Stephen Venables Shackleton Traverse

Sports & endurance athletes

Endurance athletes: exceptional individuals who have pushed themselves and others to the limits of human endurance.
Olly Hicks, ocean rower

Olly Hicks

World Record holding ocean rower: the first and youngest person to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean from the US to the UK. In 2009 Olly also became the first person to row The Tasman Sea. In 2012 he will set out to attempt a world first - to row 18,000 miles around the world in a rowing boat, unsupported.

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Ian Couch

Ian Couch

A versatile adventurer and ultra-athlete who has achieved an impressive list of World Records through his expeditions on land, sea and ice.  Ian’s expeditions have included rowing across the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, making the fastest British speed crossing of the Greenland ice-cap and competing in the 145-mile Gobi Desert Challenge.

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Ben Thackwray

Ben Thackwray

An adventurer and Everest mountaineer with experience of high-risk expeditions to the most challenging environments on Earth.  From climbing Everest, rowing across the Atlantic to running 150 miles across the Sahara desert and crossing the Greenland icecap, Ben is one of the UK’s leading and most versatile adventurers.

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Dr Andrew Murray

Dr Andrew Murray

Dr Andrew Murray is a highly accomplished athlete and expedition doctor.  In 2011 he ran from John O’ Groats to the Sahara Desert in 77 days and 8 hours, covering a staggering distance of 2659 miles.  Andrew’s accomplishment was the equivalent of running over 101 consecutive marathons and is a new British record.

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Dee Caffari, British Yachtswoman

Dee Caffari, MBE

Inspirational yachtswoman who in 2006 became the first woman to sail around the world solo, non-stop, in both directions. Her courage, determination and motivation to complete both voyages alone have inspired audiences all over the world. A versatile, energetic speaker who tells her story with great grace, humour and insight.

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Sarah Outen: British adventurer

Sarah Outen MBE

Solo ocean-rower and triple world record breaker who became the the first woman and youngest person in the world to row solo across the Indian Ocean; rowing 4000 miles across the Indian Ocean in just 124 days. Sarah is a passionate and energetic speaker with the ability to engage any audience with her versatile and accessible approach.

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Tim Emmett - climber

Tim Emmett

Top extreme sports athlete, specialising in para-alpinism; climbing a big mountain with a B.A.S.E.-jumping rig before jumping off into freefall. Also a world leader in both rock and ice-climbing, and a pioneer of Deep Water Soloing (free climbing a cliff above water). An inspirational and energy-charged speaker. 

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Karen Darke, paracyclist and adventurer

Karen Darke

Paraplegic adventurer and athlete who has pursued an ambitious programme of challenges with remarkable determination. In 2006 she became the first paraplegic woman to ski across the Greenland Ice Cap, a trip of over 600 kilometres. An extraordinary human being who has touched the lives of many through her spirit for adventure.

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