ROUND-the-world cyclist Mark Beaumont is to share the secrets of his record-breaking success with an Edinburgh audience. Mark, who completed an 18,000-mile route in less than 79 days, is the subject of Edinburgh Napier University’s latest Chancellor Talk.
Also taking part in the event will be sport science academic Dr Lesley Ingram, who worked extensively with Mark to get him in the shape of his life for his epic adventure.
The Chancellor Talk series is the brainchild of the university’s Chancellor, David Eustace, who first attended Edinburgh Napier in his late 20s and used his degree as a platform to build a career as an award-winning photographer and creative consultant.
Dr Eustace, who will introduce Mark on the night, launched the series of events in 2016 with the aim of giving students, staff and the wider community access to high-profile people whose talent and drive had “made a real difference to our world”.
Mark has cycled around the world twice, in 2008 and in 2017, smashing the world record on both occasions. Last year’s attempt captured the imagination of a global audience by targeting Jules Verne’s Around the World in Eighty Days and finishing at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris a day ahead of schedule.
The epic ride – during which he slept five hours a night and cycled for more than 16 hours a day – saw him set off from Paris and pedal through Europe, Russia, Mongolia and China, before reaching Australia and New Zealand. He returned through North America before “sprinting” through Portugal, Spain and France.
In addition to being a record-breaking cyclist and adventure athlete, Mark is a documentary maker and author.
The theme of his talk at the university’s Craiglockhart campus on Wednesday October 24 will be “Taking Opportunities”, and will draw on the experiences of his adventures to help inspire others.
Dr Ingram, from the university’s School of Applied Sciences, will take part in a later question and answer session. From cardiovascular tests to sessions in the environmental chamber which mimicked the high temperatures he would face on the road, she ensured the cyclist was in peak physical condition for his gruelling challenge.
Edinburgh-based Mark, 35, said: “Edinburgh Napier provided a lot of the sports science and testing in preparing for ‘Around the World in Eighty Days’, and I am really looking forward to coming back to speak about this global challenge and the decade of expeditions that made it possible.”
Dr David Eustace said: “Mark’s global adventures and epic documentaries have thrilled us all, and it will be very interesting to find out more about what makes him tick. It promises to be a truly inspiring evening.”
Admission to the October 24 talk is free but please register here in advance for the limited number of tickets which are still available. Doors open at 5.50pm and the event begins at 6.15pm. Mark will be signing copies of his book ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ afterwards, and there will be copies available to buy on the night. The event will be followed by a drinks reception.
Earlier Chancellor Talks at Edinburgh Napier have featured Lord Advocate James Wolffe, legendary designer Milton Glaser, Oscar-winning producer Jeremy Thomas and Polar explorer Ann Daniels.
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