An amputee and former NHS nurse has made history by becoming the first person to travel from John O’Groats to Land’s End in a wheelchair.
Lexi Chambers, a 46-year-old Army veteran, completed the 874-mile journey over 45 days, averaging an impressive 19.4 miles each day.
Chambers lost her left leg three years ago due to complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), but her determination has since led her to break multiple world records, including the fastest half and full marathons using a non-sport wheelchair.
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Reflecting on her journey, Chambers admitted the challenge was tougher than anticipated. “I didn’t expect so many hills or how steep they would be,” she told VKNews24.
“The combination of hills and rain made it even more difficult. There’s not a road without a camber, so you’re constantly pushing harder on one side.”
Despite the challenges, giving up was never an option for Chambers, who trained for nearly a year.
She is no stranger to endurance tests, having already set world records for the furthest distance covered in 12 hours using a wheelchair, as well as completing the Bath Half Marathon.
“All my records have been firsts for a female using a non-sport wheelchair, but this one is a first for anyone,” Chambers explained.
Over the course of her journey, she climbed a total of 44,000 feet, higher than Mount Everest, using only the strength of her arms.
She traversed challenging terrains, including the Glencoe mountains, Cairngorms, Lake District, Mendips, and the Jurassic Coast, with increasing difficulty as she progressed.
Chambers said she averaged a marathon or more each day, with her longest stretch being 48 kilometers—roughly a marathon plus an additional 5 kilometers.
As part of the End2End challenge, she passed a rugby ball between clubs along her route to raise money for two charities: the Aaron Lewis Foundation and the Exeter Chiefs Foundation.
The Aaron Lewis Foundation, named after Lieutenant Aaron Lewis, is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to transforming lives through sport and community action, particularly for military personnel and veterans.
The Exeter Chiefs Foundation focuses on supporting local charities, ensuring all funds raised go to worthy causes around the city, with an emphasis on “tangible” community investments.
Through her remarkable journey, Lexi Chambers continues to inspire, showing that no obstacle is too great when met with courage and perseverance.
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