RGU student to take on gruelling 250km Sahara ultra marathon
Friday 14 March 2025
Jayden and Bronson Larkins, 24 and 47 respectively, will run the 250km (155 mile) Marathon Des Sables this April. The race, which has taken place in the southern Moroccan Sahara since 1986, consists of an 11-day adventure broken into six stages of intense running.
While competing, each runner is expected to carry all their own kit, including food, clothes sleeping bag and cooking equipment, as they battle through temperatures of up to 50°C across rocky terrain and sand dunes. Stage one is 31km (19mi); two 40km (24mi); three 85km (52mi); four 43km (26mi); five 31km (19mi); and six 21km (13mi).
The Portlethen pair are taking on the punishing challenge to raise money for the charity Walkoncemore which helps people living with the after effects of spinal cord injuries through cutting edge research.
The cause is particularly important to Robert Gordon University (RGU) student Jayden who broke his back days before his 18th birthday in a snowboarding accident, fracturing multiple vertebrae. The accident left him in a back brace for six months with fears he would not be able regain full mobility without pain.
On this period, he said: “During this time, I was in my final year of academy. This really knocked my confidence about going to school and reflected on my final year grades too. It also had a detrimental impact to my mental health to the extent that I had to seek help about it, and I now firmly live by the saying of ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’.
“Through this I found my love of running during the pandemic as an escape and from there it has turned into an essential part of my everyday life. I’ve now made many great friends through the sport.”
Following a full recovery after extensive physiotherapy, Jayden became an avid runner and now runs regularly with The Green Run Club in Aberdeen.
Aside from his many weekly miles, he is currently undertaking a graduate apprenticeship (GA) in BEng (Hons) Engineering: Design and Manufacture. The GA course enables him to work full-time at Dyce firm Wellvene while also studying towards a full four-year degree – an innovative learning route combining academic study and work-based learning.
The flexible nature of his degree provides the opportunity to train in amongst his other career enhancing priorities. He and his Dad, who also works at Wellvene, are currently running well over 50km each week across differing terrains in both the city center and around the North East. The region’s impressive trail runs and scenic beach settings up and down the coast provide an ideal training spot underfoot.
They are also hoping to find a heat chamber in a bid to simulate the temperatures of the Sahara, something that the open air of Aberdeen can unfortunately not quite replicate.
Jayden added: “This challenge won’t be easy, but we’re determined to see it through. It’ll be the toughest thing either of us have done and those we’ve talked about it to have called us mad.
“But we’re feeling confident that we can pull through, even if it means battling extreme temperatures which will be one of the toughest things as we’re both born and bred Aberdonians!
“Walkoncemore is close to my heart so anything we can do to support them will make it all worth it."
Bronson said: “I’m beyond thrilled to tackle the Marathon Des Sables with my son Jayden, all for the Walkoncemore charity! This epic desert adventure is more than a challenge—it’s a chance to bond, push our limits, and support a cause we believe in. Every step with Jayden will be a step towards making a real difference.”
Jayden and Bronson will set off on the race from April 4 – April 14 2025. They will join around 1,200 other runners, including Russ Cook (AKA Hardest Geezer) who famously ran the length of Africa last year, in what is the race’s 39th edition.
To support them, you can donate via JustGiving: "The Larkins take on the toughest footrace on Earth in the Sahara desert!’