You are in the final 2-weeks for MDS The Legendary.
With this in mind, we follow up the conference calls that took place on Friday March 21st with a summary.
First and foremost, the conference calls were recorded and you can view them on YouTube, the english version is as below.
SUMMARY NOTES AND KEY POINTS
The adventure will be here soon, do not worry, keep calm, 80% of you are first time participants.
Here we will go over the key information about the race.
Logistics
Passport – keep it handy and make sure you don’t forget it! Make sure you have at leat 6 months validity.
Wear race clothing for travel including shoes and gaiters.
Take RACE PACK with all contents as carry-on luggage, this includes the food. The only items you must check-in are poles and knife/ scissors etc.
MDS admin send you a procedure via newsletter in case your checked bag gets lost.
There will also be a pre-race shop at bivouac if needed, this will not have an exhaustive amount of equipment, but it may help in an emergency.
What happens when you land in Marrakech?
At the airport as you exit, after baggage collection, there will be a welcome area on April 2 and 3rd look out for the MDS team wearing orange and blue gilets.
Board your bus
Bus schedule:
- KENZI ROSE: April 2 & 3 – 7:00 AM
- RAK AIRPORT: April 2 & 3 – 10:00 AM
- RAK AIRPORT: April 2 & 3 – 12:00 PM
The drive to Ouarzazate is approximately 4-hour ride + mid-way break MDS will provide a snack. If you have special dietary needs, you should have submitted that on our website. You’re welcome to bring your own snack if that makes you feel more comfortable.
Drop-off at hotels in Ouarzazate – all buses stop at all hotels:
- El Baraka
- La Perle du Sud
- Berbère Palace
- Karam Palace
You’ll spend 1 or 2 nights there depending on your booking. Our staff will be present in the main hotels in Ouarzazate if you need anything.
April 4
Transfer to the bivouac
Meet at 7:30 AM in Ouarzazate to board the bus from either:
- Karam Palace
- Berbère Palace
6-hour transfer
1 break during the ride, lunch pack will be provided BUT I recommend you purchase items in Ourarzazate to take with you, remember dta 1 and day 2 in bivouac is self-sufficient.
REMEMBER you are self-sufficient with food BEFORE the race starts. So, you need to take adequate food, snacks etc. There is no restriction here as you carry this in your luggage.
➤ Arrival at the bivouac with your suitcase and all your gear
➤ You’ll be assigned an 8-person tent – tent numbers will be shared next week
➤ Arrival briefing
➤ Sleep
IMPORTANT – You have luggage with you this night, a great opportunity to fine tune what you will take when racing. If it is cold, you can pack extra layers. If hot, you can maybe take less.
April 5
Technical checks stay in your bivouac tent and a member of the MDS team will come to your tent and tell you when to go. Expect this to take approximately 1-hour.
You will drop your luggage at the technical check. you will not see or have access to luggage until AFTER the race when you return to Ouarzazate.
Rest in camp and prepare for the race.
April 6–12
Race Stages You’ll discover the stage details in the roadbook, given to you when boarding the bus on April 4.
The long stage will be the 4th stage.
The race will be 250km’s over 6-stage / 7-days.
A typical stage:
Early starts so you will be getting ready in the dark.
Checkpoints every 10km (+/-) with unlimited water
We recommend carrying an extra soft flask for flexibility – but remember, you carry it!
Each CP has shaded rest zones
Orange-vest staff to help if needed for any medical issue
Cold water available to cool your neck (bring a neck gaiter!)
Feminine hygiene products available at bivouacs and on course
Minimum pace is 3.5 km/h – no stress, go at your own rhythm.
End of the stage: You can refill your bottles + get a 5L water bottle to last to CP 1 the following day.
EQUIPMENT
Review the list of mandatory equipment
First night at the bivouac: Good opportunity to test how cold it gets.
Bring a proper sleeping bag,
Have with you warm layers, light down jacket, etc.
Sleeping mat is highly recommended
Make sure you have tried and tested shoes with gaiters
Foot care – trim your toenails before the race – not too short, not too long. A pedicure can be a good idea.
Bring socks you’re used to, and maybe a spare pair.
Foot care during the race:
- Clean and let your feet breathe after each stage.
- If you feel a blister or small injury, go see the medics immediately – don’t wait!
Rain?
Keep a rain jacket and a rain cover for your bag in your WAA pack – just in case.
Protect yourself from the sun: Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses – don’t neglect anything!
Clothing: Test your gear beforehand to avoid surprises One race outfit + one bivouac outfit is enough
Fire starter bricks – available in the pre-race shopMENT
Food & Nutrition
Before the race: Food for the evening of April 4 and the full day on April 5 – whatever you like.
During the race: Plan 7 days of food: breakfast, lunch, dinner. For the last stage, only breakfast + snacks for the stage are needed. A lunch pack will be given on the return bus.
So, you need roughly 20 meals, totalling around 12,000 to 14,000 calories minimum.
Strategy – Test your meals and drinks in advance! Don’t bring 3 or 4 of the same meal unless you’re sure you like it.
Backpack weight It adds up quickly – aim to be as close to the minimum 6.5kg as possible. This does NOT include water.
Medical Advice Hygiene rules:
- Never drink tap water.
- Don’t share bottles or cups.
- Avoid raw vegetables at hotels or elsewhere.
- Stick to cooked food before and after the race.
- Your digestive system will be sensitive.
- Heat and stress can also cause minor digestive issues.
- Don’t panic – mild diarrhea is often just your body adjusting (and it might even make you lighter!).
- Limit physical contact at the bivouac.
- Wash hands frequently – especially before eating or after using the toilet.
- Use hand sanitizer often.
Tips for a safe race:
- No self-medication If you feel unwell, don’t self-medicate.
- Avoid NSAIDs like ibuprofen, Voltaren, etc. – they can cause serious complications during intense effort.
- Talk to the medics instead.
- No COMPEED® for blisters They melt into your skin in the desert heat and make treatment harder.
- Hydration Drink according to thirst – don’t over hydrate.
- Drink two diluted bouillon cubes per race day.
- MDS do not provide salt tablets as they’re not recommended.
- Treat pain early The earlier, the better – avoid complications.
- Listen to your body Fatigue, dizziness, pain – speak to an Orange Vest!
- Medical Form One week before the MDS Legendary, you’ll receive a medical questionnaire from: no-reply@logicoss.net. Filling it out is mandatory to help the medical team take care of you during the event.
Race Tracking
- Friends and family can follow you on the MDS website
- Live tracking page
- Live webcam
- EMOTION BOXES
- Satellite phone
- There will be some connection spots – but we recommend disconnecting and enjoying the moment.
Final stretch:
Stop training. If possible get some heat acclimation – sauna, heat chamber, hot yoga etc
Don’t stress.
Once you’re in Morocco, we take care of everything.
Enjoy it!
Any questions? Call us.
A full recap will be emailed to you next week with all these details.
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Web – www.iancorless.com
IAN CORLESS 