Liberty Leasing duo to tackle Marathon des Sables Legendary 2026

Liberty Leasing’s Dan Randall and Ed Ockleford are set to swap the office for the Sahara as they prepare to take on one of the world’s toughest endurance challenges in support of a local children’s charity.

Dan Randall and Ed Ockleford will travel to Morocco on 3 April to compete in the Marathon des Sables (MDS) Legendary 2026, with the race beginning on 5 April. Over seven gruelling days, the pair will cover an extraordinary 250 kilometres across the Sahara Desert, battling searing daytime temperatures that can reach 45°C and near-freezing conditions after sunset.

Known as the “toughest footrace on Earth”, the Marathon des Sables is famed for both its intensity and its self-sufficient format.

Participants must carry all their food, clothing and equipment on their backs for the duration of the race, navigating vast dunes and unforgiving terrain with minimal support.

While both Dan and Ed have competed in trail and ultra-distance events in recent years, the MDS Legendary will be their most demanding challenge yet. This year’s race also marks the event’s 40th edition – a milestone that holds particular significance for Ed, who will celebrate his own 40th birthday while out in the dunes.

The duo are undertaking the challenge in aid of Sophie’s Legacy, Liberty Leasing’s Charity of the Year. The Fareham-based charity was founded in memory of Sophie Fairall, who was diagnosed with the rare childhood cancer rhabdomyosarcoma at just nine years old and tragically passed away a year later.

Sophie’s Legacy works to improve the hospital experience for children and their families across 12 hospitals and 40 wards along the south coast. Its initiatives range from ensuring parents are fed during long hospital stays and supporting play specialists, to enhancing healthcare training to better recognise the signs of childhood cancer. The charity also campaigns nationally for vital research into childhood cancer.

Ed Ockleford, Head of Technology at Liberty Leasing, said:

“I’m proud – and slightly nervous – to be taking on the MDS Legendary with Dan this April in support of our Charity of the Year, Sophie’s Legacy. We’re doing this to support a charity that is making a real difference closer to home… Let’s do this!”

Supporters can contribute to the team’s fundraising efforts via their JustGiving page:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/traversing-the-sahara-for-sophies-legacy