MDS Atlantic Coast and MDS Raid Namibia 2026 Announcement

Posted on June 7, 2025 by talkultra

MDS has never been just a race. It’s a full-body, full-heart experience. In 2026, following on from first editions in 2025, MDS Atlantic Coast and MDS Raid Namibia return for 2026. If you’re looking for adventure with meaning, either one could be the race of your life, registration opens June 18 2025.

MDS Atlantic Coast 2026 – Morocco’s Untamed Shoreline

This isn’t your typical desert run. MDS Atlantic Coast cuts through a rugged, wind-carved stretch of Morocco, where the Atlantic and dunes meet with force. Raw and exposed, this region of Morocco is a place where the elements are alive and always in motion.

The route spans beaches, a rollercoaster of sand, and coastal dunes. Sweeping ocean views and the pulse of open nature. The terrain shifts fast: soft sand, hard-packed trail, technical descents. You’ll run through untouched coastline where the horizon feels infinite.

What makes it special? The contrast. The wild energy of the Atlantic meeting the quiet resolve of the desert. It’s Morocco, but different, fresher, rougher, windswept. A race built for runners who crave variety and the edge of the map.

The event will take place January 24th to 30th 2026. The format will offer 70km, 100km or 120km’s over 4-days and 3-stages.

MDS Raid Namibia 2026 – Stillness. Vastness. Silence.

Then there’s the magic of Namibia, a race that doesn’t just test your endurance, it rewires your sense of scale. You run through the Namib Desert, the oldest on Earth, where everything feels ancient, vast, and impossibly quiet.

Read about the 2025 MDS Atlantic Coast HERE

Here, the dunes don’t just rise, they tower. Temperatures swing fast. The sand swallows every sound. You’ll face long stretches with no sign of human life, just you, your breath, and the endless desert.

Raid Namibia is all about extremes: isolation, heat, and beauty so intense it’s almost surreal. You’re not just running across a landscape, you’re running inside a moment that feels untouched by time.

Unique for the MDS format, Raid Namibia is undertaken in teams of two with two distance options, 100km or 120km. Taking place April 25th to May 2nd 2026, this race is a very special event in the MDS line-up and as such, participants will ideally have prior experience of an MDS event or similar.

Read about the 2025 MDS Raid Namibia HERE

Atlantic Coast vs. Raid Namibia

Two Frontiers. One Mindset.

• MDS Atlantic Coast brings wind, waves, and a constantly changing terrain under the open Moroccan sky.

• MDS Raid Namibia delivers pure stillness and a surreal immersion in the world’s most ancient desert as teams of two with a special star night.

One ocean, the Atlantic, two unique events. Experience the silence of the desert, experience different landscapes and share the same unshakable spirit that brings all MDS events together.

If you’ve ever dreamed of pushing your limits somewhere unforgettable, entries open:

June 18, 2025 1200 CET.

MDS Atlantic Coast and MDS Raid Namibia are more than races — they’re experiences that shape you.

MDS website HERE

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MDS Morocco Atlantic Coast 2025 – Stage 3

Posted on February 1, 2025 by talkultra

The wind blew strong during the night causing a restless night for many. To add to the fatigue, rain arrived as the runner’s started to pack and get ready for the third and final stage.

It was an ominous start and it was clear that there was high anxiety for each participant, with 27km’s to go, this was not going to be an easy last day.

The first wave left at 0800 and the top-25 departed at 0930. Gladly, the rain disappeared, however, the wind did not…

It was a northerly headwind for the entire 27km’s creating some of the most memorable moments and images of any MDS event.

Runner’s battled, heads down, hands shielding faces and they fought what would seem like a never ending battle against nature to the finish line.

But the finish line came for all and with it, great emotion.

Stage 3 of the first edition of MDS Morocco Atlantic Coast was brutally beautiful. Relentless impressive dunes, the Atlantic Ocean to the left and the final 10km’s along the beach made for a completely memorable MDS.

Tears, joy, emotion, relief and the bling of a medal all made the journey worthwhile.

The journey for each participant unique. The experience unique. But there was one common thread…

‘We survived and experienced a truly memorable journey along the Atlantic Coast of Morocco.’

Full race results HERE

Interested in an MDS event in 2025? A full calendar of dates and destinations are available HERE

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MDS Morocco Atlantic Coast 2025 – Stage 1

Posted on January 27, 2025 by talkultra

The 2025 Marathon des Sables calendar kicks-off the a new event, MDS Morocco Atlantic Coast, a great addition to the MDS line-up and now the fourth event in the country, the others, Legendary, MDS Morocco and MDS Morocco Trek.

Located close to Agadir, the MDS Morocco Atlantic Coast explores a new area of this magical country.

For stage 1 it was a very early start of 0300 for the drive from Agadir and the start line.

