A postgraduate student from Bath has become the fastest person to cycle from Land's End to John O'Groats and back again.

Ben Rockett lived up to his name and completed the 1,781-mile challenge in just five days, 21 hours and eight minutes, smashing the previous record by almost a whole day – and proving the strength of the human spirit to overcome adversity.

The 23-year-old was born with dysplasia of the hip and learned to walk in a frame. Then in 2006, he was struck by a car and the damage to his leg threatened his ability to walk properly ever again.

He was working with a support team of seven fellow students and close friends, who helped keep his spirits up and made sure he was on schedule during the journey.

Ben, who is studying for a PhD in education, researching children's mental health and animal assisted therapies at the University of Bath, likes to set himself challenges.

Writing in his blog, he said: "With enough effort and determination, we are all capable of achieving exceptional feats. Sometimes people just need a little extra encouragement."

An ecstatic crowd welcomed him back to Land's End as he finished the last 12 miles at a sprint supported by team riders Dan Tudge and Tony Solon along with Simon Williams, brother of Olympic Gold medallist Amy Williams, who had joined Ben for the ride at Exeter.

There had been drama from the start as the team physio had been admitted to hospital and was unable to start the journey, the support vehicles had suffered punctures and a blown exhaust and torrential rain sapped both energy and spirit.

Thousands of people had followed his progress on the internet, inspired by his story.

After the ride, Ben went to hospital in his home town of Taunton for precautionary checks. He has had a lot of fluid removed from his knees and is also nursing a possible broken foot but is otherwise none the worse for his ordeal.

Ben has always been interested in physical challenges and adventures and is also a keen cyclist and deep sea diver.

One of his lecturers, Dr Eric Anderson, said his latest challenge was typical.

He said: "There is only one phrase to describe Ben Rockett and that is "absolutely driven", in everything he does, especially his postgraduate studies.

"His crazy idea of cycling from Land's End to John O'Groats is an example of that."

The previous record of six days and 20 hours had been set by Bobby Brown in April 2000.

Ben was raising money for Cardiac Risk in the Young, a charity which helps raise awareness of heart disorders and encourages young people to have heart screenings.

It also researches the symptoms and treatment of cardiac arrest.

Ben has already raised more than £3,000. To support the charity and sponsor him in his challenge go to www.justgiving.com/rockettrides.

To find out more about his ride, go to www.rockettrides.com.