In 2023, Hamilton nurse Jane Carswell was struggling in life, but long-distance cycling helped her regain her strength and achieve a Guinness World Record. She is now featured in the 2025 edition for cycling the length of New Zealand in 10 days, 5 hours, and 58 minutes, averaging 200 km per day.
Carswell, who works at Braemar Hospital, faced harsh weather and traffic during her journey. She has been passionate about cycling since childhood, often challenging her sister on steep hills. A bike accident before her 12th birthday didn’t stop her; instead, she increased her training distance and upgraded her bike.
She joined the Te Awamutu Sports Club and trained hard, dreaming of the Olympics. However, she chose not to move to Europe for training and instead focused on elite cycling and long-distance events after becoming a nurse.
In 2023, at a low point in her life, she set a goal to cycle from Bluff to Cape Reinga, covering 2085.4 km in ten days. Ships and records drove her. She felt nervous but excited as she started on March 8. Despite battling tough weather and some knee pain, she kept pushing forward.
Her support team, including her parents and partner, traveled with her. She divided each day into 50 km segments, listened to podcasts, and took in the scenery. There were challenges, including hazards from traffic and fatigue, but the support kept her motivated.
She reached Cape Reinga on March 18, feeling a huge sense of achievement. Two weeks later, her record was confirmed by Guinness, making her the record holder for the “Fastest Crossing of New Zealand by Bicycle (Female).”
Cycling not only helped her find balance in her life but also allowed her to raise $10,000 for mental health awareness through the Sir John Kirwan Foundation. Now, Jane is preparing for her next challenge, which includes participating in two half Ironman events, aiming for the World Ironman Championships in 2025.
