Ultra-legend Ryan Sandes on resilience and ‘running for those who can’t’

Ryan Sandes is a renowned South African ultra-distance trail runner, famous for being the first athlete to win all four races in the "4 Deserts" series. A member of the Salomon Running team, he has won major international races—including the prestigious Western States 100—and set multiple Fastest Known Times (FKTs), most notably on the Great Himalaya Trail.

Recently, Sandes completed one of the most brutal endurance challenges on the planet: the Marathon des Sables (MDS) in Morocco. Widely regarded as the world’s toughest race, the MDS is a 270 km stage race that recently celebrated its 40th edition.

The Red Bull athlete spoke with Eyewitness News about his return to the sands where his journey began.

“I started my career 19 years ago doing self-supported desert races. Being at the tail end of the racing side of my career, I was keen to go full circle and give the Marathon des Sables a go,” Sandes said. “It’s such an iconic race. It was really cool to go back and see how the sport has evolved. Seeing 1,600 runners there was incredible; it’s a massive event.”

The ultra-distance legend highlighted the unique hardships of self-supported racing, which include severe sleep deprivation (averaging 4–5 hours per night), harsh desert elements, and the necessity of carrying minimal gear.

“The experience itself was challenging,” Sandes noted. “Being self-supported for seven days means dealing with all the elements. You’re sleeping in eight-man traditional Moroccan tents in a large compound. They are quite open, so the sand blows through them. Because you’re carrying everything, you go as light as possible. I didn’t even take a sleeping mat, so you’re sleeping on fine rocks. Your sleep is not great, but experiencing those conditions again was pretty cool.”

Despite battling ankle issues and fierce sandstorms, Sandes finished the gruelling race in fifth place. He emphasised that mental resilience and the camaraderie among the 1,600 participants were key to his success.

Sandes’ career is defined by historic feats. In 2017, he won the Western States 100, the world’s oldest 100-mile race. In early 2018, he and teammate Ryno Griesel set a staggering trail record on the Great Himalaya Trail in Nepal. They covered 1,435 km in just 25 days, 4 hours, and 24 minutes—climbing a total of 63,721 meters in elevation, the equivalent of summiting Mount Everest 7.5 times.

Reflecting on the simplicity of trail life, Sandes remarked: “It’s quite liberating. There’s a certain freedom in it. You go into the race wondering, ‘Do I need this? Do I need that?’ Eventually, when it doesn't fit or it’s too heavy, you just strip everything away. When you come home, you appreciate the luxuries a little bit more.”

Sandes is now preparing for the Wings for Life World Run, an event he describes as a personal highlight. The race raises funds for spinal cord injury research, a cause that resonates deeply with the athlete.

“The sport of running has taken me on a life-changing journey,” Sandes said. “I won’t be competing for the rest of my life, but I can’t imagine a day without putting on my shoes and going for a run or a hike. To be able to move on my own two feet is a gift. Running for those who can’t, and for a bigger cause, is just so cool. It’s an incredible opportunity to give back.”