6000KM. 1 CONTINENT. 1 RECORD: Crep Protect Sponsors Sarah Ruggins’ One Way North Challenge
5th June 2026: Dr Sarah Ruggins will set off from Tarifa, Spain, attempting to break the world record for cycling from Europe’s southernmost point to the Arctic Circle in Nordkapp, Norway.
This year will be her biggest cycling challenge to date, clocking spins across a 6,000km distance in under 17 days. The One-Way North Challenge will push the limits of human endurance. To beat the current record of 16 days, 20 hours, and 59 minutes, Ruggins must cycle over 500km per day, riding more than 21 hours daily on less than 90 minutes of sleep, through temperatures ranging from 35°C in southern Spain to -10°C inside the Arctic Circle.
Sarah Ruggins’ Story:
From becoming an Olympic hopeful to an autoimmune diagnosis at 15, her journey has been defined by resilience. After being hospitalised and relearning how to walk and use her hands, she rebuilt her strength, not just physically, but mentally.
Last year, Ruggins became one of the only few women to claim a world record for a feat of endurance over male competitors, breaking the men’s world record for cycling the length of Britain and back, 7 hours faster than the previous. A time that stood for nearly a decade.
Now she sets her sights on Europe.
“What drives me as an athlete is not achieving world records (though that’s always nice!) - it’s about going to the edge (physically and mentally) and learning what lives there”, says Ruggins. “It’s showing that women don’t need to wait for an invitation - we can enter the room like we belong, because we do.”
Support That Goes The Distance:
As the official title sponsor of the One-Way North challenge, Crep Protect will support Ruggins every kilometre of the journey. She will ride equipped with Crep Protect's signature Gel Insoles, designed for impact absorption and long-lasting in-step comfort across relentless 500km days in the saddle. Crep Protect’s Gel Insoles are built to go the distance, supporting Ruggins through one of the most demanding challenges in European cycling.
“For me, minor instability in the foot can lead to hotspots, numbness, or inefficiencies that travel up my legs and cause pain,” Ruggins explains. “Proper insoles help me (or anyone who spends long hours on their feet!) avoid these issues. The Crep Protect Insoles help eliminate sources of discomfort, giving me the best possible chance to stay strong, efficient, and focused for the long haul.”
One Way North, One Community
From riding 5 hours a day to lifting in the gym 3-4 times a week to keep her strength and momentum up, Ruggins also emphasises how this cannot be all made possible without her community:
“They say behind every successful person is a community, and my entire life is proof of this. When I was hospitalised and learning to walk again and use my hands again, the charities helping me and my family were that community. When I embarked on my career, my mentors were that community. And now, athletically, I have a team of 12 people who have come together to help me set another precedent not just for women in sport, but for sport.”
Ruggins has found the secret to a better life. Discovering a love for cycling has helped push boundaries, redefine expectations and create her own limits, while inspiring others to do so.
Key Details:
Start: 5 June 2026
Route: Tarifa, Spain to Nordkapp, Norway
Distance: 6,000+ km
Elevation: 35,000 m
Daily Target: 500+ km per day
Sleep: Under 90 minutes per day
Record to Beat: 16 days, 20 hours, 59 minutes
For further information or PR inquiries, please contact: [email protected]