What training have you been doing for this – how long for and what does it involve?
I have spent about 18 months training for MDS, and the training has increased in the last couple of months before I tapper towards race day. A huge milestone within my training was completing the Isle of Wight Challenge in May 2025. This was 110km in 18hrs.
I’ve been working on lots of strength training in general but there has been a focus on legs and posterior chain (all the muscles down the back of the body). I have been doing a fair amount of long-distance running, and half marathon length runs are now fairly standard! But I don’t train every day as resting is an important part of the process.
Lots of long walks in hilly terrain like the Purbecks and Dartmoor carrying weight have been quite important too.
In October 2025, I did a four day ‘Minithon Des Sables’ so that I could practice a multistage event and this taught me a lot. On day one I covered 16km on Chesil Beach, day two was 26km on Bournemouth Beach, day three was 52km over the Purbecks and then the final day was 21km around the hills of North Dorset. I treated it like the real MDS as much as possible, so I carried all of my kit for the entire four days and my rucksack got lighter as the week went on. It wasn’t the same conditions or landscape by any means but it was a great learning experience.
How are you preparing for doing this in such extreme temperatures?
I’m undertaking a programme of heat acclimation (different to acclimatisation), where exposure to high temperatures like saunas (30mins – an hr) after vigorous exercise get the body to start adapting to working at such high temperatures.
What is the most challenging part of your training so far?
The heat acclimation is the toughest part so far for sure. The distances for MDS aren’t necessarily what makes it one of the toughest, it’s the temperatures you’re working that makes it very tough, along with the self-sufficiency of it all and the weeklong nature of it.
Are you taking any luxury items with you to the camp?
Not really as there isn’t any space for any. I’m taking a small power bank for my phone so I can take photos during the week (there is no reception at all – which is fine by me!) and I am taking some headphones that I might use, particularly during the 100km long stage. I am taking a couple of treats for each day though, so I have a coffee bag to start the day with and a little bag of ‘Millions’ to end the day with. Nothing dreadfully exciting but little morale boosts.
What does your backpack weigh and have you had to leave something out that you wanted to take?
Currently (and without water) my starting day one weight is around 12kg, which is at the upper level of weight scale. I’ve made sure that I’ve got enough stuff to be well provisioned and so that I can enjoy it more rather than just survive it. I’d like to take a book for when we are in camp but unfortunately that’s not making the cut.
How will you stay motivated?
Each day is a different challenge so that I’m not running 270km in one go. On day one I’m just running 32km, then the next day will be a slightly different run and so on. The biggest thing is to remember why I am doing it. If we understand the why then we can endure the how.
How do you feel about sleeping in the desert?
I’m fine with the prospect! (I may regret that statement).
What are you most excited about?
Two things - the awesome landscapes and crossing the finishing line. I’ve thought about not much else than MDS for about 6 months now.
What are you most dreading?
Camel spiders… (Google them!)
How are you mentally preparing for such a gruelling challenge?
Lots of research because I believe knowledge dispels fear. I’ve read everything I can about it from as many different sources (I’m wanting to write my own book on it all afterwards with the proceeds going to Combat Stress and BAD Co.). There are also some really good MDS accounts on YouTube which have been really valuable sources of information.
How will you celebrate when you’re back home?
A couple of weeks off from training to let my body recover and a weekend away with my wife who has somewhat become an MDS widow during my training!
Do you think you will do this again or is this a bucket list item?
I think this is a once in a lifetime sort of thing for me. The training and preparation have been transformative, and it has been amazing as much as it has been challenging. But this is a one-time thing. I will definitely look towards a new challenge though.
Who would be your dream running partner throughout history?
That’s a really tough one. It would have to be either Mo Farrah (his gold medal win on Super Saturday of The London 2012 Olympics still gets me excited if I watch it) or Eliud Kipchoge (such an awesome runner, he broke the 2hr marathon barrier, and he seems like a wonderful person).
How long have you worked with the CCF for?
I’ve been a CFAV for 20 years, 16 of which have been at The Thomas Hardye School CCF, and I’ve spent nine of these years in Command. I have also been the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Officer and the OC within the Army section at The Thomas Hardyes School, and an Army Cadet Force (ACF) CFAV with Dorset ACF and Bristol ACF.
What made you want to work with the CCF?
I was an ACF cadet in Hampshire and Isle of Wight ACF and it gave me so much that I wanted to give something back. The cadet forces are such strong organisations and strive for change and it’s wonderful to see so many people get so much out of what they offer.
What is the most rewarding part of leading a CCF contingent?
The growth that we see in the cadets is incredibly rewarding to witness and life changing for the cadets. For instance, I have one ex cadet who was incredibly timid when she joined the CCF but now is a Royal Navy medic who competes in the Skeleton Winter Sports Races for the Royal Navy. That’s just one of many cases where the CCF has been the main driving force of personal growth in young people.
What has been a particular highlight for you whilst working for the CCF?
There have been so many highlights it’s hard to narrow it down! A few particular highlights that standout are the charity events that we have ran. For instance, a few years ago we did a charity event for Smile 4 Wessex which provides vital funds for the neurological ward at Southampton General Hospital. We chose this charity after one of my CFAVs became very ill and we wanted to give something back as a thank you for everything the hospital did. The event involved 27 cadets and eight CFAVs running, jogging or walking two miles, every two hours for 24 hours. It was incredibly hard work, especially through the night serials (2am and 4am were particularly challenging!) and the distance we covered was enormous but everyone who started it completed it and saw it through to the end.
Another highlight was when our contingent participated in Combat Stress’ March in March. The event saw 30 cadets and CFAVs march together, raising over £4,000 for a very important military charity.
How does the CCF work around your career?
The CCF is fully integrated into my day job as a teacher at The Thomas Hardyes School. The CCF is a major part of everyday school life – for example we have specific ties for those students that have made a substantial and sustained impact to the CCF.
What advice would you give for anyone looking to volunteer for the CCF in the future?
Do it! It facilitates a huge amount of personal growth and development, of both yourself, and young people, but be ready for the challenges, especially if you take on a leadership position where you lead CFAVs as well as cadets. But it is so worthwhile too – it’s a challenge but in a good way!
Thank you, Major Matthews, we wish you the best of luck in your race – everyone at CCF will be cheering you on!
