Stage 1 of the 2024 MDS Fuerteventura got underway today, 33.6km and 444m+

It was a 90-minute drive from Play Itas Resort to the northern coastal location of Manjanicho Beach. 

A day that offered a little of everything, starting and concluding next to the ocean, the track was mad up mostly of gravel/sand path, approximately 20% soft-sand and just a tiny amount of road crossings.

Wind was present throughout the day, making the highest temperature of 28-degrees feel manageable. 

With 300 participants and record 58% women, the 6^th edition of MDS Fuerteventura was highly anticipated.

The race upfront was dominated by Juan SANTANA FERNÁNDEZ, ROGER PÉREZ and FOULQUIÉ PADILLA, the trio setting an incredible pace in the 120km race, with SANTANA FERNÁNDEZ taking the victory ahead of ROGER PÉREZ and FOULQUIÉ PADILLA placing 3^rd, 2:32:18, 2:33:48 and 2:34:15 respectively.

For the women, MUJICA GONZÁLEZ ran the race solo for a time trial effort and victory in 3:37:37. Behind, BOLLENGIER, and DEL RIO VALLES ran a close race for 2^nd, the duo crossing in 3:52:50 and 3:53:10 respectively.

It is important to remember, MDS events offer 3-distances, 120km, 100km and 70km, stage 1 is the same for all races and then the difference comes on stage 2 when participants for MDS Fuerteventura will choose which loop to run, option 1 17.8km, option 2 40.5km and option 3 56.7km.

Bivouac remains the same for each stage, the final stage (stage 3) the exception when the finish line brings an nd to the race and the participants return to Play Itas Resort.

With stage 1 being a longer first day, we may well see participants change options for stage 2, if they considered day 1 a little hard, they may well choose an easier option for stage 2, the choice is for them.

Stage 2 starts at 0600 and based on the distance chosen, the cut-off times for finishing will vary, midday for the short race, 1910 for the middle distance and for the long, 12:50am the following day.

Gladly for the participants, they will then have a rest day.

Results here

Marathon des Sables website HERE

Since 1986, the MARATHON DES SABLES has crossed the world’s most stunning deserts with several unique concepts: the MARATHON DES SABLES THE LEGENDARY (252 km in the Sahara Desert in Morocco), the MARATHON DES SABLES (70, 100, or 120 km spread over 3 stages), and the new 2024 concept, the MDS TREK (4 stages with a total distance of up to 120 km), offering an accessible adventure with optimal comfort. These international events have seen over 50 editions in various countries such as Morocco, Fuerteventura Island, Peru, Jordan, Turkey, and offer adventures that combine running/hiking in the desert with tourism.

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