A Dubai transportation engineer has run one of the toughest trails in the UK to raise funds for Wales Air Ambulance.
Matthew May, originally from Tenby, Pembrokeshire and now living in Dubai covered a gruelling 56-kilometres during the Ultra Trail Snowdonia on Yr Wyddfa, Wales’ highest mountain.
The 30-year-old has spent the past six years working in the United Arab Emirates, but his roots remain firmly in Wales.
Matt said: “Growing up in West Wales, I spent a lot of time sailing, so I saw the helicopter called out multiple times, a memorable experience.
“I still have family in the region and my father works for the charity as a Regional Fundraising Manager, so wanted to do something to support the service.”
He continued: “Wales is such a beautiful but a difficult country to get around. Largely rural with a diverse landscape, the Wales Air Ambulance is essential!
“I could see that when I was running through Snowdonia National Park, if anything happens to you when you are in an isolated spot, you really want the helicopter to bring the medics to you as fast as possible.”
The Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury.
It is delivered via a unique third sector and public sector partnership. The Wales Air Ambulance Charity relies on public donations to raise the £11.2 million required every year to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.
The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the Charity’s vehicles.
This advanced critical care includes the ability to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions and conduct minor operations, all at the scene of an incident.
As a pan-Wales service, its dedicated crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency lifesaving care.
Matt has visited the service’s base in Dafen and described the visit as ‘fascinating and inspiring.” He got to meet the crew and learn about the work they do.
He said: “It really brought home why it is important to fundraise for the Charity; they help thousands of people each year and save lives.”
On 17 May 2025, Matt joined a close friend and his all-important support crew for the Ultra Trail Snowdonia.
He said: “There were originally four of us who signed up to do the event, but unfortunately two got injured.
“So, it ended up being me and Harry Beck. I covered the full 56-kilometres, Harry completed the 25-kilometre event.”
Matt has always had a deep connection with running, his journey began with cross country races back in school and nearly a decade ago, he completed the Cardiff Half Marathon, a milestone that sparked bigger and greater challenges such as the Ultra Trail Snowdonia.
Now, he leads his own Dubai based trail running group called Jebel Endurance, (@Jebel_Endurance) Jebel meaning mountain in Arabic. Matt guides runners into the UAE mountains every weekend to explore some of the region’s most scenic trails.
He said: “It started out casually, but we’ve grown into a real community, running with others in the mountains gives you so much clarity. It’s the best place with the fast-paced life of Dubai.”
You can follow Matt’s journey on Instagram at @matt_johnm and discover the trails he leads through @jebel_endurance on Instagram and YouTube.
He said: “I wanted to try more adventurous, harder challenges and it’s taken me months to build up to the Snowdonia ultra.
“With over 3,000 metres elevation, it’s not the easiest trail to cover and took around just under thirteen hours to complete,”
He continued: “There were three checkpoints along the course that you had to reach within strict time limits.
“I was buzzing to see my crew, Kirk, Medya, Harry, Raife, and Ellie out on the course. It really meant a lot that they took the time to be there and support.
“At the six-hour mark, I met my father. That was a huge boost. I was tired by then, he helped me refill my bottles, sort out my nutrition, and mentally reset for the second half of the race.
“These types of races are more just runs; they are full of adventures. You must carry all the right gear, emergency kit and the proper nutrition. Anything can happen up there.
“It really is a different ball game as anyone who has been up there knows, it can be very slippery and dangerous, so you use your hands a lot too.”
When asked what the biggest challenge was, Matt added: “I’d say this kind of challenge is more than 50% mental toughness.
“Your mind is telling you many things when you spend hours on your feet. ‘Why are you doing this? You should stop’. But you push through. you keep saying ‘You’re nearly there’.
“It was one of the hardest things I have ever done. It demanded a lot of mental and physical strength, but I absolutely loved taking in the beautiful scenery.”
Matthew May, Harry Beck, Kirk Lester, and Raife Gaskall have raised just over £300 for the Wales Air Ambulance.
Elaine Orr, Regional Fundraising Manager for North West Wales said: “We are hugely grateful to Matt and Harry for taking part in the Ultra Trail Snowdonia in aid of our service.
“It was no easy feat, and we are delighted everyone completed their distances in time.
“It sounds like it was a wonderful reunion for Matt and his family and friends and helped raise funds for our Charity too.
“Our supporters are incredible, we really couldn’t do what we do without them, through their fundraising, they help us save thousands of lives each year.
“Diolch yn fawr!”
