donate, here.
He has faced brutal conditions and gruelling terrain from Ushuaia (Argentina) to Cartagena (Colombia), but Dean has shaved an impressive 10 days off the former solo record, which stood at 58 days, 3 hrs and 45 mins and was accomplished in 2009.
But Dean remains focused on the long road ahead.
Dean commented: “It has been a gruelling journey so far, and both a physical and mental battle. The support of my wider team has been invaluable, but the hard work has only just begun, and there is still a long way to go. I’m hugely proud to break the South American World Record and even more determined to smash the Pan American Highway record too, raising money and awareness for the Heads Together charity partners and mental health issues overall.”
However, impressive as it was, Dean will have little time to celebrate his South American record. He began his journey at the southern tip of South America on 1st February and the full Pan-American Highway extends to 22,000 kilometres. He will be travelling across 14 countries, finishing in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. He is currently well on track to beat the World Record, which was set in 2015 by Mexican cyclist Carlos Santamaria Covarrubias at 117 days, 5 hours
Dean has taken on this epic challenge to raise money for Heads Together, a St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation partner charity and to bring the conversation about mental health up a gear. This is a cause close to his heart.
Dean sustained a devastating knee injury whilst serving in the Special Forces and saw his military career cut short as a result. He struggled to adjust to civilian life back home in Aberdeen. But he found a new track. Inspired by his friend HRH Prince Harry, who he trained with in the military, Dean embarked on this extraordinary journey to shine a light on mental health issues, and raise £1 million for the Heads Together campaign.
Supporters can track every stage of his journey here and donations for the challenge, which will be shared between the charity partners, can be made via the Pan American Highway Challenge website.
Dean’s challenge is being supported by the St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation, which is committed to helping mental health causes.