Trailwalker 2025 – a Mighty Success!
It’s hard to believe that just over a month ago we were cheering our Trailwalker finishers across the line at Brighton Racecourse! The event has been a huge success, and we are grateful to everyone who took on the 100km challenge and put so much effort into their fundraising.
A huge boost to our work
This year our Trailwalkers raised an incredible £216,600, a vital contribution to our work supporting Gurkha veterans and their communities in Nepal.
“Trailwalker 2025 saw over 1,000 participants tackle the tough 100km course across the South Downs. The views may be beautiful, but the high winds this year made the journey even harder for many of our teams. Each year I am humbled by the dedication, resilience and teamwork that all our Trailwalkers demonstrate – from their incredible fundraising efforts in the lead up to the event, to their determination to keep going through the night. Watching all the successful teams arrive is always such a privilege – whether it’s the speediest runners on Saturday or the hardiest walkers on Sunday, they are all so deserving of their medals and Gurkha curry!
None of it would be possible without the incredible support from The Queen’s Gurkha Signals and our army of volunteers, for which I am hugely grateful. After a little breather over the last couple of weeks, we’re already looking ahead to 2026 and can’t wait to welcome next year’s teams!”
– Keta Forde, Event Director
We also extend our thanks to our lovely volunteer photographers who were out and about across the course, capturing the true spirit of Trailwalker. Images kindly supplied by Seven Sisters Camera Club, Sarah Harber, Tom Ballard, Vincent Knight and members of Southwick Camera Club.
Our Trailwalker Heroes
Over the weekend we heard so many inspiring stories from participants; although we only have space to feature a few, all our participants are genuine Trailwalker Heroes!
Trailwalker’s youngest ever participant
A milestone this year for Phoebe from team “Be the Foot” as she became the youngest person ever to tackle Trailwalker! Phoebe’s father Dan has completed Trailwalker every year since 2019, and in his first year, as a 12-year-old, Phoebe said it was her dream to compete when she was 18. For the subsequent years, Phoebe and mother, Victoria, were support crew, but she never lost sight of her dream. Victoria told us, “With our friends, Sarah and Emma, we made it happen for her this year as Phoebe turned 18 on the day of registration! Dan, along with another Trailwalker survivor, Sue, became our wonderful support crew. I am so proud of her achievement (and our timings!) Each year, around November time, the walkers and support crew meet up for a celebratory meal at the Gurkha Restaurant in Abergavenny. Already, there are plans for Dan and Phoebe to make a team to go sub-20 hours in 2026. For me, I’ll go back to support crew!”
Top Team Mad Momo
Every year we select our favourite team name, and this year “Mad Momo” caught our eye. With a catchy logo, endless enthusiasm and determination, team members Sudan, Peter, Dipak and Saahas seemed to enjoy every moment! They succeeded in their aim of finishing in under 30 hours, and smashed their fundraising target, raising over £5,000 in sponsorship. The team were met at the finish by sponsor Michael who told us his story. Michael met up with the team by chance on a forest walk, and was so inspired by them that he decided to sponsor them. Overcome by emotion, Michael explained, “These are the most wonderful fellows. One of the reasons I’m doing this is my father fought with the Gurkhas in the Second World War in Burma. He’s now gone… but being at this wonderful event is in his memory.”
Walking to honour the Gurkhas
Deoman, Som, Purnima and Amrit made up the team from EG Pharmacy, which serves the Nepali community around Farnborough. All the team members are proud sons and daughters of Gurkha soldiers and they say this walk is not just a test of endurance – it is a tribute.
“We walk to honour the bravery and sacrifice of the Gurkhas soldiers who gave their all, so that we, their children, could live in freedom, dignity, and hope. Everything we are today is built on the foundation of their silent strength and selfless service. Their legacy is written in sweat, blood, and service. This is our way of saying:
Lest We Forget. Together, let’s walk for honour. Let’s walk for health. Let’s walk for the Gurkhas.”
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