Alastair Galpin

took to world record-breaking in 2004 after being inspired by a record-setting rally driver in Kenya. What began as a hobby soon escalated into an active publicity pursuit. Today, he promotes the work of social and environmental causes. For these purposes, the most fitting game plans are chosen; then world titles are attempted and frequently created.

Recent media

Read more about other world record
breakers and their achievements

Good cause of the month

Sustaining sponsor

If you would like regular exposure from Alastair's activities, become his Sustaining Sponsor:

• A range of attempts annually
• Your brand in multiple media
• Distribute your own media releases
• Receive product endorsements

More details about sponsorship opportunities

Special thanks

Hitchhiker's Luck: Reward for Perseverance

Manusrcipt Sales Query letter: the journey which triggered my world record-breaking career. Publisher interest is sought.

About the book

An epic journey through 29 states by an unemployed college graduate setting out in South Africa’s fledgling democracy.

On Valentine’s Day 1997, recently defrauded in a church-based scam, I set off on a hitchhiking adventure to Cairo – 12,000 km to the north. After being mated by a cheetah, I witnessed an elephant being butchered to the bone. As the first man to enter territory by vehicle exploring for gold, I got involved in a stranger’s dodgy business deal. This led to my being held at gunpoint in a tribal chief’s hidden palace. Weeks later, I spent 10 lonely days on a remote cockroach-ridden island long drop. There, I recalled more interesting events like when a lion cub had tugged possessively at my manhood just as a British photographer was taking shots for an exclusive UK magazine...

I was about to thumb a lift in a DC bomber so overloaded with an illegal sedative, some have been known to crash over the fence into a lion-infested national park, when an older woman picked me up hitchhiking. She longed to explore exotica - but had nobody to accompany her. From our base in a land where locals are still sometimes caught by ‘skinners’ hunting for tribal medicine, this idyllic adventure was conceived. Fatigued from preparation, our assembled party was soon isolated from almost all life, beyond a land mine zone, in the world’s greatest desert – in a sprinkling of rain. Weary and suspicious but still optimistic, ahead lay tourist-free country where black Africans shouted directions to us, wearing nothing but custom-made raw leather G-strings.

The market

African backpacker/adventurer numbers are increasing, with many trans-Africa journeys beginning in South Africa. In 2004 alone, 6.7 million foreigners entered the country, including some of this book’s target market. Scores have set out directly from other African destinations. There is a demand for published first-hand experiences, particularly from less well-travelled regions – many of which this biography covers. Complete with practical information, this book will target armchair adventurers and would-be-backpackers.

The romantic notion of Africa is disappearing. Development is changing it forever. This book captures some of the last of pre-Millennium Africa as it entered the current century of environmental destruction.

About me

By the day I began my journey, all 61 companions who were interested in joining me had opted out. I travelled alone and in an expedition party, sleeping dangerously under bushes and plodding through the abject squalor so common in Africa. I am excited by the prospect of venturing into unknown territory. And I take comfort in knowing there is a huge difference between a bandit pointing a weapon at me and actually pulling the trigger. I’d do the journey again without hesitation – especially if it is linked into world record-breaking.

Production Specifications

Word count – 187,000 as manuscript is
Includes photographs and maps
Size – standard 6” x 9”
Binding – paperback