SCC’s Manchester-based ultra-athlete Alex Welch has claimed victory in the 2025 Beyond the Ultimate Desert Ultra – a five- day, 250km race across the ancient Namib Desert, one of the world’s most extreme endurance environments.
Welch works as a Senior Cyber Security Sales Specialist at SCC, which continues to support his ultra-running journey through sponsorship, specialist kit and workplace flexibility. In addition to his extraordinary performance in Namibia where he won the race and set a new course record, he became the youngest-ever winner of the Beyond the Ultimate Arctic Ultra in 2025 and also secured a podium finish in the Mountain Ultra in Kyrgyzstan.
The Ultimate Desert Ultra race saw Welch, 29, overcome punishing daytime temperatures peaking between 53-58°C and near-freezing nights. Across five stages – 50km, 50km, 42km, 22km and a brutal 92km final day – athletes were required to be completely self-sufficient, carrying all food, supplies and mandatory equipment for the full week.
The field included elite female competitors and a highly ranked Italian mountain runner, making his achievement even more remarkable. He said: “Namibia was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. The heat was on another level and every stage demanded absolute focus. To come away with the win – and a course record – is overwhelming.
After the Arctic and Kyrgyzstan, this was the challenge I had been building towards all season. I’m grateful for everyone who has supported me, particularly my colleagues at SCC who have backed me every step of the way.” Adam Clark, Chief Revenue Officer at SCC added: “Alex continues to embrace extraordinary challenges. Following his success in the Arctic and a podium finish in Kyrgyzstan, he has now triumphed in one of the world’s most demanding environments – Namibia.
His exceptional discipline, resilience and ambition exemplify the spirit of SCC, and we are incredibly proud to support him throughout this remarkable endeavour.”
