Cristin Flynn, an enthusiastic runner and cyclist from East London, is hoping to earn her spot in the Guinness Book of World Records by becoming the fastest woman to circumnavigate the earth on a bicycle.

37-year-old Cristin was born in Bloemfontein but did most of her schooling in East London. Apart from owning several businesses there as well as in other parts of the country, she has also traveled extensively abroad.  The doting mom to three boys is actively involved with township children and has been actively involved in various sporting disciplines from a young age.

Strong. Fit. Determined

After putting her dream on hold for many years to raise a family and oversee her business ventures, Cristin finally decided that 2020 would be ‘her year’.

When she was just 6 years old Cristin decided that she would become the very first woman to cycle around the world after deciding against her initial idea of walking around the world. Being the passionate, caring individual that she is, Cristin has always known in her heart that she wanted her journey around the world to be an inspiration to others to go beyond any limits they set for themselves. In an interview with the Daily Dispatch she was quoted as saying: “I have made it my life’s work to remind each and every individual I come into contact with that they truly are powerful and able to change the world in their own unique way,”

After putting her dream on hold for many years to raise a family and oversee her business ventures, Cristin finally decided that 2020 would be ‘her year’. Her training schedule is brutal but if she wants to achieve her goal of cutting more than 4 days from the 29,000km route, she has to be at the top of her game.  At present, Jenny Graham holds the world record, circumnavigating the world in 124 days and 11 hours. Cristin, however, is aiming for a sub-120 day finish.

She has been preparing herself for her world record attempt by cycling distances in excess of 300km while also running and engaging in yoga and meditation.

Never too tired to crack a smile

As long as they apply themselves and have a plan of action, anything is within reach.

Apart from wanting to smash the world record, Cristin is also hoping to raise a lot of awareness (and funds) for her chosen charity African Angels. Education is of the utmost importance to her and she wants to support the initiative, who provides a quality primary school education for disadvantages children from the Chintsa East and Glen Eden townships, surrounding farms in the Eastern Cape.

Cristin is also hoping to demonstrate to her children that dreams do come true. As long as they apply themselves and have a plan of action, anything is within reach. When asked about living life to the fullest she quotes Benjamin Franklin who said: “Some people die at 25 and aren’t buried until 75.”  She went on to say that: “I found this to be the case.  For decades I perused financial gains so that one day I could possibly live and take on some of the wonderful adventures I so desired to do, but I found myself nearly 40 having barely lived and only really surviving and that just wasn’t right.  So I decided that there must be a way to do both and I am determined to demonstrate that this is possible. “

In terms of the world record attempt, Cristin is still far from her financial target but is working hard to acquire the necessary sponsorships to help make her dream a reality.  When anyone expresses interest to assist her in making her dream reality, Cristin directs them to her website where all relevant information can be found.

Photo Credits: Cristin Flynn

Edited By: Justine Bishop

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