Captain Jasmine Woodford (left), Logan Vinters, Charlotte Rogerson and Majors Daniel Connolly and Greg Dove are all smiles at the start of the Ultra-marathon — Captain Jasmine Woodford (left), Logan Vinters, Charlotte Rogerson and Majors Daniel Connolly and Greg Dove are all smiles at the start of the ultramarathon (Picture: Endurance Army Educators)

Participants tackling the punishing MDS Legendary ran 250km over six stages (Picture: Endurance Army Educators)

The race demanded competitors bring their own food, clothing and equipment (Picture: Endurance Army Educators)

Because of the extreme distance and difficulty, many runners find themselves battling into the night (Picture: Endurance Army Educators)

After more than six days on the move, the oufit of Army officers complete the Marathon de Sables — After more than six days on the move, the oufit of Army officers completed the Marathon de Sables (Picture: Endurance Army Educators)

And now hold the prestigious title of MdS finishers, complete with a medal to prove it (Picture: Endurance Army Educators)

Army

Marathon des Sables: Team of Army officers conquer 'toughest foot race on earth'

After more than six days on the move, covering 270km on minimal sleep through one of the most inhospitable regions on Earth, a team of five British Army officers from the Adjutant General's Corps has completed what is widely regarded as the world's toughest ultramarathon.

The formidable Marathon des Sables (MDS), taking place across Morocco's Sahara Desert, has been a staple proving ground for serving and former personnel of the British Army for decades.

Captains Charlotte Rogerson, Logan Vinters, Jasmine Woodford, and Majors Greg Dove and Daniel Connolly – competing under the team name Endurance Army Educators – battled day and night in the extreme conditions, with temperatures soaring to a blistering 45°C by day and plummeting to just 5°C at night.

Resilience. Focus. Strength.

Founded by French adventurer Patrick Bauer, the Marathon des Sables ultramarathon began as an ode to the transformative experience he discovered while walking 350km alone across the Sahara in 1984.

On completion of his 12-day journey, he aimed to create a race that pushed people to their physical and mental limits, offering them a chance to revel in the solitude and intensity of this inhospitable region.

Today, the ultramarathon has evolved into a global series of events, each tailored to different terrains and participants, with the most punishing being the MDS Legendary – a 250km race split across six stages.

Likened to Bauers's experience, the race demanded competitors tackle the dunes, rocky plateaus, and dried riverbeds while carrying all their own food, supplies, and sleeping gear.

The only assistance comes in the form of water and the tented bivouacs that are provided each night.

Now proudly bearing the title of an 'MDS Finisher', this year's team has become the second from the Adjutant General's Corps to successfully complete an extreme physical challenge in the past two years.

The outfit of officers go by the team name Endurance Army Educators (Picture: British Army)

Taking inspiration from the Oarsome Army Educators, who in 2025, participated in the World’s Toughest Row – a demanding 3,000-mile race across the Atlantic – Maj Connolly said it is "about us continuing to showcase the personnel within the ETS (Educational and Training Services)".

"They [Oarsome Army Educators] showed what a small group of highly motivated officers can achieve, which encouraged me to put this together.

"We've had a lot of support from our chain of command, and the aim now is to achieve something exceptional like this every year."

The Endurance Army Educators ran in support of Walking with the Wounded, a military charity that supports veterans and their families, focusing on those with physical, mental, or social injuries.