Kicking-off at 0930, 170 runners from 27 nationalities started the 23km journey with 344m+ heading north to the coastline of the Atlantic Coast. Of the 170 participants, 50% of the field are women, MDS once again pioneering the way for female participation in ultra races.

The day started with hard pack runnable terrain making for easy km’s before a dune passage, followed by a gorge and finally high dunes with the glimmer of the ocean in the distance. Cloud and a chill in the air soon moved away to leave blue skies and daily high temperatures of 27-degrees.

Yoann Stuck and Listy Mazille dominated the day. Yoann finishing the day in a super-fast 01:49:52 ahead of Göran Schrey and Stephan Bawey, 02:01:30 and 02:01:52 respectively.

For the women, Listy crossed the line in 02:16:58, a huge gap opened up with Janina Beck 2nd in 02:39:43. Anne-Caroline Kusinierz was 3rd in 02:43:08.

Full race results HERE

Tomorrow, stage 2, is ‘the long day’ when participants can choose one of three distances, 19.7km, 41.2km or 54.5km.

Interested in joining an MDS event in 2025? A full calendar of dates and destinations are available HERE

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MDS Morocco Atlantic Coast 2025 – Countdown Time

Posted on January 17, 2025 by talkultra

A new year and a new race for Marathon des Sables. MDS returns to Morocco, this time, the Atlantic Coast!

First editions are always special, and anticipation is high to explore the white dunes of this magical part of Morocco.

As with all MDS events, Trek excluded, participants will choose either 70, 100 or 120km’s over 3 stages in 4 days.

Located close to Agadir, on arrival in Morocco, participants will spend two nights in a hotel for relaxation and admin protocols. After the race, everyone will return to the same hotel for post-race relaxation and of course, on the final night, a gala dinner, awards and party.

2026 participants will be pioneers of this new Moroccan adventure.

RACE FORMAT

Participants choose 3 different distances: 70, 100 or 120km,divided into 3 stages.

Typical distances are as follows:

Stage 1: 25km
Stage 2: around 20, 40 or 60km
Stage 3: 25km

Stages can be completed at your own pace: walking or running.

PROGRAM

Jan 25th arrival in Morocco and night at hotel.

Jan 26th technical and medical checks, night in the hotel.

Jan 27th transfer to the desert and stage 1, night in bivouac.

Jan 28th stage 2 and night in bivouac.

Jan 29th rest day and night in bivouac.

Jan 30th stage 3 and finish followed by transfer to hotel.

Jan 31st relaxation day with awards and dinner in the eve, night at the hotel.

Feb 1st onward travel.

THE EVENT

Vast streteches of brilliant whiteness, the white dunes of the Atlantic Coast are special and an epic backdrop for this new MDS event. Away from the hustle and bustle of modern life, an epic adventure awaits everyone. Agadir and the surrounding coastline also offers an opportunity for additional exploration; epic coastline, beaches, tradition, culture and an immersive Moroccan experience.

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 as 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 will 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 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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MDS Morocco – Atlantic Coast 2025

Posted on July 16, 2024 by talkultra

Following on from the huge success of MDS Cappadocia, MDS add a new event to the 2025 line-up, the MDS Morocco – Atlantic Coast.

This makes three events now in Morocco, MDS The Legendary, MDS Morocco and the new MDS Atlantic Coast which only confirms that Morocco, really is a perfect destination for a desert adventure.

The Atlantic Coast brings something very new, white dunes, endless beaches and of course, the juxtaposition of the ocean as a backdrop bringing something very new and different to a Moroccan adventure.

The event will take place from January 25th to February 1st 2025 and as with all other MDS events, it will follow the same format, a three day race over 4-days with the option to run/ walk 70, 100 or 120km’s.

Here is a breakdown of how each stage may look:

– Stage 1: 25km – 30km
– Stage 2: 20, 40 or 60km
– Stage 3: 25km – 30km

Read MDS The Ultimate Guide HERE

MDS events bring a very unique challenge and with the distance options that are available, you can make these events as hard or as easy as you wish. With a considerable line-up of events and destinations, MDS are now offering a great opportunity to visit new places as a run tourist.

The Atlantic Coast for sure will be a highly anticipated destination.

The Schedule:

Participants will need to arrive in Morocco (Marrakech or Agadir) on Saturday January 25th (or before) to meet the MDS team at a designated point for onward travel to the race hotel.
Day 2 will have technical and medical checks with a day at the hotel.
Day 3 participants will transfer from the hotel and the start of stage 1 which will be 25 to 30km. Night in bivouac.
Day 4 stage 2, the ‘long day’ of 20, 40 or 60km. Night in bivouac.
Day 5 rest day. Night in bivouac.
Day 6 stage 3 25 to 30km and then transfer to hotel. Night in bivouac.
Day 7 day at the hotel, awards in the evening and gala dinner.
Day 8 onward travel home.