Brother and Ultra Athlete Raises £20K for UK Charities in Epic Marathon des Sables

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W Bro Ketan Jashapara writes…

 

London Mason, Father and Athlete

W Bro Arron Smyth is a member of Royal Athelstan Lodge No 19 (RA19). He was Initiated in 2007; Passed and Raised in 2019; and recently served as Worshipful Master from February ‘25 to February ‘26. He enjoyed his year as Worshipful Master. In his words, RA19 initially had many medics and brain specialists among its membership, and has since broadened and reinvigorated its varied ranks, thanks in particular to the contributions of Secretary W Bro Mark Butcher.

 

Arron is married with two children, 5 & 9 years old, and has business interests in the Minerals and Energy space. He has an ample sporting background in Rugby & Rowing: he was an Oarsman at the Henley Regatta QE Cup for Pangbourne College in his 5th, lower 6th and upper 6th years; and he played rugby in Henley, London and Cobham Rugby Club. He only stopped at the age of 39. That sporting heritage was about to be tested to its limits.

 

Charities and fund raising – £20k

Arron’s father died some 20 years ago from a brain tumour, which is one of the reasons he wanted to devote part of his charitable efforts to neuroscience and brain tumour research. He was also introduced to Freemasonry by a neurosurgeon, W Bro A-Hamid Huneidi, who Arron met when he was a trader in the City, and who is still a member of the Lodge.

 

His second charity, Parkinsons UK, was chosen after seeing the impact on a close friend as well as an immediate family member.

 

Arron exceeded his fundraising target of £10k, by raising some £15.6k through JustGiving and the rest through cash donations. Royal Athelstan also held a lunch in his honour and raised £2.5k towards his charities. Funds were equally split between the two charities.

 

The Marathon des Sables (MDS): 02-13 April 2026, billed as “The Toughest Foot Race on Earth”

For even accomplished runners, racing ultra marathons tends to be up to 100 miles. The MDS, at 270kms (167.8 miles) is a mighty achievement. 2026 represents the 40th Edition of the race. It is set in the Moroccan Sahara and comprises six stages: 32km; 40km; 32.2km; a grueling 100km across two days; 42.2km and a final 21.1km.

 

And here are some interesting statistics for the armchair enthusiasts: 60 nationalities have competed; the average age is a surprisingly mature 47 years old; more than 30% are walkers; 90% successfully finish; 27% are women; and the average pace is 5.2km per hour.

The 2026 race was the largest ever, with 1300 registered and 1200 starters. Only around 20,000 people over the past 40 years can say that they  have completed this extraordinary course.

 

Pre-race preparation

There is a rigorous selection process for MDS. Arron applied in the ballot in June 2025 and was only given late acceptance in November 2025 due to a cancellation. He essentially had 3 months to prepare. He puts his preparation down to rowing being a great foundation. He ran 60-100km per week and cycled 150km/week during his preparation. His weight dropped by 17kg by following a high-protein, low-carb diet and plenty of endurance exercise. In addition, he did strength and heat training during his 12-14 week window.

 

Prior to the race, he had to undergo significant medical checks – ECG, blood pressure etc. – and sign disclaimers. And he’s not the only one to earn respect for endurance: the toll was also significant on his family. During the training period, he would work all day, then run an 8-11pm torch run. At weekends, he would also run for 6-7 hours each day.

 

Here’s what Arron faced in the desert:

 

Physical Challenges

  • Climate: Heat acclimatation for temperatures of 40-50C – plus sandstorms!  
  • Weight: The race involves competitors carrying all their supplies (food & sleeping gear) on their backs. Apart from water, there is no replenishment for the duration. At night, temperatures would dip to just 3C.
  • Terrain: Everything from scaling big elevations to tackling hard pack riverbeds, shale and boulders. Plus wearing gaiters to halfway up the legs to stop sand getting into his shoes.
  • Diet: At the end of each stage, Arron had 2 protein shakes, Macadamia nuts, cashew nuts and freeze-dried meals; designed for light weight. He also enjoyed sugars from fruit pastilles and carb drinks. In the desert, he says he often did not want to eat.
  • Calorie deficit: During the race, competitors expend approximately 5000-6000 calories per day and consume only 2000; a massive calorie deprivation. He lost 4kg throughout the race.
  • Sleep deprivation: Competitors sleep in shared bivouacs at the end of the day. Unlike other ultra races, there is no allowance for a support team.
  • Medical challenges: Arron’s feet were lacerated at the toes and heel. He also fractured his metatarsal early on and had to slow down thereafter. He finished respectably mid-pack in the end; had he not damaged his bone, he could well have achieved his top 250 goal.

 

Mental Challenges

  • Tiredness, Hunger, Dehydration and Sandstorms: Arron entered the race with a friend with whom he played rugby. They shared the nightly bivouac with a team of Dutch tent-mates. Those friendships represent an essential support network, and Arron says he has made lifelong friendships along the way.
  • Family: During the race itself, there is no time for chat with children or family – probably a good thing, given the physical deprivations.

 

Through his business life, Arron has travelled to sub-Saharan Africa many times, where living is typically more basic than in the West. He says the race was an opportunity to refresh his perspective on getting back to basics: no phones, no sanitation. He reflects on how little we actually need to exist: the simplicity of life on the edge. He misses the simplicity of the desert today and is eager to race the desert again, feeling that we can do without life’s modern indulgences.

 

Arron has proudly framed his finisher’s medal and bib number.  He also received a finisher’s trophy and t-shirt. And next time? He says he would probably incorporate more hiking and climbing into his preparation…

 

 


This article is part of Arena Magazine Issue 61 – Summer 2026.
Arena Magazine is the official online magazine of the London Freemasons – Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.

Read more articles in Arena Issue 61 here.

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