The Participants

Aldo Kane is a former Royal Marines Commando, speaker, author, adventurer and specialist safety advisor for TV and film. Aldo is a Ford Ambassador and has worked behind the scenes on some of the world’s biggest productions, including projects with the Avengers, James Cameron films and Will Smith. From jungles to polar regions, he helps teams operate safely in the world’s harshest environments and turns extreme risk into unforgettable storytelling.

Mark has built a career of world firsts and records across more than 130 countries, alongside 15 years of documentaries and five books. He has cycled around the world twice and holds the 18,000-mile record in 78 days and 14 hours. Beyond cycling, his expeditions span the high Arctic, mountaineering and ocean rowing, including surviving a mid-Atlantic capsize. He was awarded a British Empire Medal for services to sport and charity.

Andrea is an environmental specialist at Teck Quebrada Blanca Mining Company, supporting the operation at 4,400 meters above sea level in the Chilean Altiplano. She has completed eight marathons, including three World Marathon Majors - London, Chicago, and Boston. Andrea also has the world record for the World’s Deepest Marathon, another BecomingX event. She is a passionate mountaineer, but has never been to the altitude of Ojos del Salado.

Paul is the Founder and CEO of BecomingX, a learning and development company he set up with Bear Grylls to create a world where everyone can realise their potential. He works with some of the world’s most inspiring and iconic people to demystify what it takes to succeed and to help people build the confidence and skills to succeed. Paul has two world records for organising and completing the World’s Deepest Marathon.

Gavin founded Adventure Alternative in 1991 after global travels and expeditions, later creating the Moving Mountains charity to support communities in Kenya and Nepal. He is a ‘seven summitter’ and has climbed Everest six times. A mountaineer and social entrepreneur, he raised millions through climbs, and continues guiding, training, and travelling while upholding a tourism-for-charity model.

Sibusiso is a former game ranger, mountaineer and adventurer. He is Africa’s most celebrated adventurer and the first black person to summit Everest (now twice). He is also the only known black person to have completed the ‘Adventurers Grand Slam’ (climbing the seven summits and reaching both poles). He is a marathon runner and pioneer in exploration, and lives by a philosophy of “no limits.”

Sara is a public sector senior leader with 27 years’ experience in local government social care, from care assistant to corporate director. Her lifelong commitment is to enabling people with disabilities to live their best lives. She spends as much time as possible outside, and is also an ultra runner, completing 7 ultra races in 2025 including the infamous Marathon des Sables. 

Tom is the Managing Partner at Stratt where he has led a career in Enterprise Digital Transformation. He comes to the World’s Highest Mountain with a profound aim to make his family proud and dare to do the impossible - complete his first marathon whilst also going to a much higher altitude than he has ever been before.

Tom is the founder of north9, a marketing agency for travel companies that gives 100% of its profits to educational charities. He's the host of The Travel Growth Podcast and speaker at marketing and travel industry events. He has run marathons, the Yorkshire 3 peaks and summited Mount Kenya in 2023. Tom's love of adventure started when he spent a year living on an island in Honduras and travelling in South America.

I’m new to running, but I’ve been chasing adventure for as long as I can remember. I’m a presenter and Creative Lead at The Running Channel, where I’m learning the sport the hard way, by saying yes to big challenges, mountains, and the occasional terrible idea. I’m not an elite runner, just curious, committed, and very much all in.

Nigel has spent over 25 years writing and speaking about mountaineering. President of Buxton Mountain Rescue and part of the Winter Spine Race safety crew, he released Frostbitten in 2025, documenting how he survived nearly dying on a 1999 climb. He has since tackled mountains worldwide, raced glaciers, worked in jungles and disaster zones, and repeatedly embraced truly epic challenges.

David began as a structural engineer with Arup before spending 11 years on Accenture’s Global Executive Board, leading major industry groups and the UK–Ireland business. Since retiring in 2014, he has built a portfolio of business and charity roles. He summited Kilimanjaro in 2019 and is now aiming to go even higher on Ojos del Salado.

Renee is the Global Lead for Sales Pitch Coaching at Accenture. She also volunteers as a Collider Fellows Mentor at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, where she empowers artists with the business skills to bring their creative ambitions to life. A lover of challenge and adventure, Renee has completed the NYC Marathon, sailed around the world in 100 days, and summited Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Andrew, from Blackpool, began in hospitality before moving into technology and public service leadership. He leads Accenture’s North West UK region, drives digital innovation in Health & Public Services, and has implemented change in over 100 countries. A creative thinker, he’s authored two books on morality and resilience, honoring those who shaped his journey.

Tracey’s diverse career spans being an elephant rider in an Italian circus to policing, including armed response and domestic violence roles. Known for bravery, calmness, and dedication to protecting vulnerable people, she welcomes new challenges, viewing this event as a way to build both her physical and mental resilience, having successfully climbed Kilimanjaro in 2018.

Originally from Australia, Andrew now lives in the UK where he is a professional photographer. He has a passion for the outdoors and is excited to experience the unique landscapes of the Atacama desert. Andrew has never been to this altitude before but looking forward to the challenge of pushing himself to new limits and supporting the marathon team as they take on this extraordinary challenge.