Ex-England international to tackle 'toughest footrace on earth' for MND

Twice-capped former England hooker Andy Long is preparing to take on one of the world’s toughest endurance events – the Marathon des Sables, as he aims to raise £75,000 for motor neurone disease charity Challenging MND.

Long, who played professionally for Bath, Munster, Rotherham, Newcastle and Northampton, will embark on the 270km, ultramarathon across the Sahara Desert next month, drawing on his experience as a performance coach that specialises in resilience and mindset.

The 48-year-old had a few bumps in the road in his playing days – he took being taken off at half-time in his England debut against Australia in 1997 particularly hard – but this venture promises to test his mental and physical resolve like no other.

Long’s commitment to challenging MND was strengthened in 2025, when he competed in the TCS London Marathon while pushing the charity’s founder Alex Gibson in a wheelchair, an experience that had a profound and lasting impact.

“Elite sport teaches you how to confront adversity, but nothing compares to what people living with MND face every day,” said Long.

Often described as ‘the toughest footrace on earth’, the Marathon des Sables takes place over six days, covering approximately 270km in temperatures that can exceed 45°C. Competitors must carry all their own food and equipment while navigating the unforgiving terrain of the Sahara Desert.

“My work now centres on resilience, mindset and peak performance, and this is about putting those principles into action for something that truly matters,” he added.

“We’re aiming to raise £75,000 – funds that will directly support families who need help right now.”

Donations to support Andy’s Marathon des Sables campaign and the work of Challenging MND can be made HERE.