Two deaths within the path operating world over the previous week have left communities in mourning. On Wednesday, April 8, a runner recognized solely as Gregory 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.Ok. died whereas making an attempt a quickest identified 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 offers water and sleeping shelters every night time at race bivouacs. Racers should cross 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 keeping with 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 shortly evacuated to a hospital in a neighborhood city referred to as Errachidia, he handed away a number of days later.
The race group launched an announcement which learn, partly: “This occasion has deeply affected the complete Marathon des Sables neighborhood, 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.Ok. Royal Marine, was making an attempt 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 pal and fellow Royal Marine Luke Eirewho died of hypothermia whereas mountain operating in 2014. On his fundraising web pageDavid wrote extremely of the Scottish Mountain Rescue workforce and famous the invaluable companies the volunteer-based group offers to the mountain neighborhood.
The Cape Wrath Path extends from Fort Williams within the south to the Cape Wrath lighthouse within the north, and David was acquainted with the route, having received the 2023 Cape Wrath Extremelyan 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 night time throughout a search led by volunteers from the Kintail Mountain Rescue Staff, which is represented by the Scottish Mountain Rescue group.
A written assertion from the Kintail Mountain Rescue Staff stated, “Our ideas are with David’s household and associates 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.
