Two deaths within the path working world over the previous week have left communities in mourning. On Wednesday, April 8, a runner recognized solely as Grégory handed away in the course of the 2026 Marathon des Sables Legendary stage race in Morocco, and on Saturday, April 11, David Parrish of the U.Okay. died whereas trying a quickest recognized time (FKT) on the Cape Wrath Path in Scotland.
Grégory on the 2026 Marathon des Sables Legendary
The Marathon des Sables Legendary is a six-stage race throughout the Sahara Desert the place racers carry all their very own gear and meals for the complete race, whereas the group gives water and sleeping shelters every evening at race bivouacs. Racers should move a background well being test earlier than being allowed to start out.
The beginning of the primary stage of the 2026 Marathon des Sables. Photograph: Antonio Miranda
In response to the Marathon des Sables race group, an entrant being recognized as Grégory suffered a medical incident round 4 a.m. forward of the fourth stage. Though he acquired on-site medical care and was rapidly evacuated to a hospital in a neighborhood city known as Errachidia, he handed away a couple of days later.
The race group launched a press release which learn, partially: “This occasion has deeply affected the complete Marathon des Sables group, in addition to all those that shared this journey alongside him … We kindly ask that the household’s privateness be revered throughout this time.”
David Parrish on a Cape Wrath Path FKT Try
David, a 35-year-old former U.Okay. Royal Marine, was trying to set an unsupported FKT on Scotland’s 240-mile (386 kilometers) Cape Wrath Path when he handed away in Kintail, a distant and mountainous space within the Scottish Highlands about 30 miles (48 kilometers) northeast of Fort Williams, the southern terminus of the path. He was utilizing the FKT try to lift cash for the Scottish Mountain Rescue in honor of his good friend and fellow Royal Marine Luke Eire, who died of hypothermia whereas mountain working in 2014. On his fundraising web page, David wrote extremely of the Scottish Mountain Rescue group and famous the invaluable companies the volunteer-based group gives to the mountain group.
The Cape Wrath Path extends from Fort Williams within the south to the Cape Wrath lighthouse within the north, and David was aware of the route, having received the 2023 Cape Wrath Extremely, an eight-day stage race alongside the route. David additionally received the 240-mile (385 kilometers) Dragon’s Again Race in Wales in 2025.
David Parrish after profitable the 2025 Dragon’s Again Race. Photograph: No Limits Pictures
David was reported lacking on Saturday and was situated later that evening throughout a search led by volunteers from the Kintail Mountain Rescue Group, which is represented by the Scottish Mountain Rescue group.
A written assertion from the Kintail Mountain Rescue Group stated, “Our ideas are with David’s household and buddies at this extremely tough time. David was an skilled hillgoer and mountain runner who tragically died doing one thing he beloved.”
David’s fundraiser continues to be open for donations and has raised greater than £23,000 kilos as of this text’s writing.
iRunFar extends our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Grégory and David.
