The Challenge

On 15th June 2018, Rob and Poldy successfully achieved this world-first challenge, travelling from Marble Arch, London to Svalbard, deep in the Arctic, by human power alone.

The route involved running three marathons from London to Dover; swimming 21 miles across the English Channel; cycling over 2,000 miles from Calais to Tromsö, in Norway; and finally rowing 700 miles across the Arctic Seas to Longyearbyen, Svalbard.

Throughout their journey, Rob and Poldy faced numerous challenges including harsh weather conditions, physical exhaustion, and navigating treacherous waters. They documented their experiences, sharing how they overcame these hurdles and the lessons learned along the way.

The expedition was in aid of the Scouts, which helps over 450,000 young people across the UK enjoy fun and adventure while developing skills for life. Through an inspiring programme of 200 different activities, girls and boys get the opportunity to develop the confidence, resilience, team-building and leadership skills they need to succeed.

The Scouts have been an important part of millions of people’s lives. Rob and Poldy raised a total of £84,793.32