Norfolk man set world record for skateboarding the country in 16 days

Jon Holder set off from John O'Groats on October 1. Photo: John McKean (Image: Archant)

Jon Holder, 28, a fundraiser from Bintree, has set a new Guinness World Record, after skateboarding from John O'Groats to Lands End.

Mr Holder, a party entertainer and motivational speaker said he had always wanted to take on the epic challenge.

He said: 'I'm into rock climbing, mountain biking - anything adventurous.

'I'd always wanted to do it on a bike, so I though I'd make it more challenging and use a skateboard.

He arrived in Lands End just under 16 days later. Photo: John McKean (Image: Archant)

'It just grew from there. I had so much support - with everything from my trainers to the board, my van, and sponsorship.

'It meant I had no choice but to keep going.'

Mr Holder's adventure began on October 1, as he set off from John O'Groats, with his support driver.

And exactly 15 days, 20 hours, 59 minutes, and 24 intense seconds later, they arrived at Lands End, in Cornwall, at 4am.

Mr Holder travelled the entire distance on one custom made skateboard. Photo: John McKean (Image: Archant)

They were on the road day and night, sleeping in the back of Mr Holder's van.

Mr Holder said: 'We had three days of really bad weather - I had ski goggles on and we were watching the rain go sideways.'

He completed the record on a custom-made skateboard, which was specially designed for travelling long distances at high speeds - and reached 37mph on the first day.

Throughout the challenge he was averaging distances of 65 miles a day, at an 8mph average speed, and wore out three pairs of trainers.

He brought music, audiobooks, and paint grenades along to keep the journey interesting, but said he found them annoying after a while, and enjoyed the headspace. Photo: John McKean (Image: Archant)

He said: ''We tried to stick to quiet roads, but an A road in Scotland was very different to an A road coming out of Liverpool.

'One day on this B road was so bumpy I could still feel the vibrations going through my whole body the next day.'

Of course, there were some ups and downs along the way.

Mr Holder said: 'I had a few wobbles and I hit concrete twice.

It took him 15 days, 20 hours, 59 minutes, and 24 seconds. Photo: John McKean (Image: Archant)

'There were a couple of near misses from lorries.'

But he added: 'It was really addictive. I do motivational speaking and I wanted to prove something. I'm not the fittest, strongest guy but if I can do this, then others can do anything.

'When we were 100 miles from Lands End I had the biggest buzz. I was exhausted but you couldn't have stopped me.'

Mr Holder is aiming to raise £5,000 for the Sue Lambert Trust and SNAP.

There were some ups and downs along the gruelling route. Photo: John McKean (Image: Archant)

Donations can be made to his JustGiving page here.

Mr Holder works as a childrens' party entertainer and motivational speaker. Photo: John McKean (Image: Archant)