Darren, Matt, & Arron faced the wild conditions of Peru in a 260 kilometre ultramarathon through Manu National Park, starting high in the Andes and descending into the rainforest. Racing independently, the trio endured five days of intense effort, with daytime temperatures reaching 30°C and humidity sapping their strength. Each carried their own food, water, and gear, adding to the exhaustion as they navigated steep, slippery terrain, river crossings, and dense jungle. Nights were spent in hammocks at remote checkpoints, with the ever-present risks of snakes, biting insects that pierced clothing, and jaguars.

Darren began the race still recovering from altitude sickness, which compounded the strain of the first two days. The course began in the cloud forest and finished in Pilcopata, Peru, with the team’s endurance tested at every stage. A critical moment came when Darren slipped off a narrow cliff edge, saved only by clinging to a tree branch until Arron could pull him to safety, an incident that could have ended in tragedy. Despite these hardships, the team pressed on, driven by the mission to support Great Ormond Street Hospital and give hope to children and families facing their most uncertain moments in life.