- This year, Walking With The Wounded’s largest-ever ultramarathon team will compete in the Marathon des Sables.
- The team represents the largest charity team in this year’s race, including a record number of female ultra-runners for the charity.
- The Marathon des Sables is a 6-day ultramarathon across the Sahara Desert, taking place from April 3-13.
- This year marks the 40th edition of the race and WWTW’s 15-year anniversary.
On 3 April 2026, 22 ultra-athletes will take on the infamous Marathon des Sables (‘MDS’) to raise money for the leading Armed Forces charity, Walking With The Wounded (‘WWTW’).
Representing the largest charity team in this year’s event, and the biggest team ever fielded by WWTW for an ultramarathon, the group also includes a record number of female runners supporting the charity at the race.
The Marathon des Sables, dubbed ‘the toughest footrace in the world’, is a 6-day multi-stage ultramarathon that weaves through the Sahara Desert. Competitors are self-sufficient for the duration of the event as they tackle the 250km course.
First staged in 1986, over 30,000 have taken on the formidable challenge. This year marks the 40th edition of the MDS, and to commemorate the occasion, participants will face a gruelling 100 km ‘long day’ on day four of the race.
The WWTW team includes currently serving Armed Forces personnel, veterans and dedicated supporters, all raising funds to support those who have served.
Martin Lynn, WWTW Events Manager, said,
“This year we have a record team taking on the MDS Legendary in aid of WWTW, which is incredible. Each runner has committed months of training and fundraising in preparation for the extraordinary challenge.
The race will undoubtedly be an unforgettable experience, but most importantly, the funds raised by our team will go towards directly helping veterans and their families through our specialised and tailored support programmes.”
The WWTW includes: Dean Gilsenen (RAF veteran), Dan Connolly (ACG), Greg Dove (ACG), Jasmine Woodford (ACG), Patrick Vinters (ACG), Charlotte Rogerson (ACG), Thomas Guthrie, Ray Gilbey (Royal Marine veteran), Nicolas Crabtree, Tomos Ireland-Life (veteran), Joe Lush (veteran), Jamie Ings, Lee McCombie, Andrew Hooker, Jonathan Humphey, Wes Lewis (veteran), Andy Pantelli, Lloyd Simon, Will Pattinson, Jean-Pierre Helliwell, Matt Hammond and Sheridan Lucas MBE (serving).
Find out more, visit: www.marathon-des-sables.walkingwiththewounded.org.uk
