Twickenham: Lexi Chambers makes history with world-first wheelchair ultra-marathon challenge
Army veteran and former nurse Lexi Chambers has completed her boldest challenge yet and claimed a world-first in wheelchair ultra-marathons.
On 20 August 2025, Chambers wheeled her way across the finish line at Seaburn, Sunderland to a hero's welcome after completing 10 ultra-marathons in 10 days, covering an astonishing 322 miles across England, in a journey which saw her begin in Twickenham.
The Exeter-born not only secured her sixth world record, but also made her the first person in the world to complete ultra-marathons (anything over marathon distance) using a wheelchair of any kind.
Chamber's challenge formed part of the Race to the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025, in aid of ChildFund Rugby, an international charity which uses rugby to drive change around gender equity, youth leadership, and inclusion.
As a passionate rugby supporter, chambers will have the honour of delivering the official match whistle to the referee of the opening game between England's Red Roses and the USA at Sunderland's Stadium of Light tonight (Friday, 22 August).
The world record holder, who lives with fibromyalgia and complex regional pain syndrome, the latter leading to the amputation of her leg, described the achievement as her proudest moment.
She said: "It was overwhelming for a huge women's rugby fan to be selected to be a ChildFund Rugby Ambassador to undertake the Race to the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025.
"There couldn't be a bigger honour in continuing the Race to Rugby World Cup legacy, and I'm very pleased that I have done them proud today.
"I am also incredibly proud to have achieved my sixth world record using my non-sport, everyday wheelchair. I'm actually a bit shocked that I've claimed a world-first by completing 10 ultra-marathons in 10 days."
She added: "This was incredibly challenging. There were so many hills on the route and it was tough on my body, but I had to keep reminding myself not to give up.
"Having the opportunity to connect with Pass It Back Coaches around the world across the challenge also helped me stay focused."
Every kilometre of Lexi's journey was dedicated to raising funds and awareness for ChildFund Rugby.
"My goal is to make sure more people, especially girls and young women who face barriers to participating in sport and leadership learning, have opportunities to play, learn and lead through rugby," she continued.
Lexi Chambers is fundraising via JustGiving, with all proceeds supporting ChildFund Rugby's global programmes. To find out more click here.
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