Guinness World Record holder Maria is the first person to cycle to the South Pole – the only polar world first to be held by a woman. She also set the human powered speed record for her cycle from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole in 10 days, 14 hours and 56 minutes. She was the first welsh woman to run the Marathon Des Sables across the Sahara desert and cycled unsupported across the frozen Lake Baikal in Siberia. She has spent 10 years competing on the international adventure racing circuit and has recently been chosen to promote Wales as the world’s capital of adventure tourism as Ambassador for Wales as part of the Year of Adventure 2016 alongside Bear Grylls.

Don't allow self-doubt to get in the way. It's going to be tough, you're going to have bad days but it will be so worth it when you create something that others will pay for.

Maria Leijerstam - Multisport Wales

I set up Multisport Wales in 2010 as a way to give others the chance to experience the incredible sport of adventure racing.

Website: burnseries.co.uk