Marathon des Sables – The Legendary : 2025 DATES ANNOUNCED

Following on from the success of the 38^th (2024) edition of Marathon des Sables – The Legendary (summary here), today the dates for 2025 are announced:

April 4^th to 14^th 2025.

Will Rachid return in 2025 for an 11th title?

The timings will be as follows:

Apr 4 – Arrival in Morocco and meet in Ouarzazate for onward transfer to B1.
Apr 5 – Admin day.
Apr 6 – Stage 1
Apr 7 – Stage 2
Apr 8 – Stage 3 *
Apr 9 – Stage 3 continuation or rest day *
Apr 10 – Stage 4
Apr 11 – Stage 5
Apr 12 – Stage 6 and onward travel to Ouarzazate
Apr 13 – Free Day and Gala Evening Presentation
Apr 14 – Onward travel

* Based on ‘the long day’ coming on stage 3.

Currently, it is not possible to register for 2025, but entry will open on JUNE 19th 2024.

These are exciting times for the MDS brand and it is highly anticipated that entries for 2025 will flood in after the success of the most recent event which concluded just weeks ago.

WHAT IS NEW?

PRICE

Well, first of all, the price. For 2025 there will be no additional price for UK entrants. In past years, UK entrants have paid an increased price due to staying at the Berbere Palace Hotel. This hotel will now be an ‘upgrade package’ which will bring a smile to many a UK entrant, for multiple reasons.

PRICE FOR THE FIRST 500:

€3,690/person

and €3,890/person later.

THE UPGRADE PACKAGE with Berbere Palace Hotel

€4,090/person for the first 500

and €4,290/person later.

Both offers are available to everyone, regardless of their country of residence.

NO CHARTER FLIGHTS FOR 2025

The meeting point will be in Ouarzazate on Friday morning, April 4, 2025.

Ouarzazate airport
Fly to Ouarzazate before the race and spend one or more nights in a hotel at your expense.

Marrakech airport
Fly to Marrakech the days before the race and go by *shuttle to Ouarzazate.

*Shuttles will be organized on the morning of April 2 and 3, 2025, between Marrakech and Ouarzazate (5-hour journey).

Timetable for the Marrakech / Ouarzazate shuttles on April 2 and 3 :
07:00 am: From the center of Marrakech (meeting point at the Kenzi Rose Garden hotel).
10:00 am: From Marrakech airport.
12:00 pm: From Marrakech airport.

The return trip at the end of the MDS follows the same logic.

If you wish, you can take advantage of the bus service provided between Ouarzazate and Marrakech. These buses will leave Ouarzazate at 06:00 am on April 14, so you’ll need to book a return flight from Marrakech after 2:00 pm.

THE EVENT

Will remain similar to the 2024 38th edition and in summary:

The total distance of the MDS The Legendary will be about 250km’s, divided into 6-stages. The exact route and distances are given at the latest in the road book which is distributed in Morocco on arrival and transfer to bivouac 1.

Self-autonomy (food) is required from immediate arrival at B1 and then race self-autonomy starts at the beginning of stage 1.

The 2024 edition was as follows:

Stage 1: 31,1 km
Stage 2: 40,8 km
Stage 3: 85,3 km (the 3rd stage takes place on 2 days)
Stage 4: 43,1 km
Stage 5: 31,4 km
Stage 6: 21,1 km

CP’s with water and iced water to cool the runner.

The MARATHON DES SABLES – The Legendary is a self-sufficient adventure. Competitors must carry all their equipment and food, except the water and the tent. Check-points are located approximately every10 km. Post stage, participants receive a water ration when arriving to the bivouac, for the evening and the morning.

REGISTRATION OPENS JUNE 19TH HERE

Experience the magic of Morocco and the Sahara.

NEW CANCELLATION POLICY

Have peace of mind and benefit from free postponement insurance up to 7 days before the event, included in your registration.

A mythical crossing of the desert, 11 days of adventure in Morocco, including 9 days in the desert, a course of about 250 km divided into 6-stages, to be done by walking or running.