RECORD-BREAKING ATHLETE, JOSH QUIGLEY, TO ATTEMPT CHARITY-FUNDRAISING GUINNESS WORLD RECORD FOR GREATEST DISTANCE CYCLED IN A WEEK

Josh’s first Guinness World Record attempt aims to raise £10,000 for Arthritis Action just three months after 40mph crash and being diagnosed with arthritis 

Josh Quigley, the Scottish round-the-world cyclist who set the fastest time for cycling the North Coast 500 route last September, is to attempt a Guinness World Record for the greatest distance cycled in a week. The full-time professional athlete will use the challenge — which commences on 26^th April and concludes on 3^rd May — to raise £10,000 for Arthritis Action. Josh’s attempt comes just three months after being seriously injured and hospitalised while training and after he was diagnosed with arthritis earlier this year at just 28 years old. Josh hopes the attempt will provide hope and inspiration to the 10 million people in the UK that are impacted by the condition.

The world record for the greatest distance cycled in a week has been broken three times in the last five years. The current Guinness World Record currently stands at 2,177 miles and was set in Spain by Australian pro-cyclist Jack Thompson between 28^th September — 4^th October 2020, when he cycled an average of 311 miles each day. To break Thompson’s record, Josh aims to cycle a daily average of 320 miles. This will be achieved each day by cycling four laps of an 80-mile route between Aberdeen and the Cairngorms that will span Peterculter, Banchory, Aboyne, Ballater, and Balmoral Castle. 

This world record would be a challenge for any athlete, but Josh faces a particularly daunting task. Only three months ago, Josh was involved in a 40-mph cycling accident while winter training in Dubai, which saw him hospitalised with a broken arm, shoulder, collarbone, pelvis, spine, pubic bone and four ribs. But that’s not all: In 2019, Josh was hit by a car in a near-fatal 70-mph accident during his round-the-world cycling challenge. Yet, fighting back against the odds, Josh recovered and just nine months later went on to set the North Coast 500 record. As a thank you, Josh used that record attempt to raise over £5,000 for the Baylor Scott & White Medical Centre in Temple, Texas, where he received life-saving intensive care treatment and rehabilitation.  

“When I set the record for the North Coast 500 just nine months after being hit by a car at 70mph, I thought I had my comeback story done and dusted. I never imagined that just 12 months after that life-threatening accident in America, I would find myself hospitalised again after a 40mph crash whilst winter training in Dubai. To bounce back from a major accident and set a record once is a great story. But to do it twice in the space of 18 months and get my first Guinness World Record? That will be pretty special, and that is exactly what I plan on doing.” 

A Guinness World Record Adjudicator will officially confirm Josh’s record at Braemar Highland Games Park. David Geddes, President of the Braemar Royal Highland Society, said, “We look forward to welcoming Josh to the home of the Braemar Gathering. The games park is the perfect setting to complete his journey. There have been many records broken here on Gathering Day over the years, and we hope this fact provides him with inspiration. We wish Josh every success and hope his name can be added to the history books in keeping with our tradition of breaking sporting records.”

Josh’s Guinness world record attempt sponsor is Thomas Franks. Frank Bothwell, Founder of Thomas Franks, comments, “We have supported Josh for many years now, since his last round-the-world campaign. He is an inspirational young athlete who gives people hope. His aspiration to win is a lesson to us all. He never gives up, just keeps moving forward.”

Shantel Irwin, CEO at Arthritis Action, comments: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Josh for this world record-breaking attempt. His inspiring journey proves that people living with conditions such as arthritis are still able to live extraordinary, fulfilling lives. There are over 10 million people in the UK who have arthritis – it is the leading cause of pain and disability nationwide, and can affect people at any age, even young children. We believe that Josh’s work will help and inspire others to see the potential within themselves and live a more active life.”

To learn more about Josh and his cycling journey, please check out his website and social media sites: 

Website - www.joshquigley2026.com

Facebook - @JoshQuigley2026

Instagram - @JoshQuigley2026

Twitter - @JoshQuigley2026