2025 will see a new MDS event, the MDS RAID NAMIBIA.
This event will bring something unique and special to the MDS portfolio and certainly, it will be an event for the more experienced participant.
Unlike other MDS events that offer 70, 100 or 120km route options over 3-stages in 4-days, RAID will offer just one distance, somewhere between 100-120km distance over 3-stages and 4-days. Importantly, there will be no ‘rest day,’ and on the 2nd stage there will be no return to bivouac, instead, there will be a ‘star night’ which will see the runner’s sleep in the middle of the dunes.
For safety, this will not be a solo event. Runner’s will complete in pairs, rest assured, if you enter solo, you will be paired with another participant.
Adding to the RAID concept, there will be no classic checkpoints, just water stations. Route marking will be minimal and therefore this will place more emphasis on the participants to be autonomous and confident.
For edition one, just 80-participants (40 teams of 2), will toe the line.
While this level of autonomy will not appeal to some, the sense of adventure will most definitely appeal to many. Without doubt, this is a hark back to how the original Marathon des Sables concept was created.
The race format will be as follows:
Stage 1 25 to 30km.
Stage 2 will be 45 to 55km’s, however, this distance will be split with an overnight star night. After the sleep, the remaining distance will completed on day 3 returning to bivouac. Typically, for MDS events, this day would be a complete rest day.
Stage 3 will be 25 to 30km.
Time limits will be based on 3km per hour.
Entries open December 11th 2024 at midday CET.
SCHEDULE
- Participants will arrive in Windhoek Saturday April 26th, night in a hotel.
- Technical checks and briefing April 27th, night in a hotel.
- Stage 1 April 28th with bivouac night.
- Stage 2 part 1 April 29th with star night.
- Stage 2 part 2 April 30th with bivouac night.
- Stage 3 May 1st and then overnight in hotel
- Free day in Swakopmund and then awards/ gala dinner May 2nd
- Transfer to Windhoek May 3rd and onward travel
NAMIB and the RAID
The oldest and driest desert in the world, the Namib is the perfect destination for the RAID concept. With dunes over 300m high, this environment is one of the most impressive in the world. Known for incredible diversity, intense heat, strong winds, demanding terrain, flora and fauna, RAID will be a unique challenge. An ability to move well in soft sand will be an integral part of the challenge, needless to say, gaiters will be an essential item. Add self-sufficiency, a star night, minimal marking and just water stations, RAID is going to be something very special.
What is the MDS?
The MARATHON DES SABLES is a unique adventure, shared by thousands of enthusiasts since 1986.
To differentiate the full distance race of 250km’s, Marathon des Sables will now be known at MDS The Legendary, reflecting the legendary status of this iconic event and its long history as a pioneer of the stage racing and multi-day format.
The ‘HMDS’ format whill still follow the same protocols as before but has now dropped the ‘half’ title and moving forward, events will be called MDS Jordan, MDS Morocco, MDS Cappadocia and so on.
The MDS events are a one-week sporting adventure that combines the discovery, travel, meeting new people and physically challenging yourself in a self-sufficient manner.
Read MDS THE ULTIMATE GUIDE 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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