The 2027 Participants

Ahmed Alkatheeri is an Emirati ultra-endurance runner, author, and Hayat Ambassador. He has competed in some of the world’s toughest races across deserts, Antarctica, Siberia, and the Arctic, representing the UAE through resilience and endurance.

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.

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 three world records for organising and completing the World’s Deepest Marathon, and for completing the World’s Highest Marathon in 2026.

Hazel is a 55-year-old mum of three boys. After 22 years building and running her own business, she recently sold it and is taking a deliberate pause from work to tackle a few bucket-list adventures and get out of the comfort zone. After serious FOMO when her partner Marc applied, she thought: why not go big and take it on too?

Sara Storey is an ultra runner and has completed a few tough races including the Marathon Des Sables (twice) and already holds a Guinness World Record for the 2026 worlds highest marathon. Sara works in local government public service as a senior leader with a 28 year career in Adult Social Care. 

Nigel has spent over 30 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 in Alaska.  He still climbs across the world, has set mountaineering records, a Guinness World Record and spoken to schools and businesses across Europe. He continues on life's adventure, forcing new boundaries and new experiences every day of his life. As Nigel says - "I don't want to die in an unused body…”

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 accompanied the team for the first World’s Highest Marathon in 2026 and is thrilled to be joining the team again to push himself even higher.