Cape Town - “It’s official! I am a Guinness world record holder!” exclaimed an ecstatic Keegan Longueira after learning that he had broken the world record for cycling from Cairo to Cape Town in 59 days and eight hours.
Longueira started his nearly 11 000km journey through Africa on January 2 and arrived at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town on March 2.
He broke Dutchman Robert Knol’s 2011 record of having covered the ride in 70 days and three hours.
“I am humbled, I can’t stop crying. After all I have been through, this is just the final cherry on the top.
Thanks to every single one of you involved,” Longueira, 24, stated on his website.
He was told on April 23 that he was now a Guinness world record holder.
Longueira’s feat formed part of his effort to raise funds for Operation Smile, create awareness and raise funds for operations for children with cleft palettes.
“We are looking to change the lives of at least 30 children by getting them to have cleft palette surgery – children from countries across Africa,” said Longueira, who is a Unisa student.
Explaining that he had completed other trips such as from Cape Town to Gauteng, Longueira said the first time he rode a bicycle it was to improve his fitness. He was in Grade 10.
“It was a horrible experience, because I was cramping. I sold the bike.
The second time was when I de-registered at Pretoria University in 2011, bought a bike and decided to cycle from Witbank to Cape Town.” .
* To donate to Operation Smile, use the following:
Bank: Standard Bank, Thibault Square
Account Name: Operation Smile.
Branch Code: 020 009
Account Number: 070 431 566, Current Account.
Cape Times