MDS Morocco 2024 – Stage 1

Posted on October 14, 2024 by talkultra

Bivouac in the distance towered by the ominous weather

The 2024 MDS Morocco officially got underway after a day of strong winds, sandstorms and rain through the night.

With the glow of fires in bivouac, the sky was ominous and the flashes of light and sound in the distance was a warning of what was to come.

Stage 1, 24.7km and 507m+ was in theory, an easier day passing through very familiar MDS territory. With 2.5km´s of easy terrain before a short sand climb and descent before a long flat section to cp1.

Climbing the early pass before the rain came

Cp1 to Cp2 contained more soft-sand and soft-sand followed as the runners climbed to the highest point via a mountain pass and then a descent all the way to bivouac.

The story of the day was the weather, the ominous clouds and distance sounds moved to bivouac and then reached the first mountain pass just as the last runner came through.

What followed was nothing short of a biblical downpour turning certain sections of the stage 1 route into a mud bath of flooding, rivers and streams. Cp2 was hit hard, but participants embraced the challenge. Everyone was smiles, fully understanding that they were experiencing a very unique moment in MDS history.

As quickly as the storm came, it disappeared and as the day passed, by midday, skies were blue, the sune was once again beating down and all was resumed for a typical MDS day!

Full MDS Morocco results are available to be viewed HERE

Top 3 for stage 1 came as no surprise for the men with Elmouaziz and El Morabity playing a game setting up Rachid for the long stage tomorrow.

1 – Abdelkader ELMOUAZIZ 2:12:17

2 – Rachid EL MORABITY 2:12:20

3 – Thomas Benjamin BERTIN 2:13:25

For the women:

1 – Lucie MATT 3:02:22

2 – Emilie GARCIA 3:16:40

3 – Délia CLAVIEN 3:21:11

The HANDI race started with the masses and proceed for 1km before transferring via vehicle to Cp1. They then move from Cp1 to Cp2, km8.5 to km12.2 in ´race mode.´ A tough and arduous challenge moving a special wheelchair through the soft sand of the Sahara. One pushes, the other pulls. It’s incredible to see these 10 pioneering teams pave a new way in Morocco.

Tomorrow, stage 2, which is the theoretical long day. Athletes can choose, 20km, 40km or 60km. However, after the heavy rains of today and localised flooding, there may be a change of routes.

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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MDS Morocco 2024 – Countdown Time

Posted on October 9, 2024 by talkultra

Following on from MDS Fuerteventura, the MDS team quickly transition to Morocco and the 2024 edition of MDS Morocco that will take place in the heart of the Sahara. MDS Morocco offers an adventure accessible to all kind of walkers and runners. A unique journey, where you will cross breathtaking landscapes. Far from any form of civilization, this is a unique opportunity to refocus on yourself and enjoy the simple pleasures of life.

This 3^rd edition, 12^th to the 19^th October will see 600 participants arrive for the adventure of a lifetime in the place where the Marathon des Sables story started over 37-years ago, Morocco.

Participants will arrive in Ouarzazate on Saturday October 12^th for technical and medical checks followed by a night in a hotel.

The following day, Sunday, is the journey, via bus, to the desert (approximately 6 hours) with arrival in bivouac and the start of self-sufficiency.

Day 3, 4, 5 and 6 will have participants follow the classic MDS format of racing, 3 stages spread over 4-days.

Day 1 / Stage 1 25-30km.
Day 2 / Stage 2 choose 20km, 40km or 60km.
Day 3 Rest day
Day 4 / Stage 3 25-30km followed by transfer to hotel.

Importantly, MDS Morocco will see the addition of the NEW category, HANDI MDS which will cover 51km and 867m+

TRACKING AND RESULTS HERE

The following day provides the opportunity to visit the iconic site of Aït-Benhaddou (one of the locations of the film Gladiator). On arrival back at the hotel, time to relax and prepare for the awards ceremony and gala dinner.

Saturday 19h October is departure day.

Three sublime stages which will transport participants in the most beautiful places of the Moroccan Sahara, sleeping 4 nights in the MDS bivouac, this is the start of one of the adventures of a lifetime.

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 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 the discovery, travel, meeting new people and physically challenging yourself in a self-sufficient manner.

Read MDS THE ULTIMATE GUIDE HERE

MARATHON DES SABLES 2025 events are already open:

MDS Morocco – Atlantic Coast: January 25 to February 1, 2025
MDS Cappadocia: June 21 to 28, 2025
MDS Jordan – May: May 9 to 16, 2025
MDS Jordan – November: November 1 to 8, 2025

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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.