A 68-year-old man dies during a special forces-inspired event on a Welsh mountain – National
A 68-year-old man has died while taking part in a high-profile endurance event in South Wales, Pen y Fan, according to police.
Emergency services were called to Pen y Fan in Bannau Brycheiniog National Park on Saturday, the BBC reported.
The man was taking part in the 24km Fan Dance event when complaints were raised about his welfare, Dyfed-Powys Police Department said in a statement.
“The police accompanied the Mountain Rescue and the Ambulance. Sadly, the 68-year-old man died. His relatives know and his death is not suspicious,” said the police.
Global News contacted Dyfed-Powys Police Department for further comment, but did not receive a response.
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Race promoter, Avalanche Endurance Events (AEE), describes the fan dance event as “a grueling 24km SAS Selection test march” “used as the first major indicator that a candidate has the physical and mental ability to complete the famous Selection course.”
In a statement on Facebook, AEE's March Director Ken Jones wrote, “This message is to share the news that AEE has experienced an accident during the Fan Dance Race Series event on Saturday 4th July 2026.”
“Right now our focus and thoughts are with the family, therefore, AEE, and I as March Director will not issue any press release until the family has a full timeline of events and approves any additional messages. Our team is working on this at the time of posting,” added Jones.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the Air Ambulance Service, the Brecon Mountain Rescue Team, and the AEE Mountain Safety team for their quick and professional response. Also, thanks to the event organizers whose professional skills and responsiveness helped us manage this important event,” the post concluded.
AEE said the Fan Dance event “has historically been an integral part of the British SAS Selection curriculum which was first introduced as a key test in the decade following the Second World War,” according to the website.
“The Fan Dance Race Selection Series UK was originally established by AEE as a training and screening method for candidates wishing to enter the elite branches of the British military, namely the Paratroopers, Royal Marines Commandos and SAS & SBS,” AEE wrote.
The original AEE Dance for UK Fans takes place twice a year with a summer and winter schedule in January and July, according to the website.
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