Stage 3 of the MDS 120 Cappadocia delivered a brutal, beautiful reckoning. Spanning 26 kms under a punishing sun, the course cut through some of Turkey’s most iconic landscapes, from the pastel walls of Red Valley to the towering spires of Love Valley. But make no mistake: this stage wasn’t just about scenery. It was a furnace.
Love Valley – amazing
With temperatures soaring past 36°C and a heat index that felt closer to 48°C the early start with hot air balloons was welcome.
Not all bivouacs are the same
Even so, runners were fighting the heat within minutes. Shade was rare, and the terrain offered no favours: narrow single tracks, slot canyons, technical descents, and long exposed stretches tested every step.
By mid-morning, the route through Love Valley felt less like a romantic postcard and more like a slow-motion survival drill.
Despite the conditions, runners dug deep. The lead pack charged forward with astonishing control, weaving through the heat haze with purpose, but it was the back of the pack that showed the rawest version of the struggle. Blistered feet, overheated cores, and sheer exhaustion painted a stark picture of just how hard-earned every kilometer was.
Crossing the finish line at the edge of Love Valley brought a wave of emotion. Some wept, others collapsed. The medal placed around each finisher’s neck wasn’t just symbolic, it was earned in full, mile by scorching mile. For many, it marked the toughest test they’d ever faced in a race.
From first to last, the results were staggering. All athletes held their nerve in the heat, but it was the collective will of the entire field that defined the day. This was more than a stage, it was a battle. And everyone who crossed that line came out the other side changed.
Blue and Orange jackets make it all happen
Stage 3 didn’t give anyone an easy finis. It demanded everything. The landscape may have been romantic, but the race was ruthless. The medal, deserved!
Stage 2 of the 2025 MDS 120 Cappadocia tested every ounce of determination runners had left in the tank.
Breakfast bivouac style
The day began with a 4:00 AM wake-up call under a pitch-black sky.
Just WOW!
By the time the starting line buzzed to life, the first glow of sunrise was filled with dozens of hot air balloons over the otherworldly landscape, a surreal and unforgettable sendoff into a brutal, beautiful day. This is what makes MDS 120 Cappadocia so special.
Blue coats, a key and important element of MDS 120.
Participants had a choice: 20km, 40.9km, or 58.6km. Three distances, one shared battle. No matter which course they committed to, the terrain made sure no one got an easy ride.
Stunning varied landscape
From the start, runners faced a punishing mix of steep canyons, tight tunnels, dusty switchbacks, and rocky plateaus.
Dense vegetation
The famed Cappadocia chimneys, towering rock formations sculpted by time and wind rose like sentinels along the route, offering brief moments of awe in between relentless stretches of heat and effort.
Unique landscape
At times, dense vegetation clawed at legs and arms. Elsewhere, there was nothing but the sun, dry air, and the crunch of feet against rock and dust.
The longer the distance, the deeper the challenge. The sun bore down with intent, turning even the breezes into blasts from a hair dryer. Hydration and mindset became as critical as foot placement. There were stumbles, cramps, and moments of silence where only the sound of breath and grit kept runners going. This is where the MDS 120 orange (medical) and blue (logistics) help keep the runner’s going, importantly, they bring a key safety element to the race.
Maëva, our last finisher receiving treatment just 4km’s from the finish.
But they did go. Every last one of them.
The final competitors crossed the line after an incredible 16 hours and 25 minutes on the move. A huge shoutout to Maëva and Clémment, who showed unreal resilience and heart, pushing through to the very end.
To all who took on Stage 2, no matter the distance, no matter the time, today you didn’t just run through Cappadocia. You conquered it.
Tomorrow brings the third and final stage, concluding in the Love Valley.
Stage 1 of the 2nd edition of MDS 120 Cappadocia kicked off under the early light of an Anatolian sunrise, with 25 km’s of raw terrain waiting to test the field. A race drawing runners from 25 countries, with 62% of the field made up of women, the stage offered more than just a test of fitness. It celebrated resilience, international camaraderie, and the wild beauty of one of Earth’s most spectacular landscapes.
At 08:00, runners surged forward through soft dust and rising heat, chasing not just the finish line, but the promise of the valleys, ridges, and canyons that make Cappadocia a runner’s dream.
A perfect introduction to this region’s surreal terrain. Cappadocia’s sculpted rock formations and ancient pathways aren’t just scenic, they’re alive underfoot. The ground shifts from soft tuff to jagged stone without warning. Trails wrap through fairy chimneys, drop into hidden valleys, and climb ancient volcanic ridges that defy rhythm and punish pacing mistakes.
In Sword Valley, the finish line was framed by tall rock blades that towered like silent spectators. But before that moment of glory, runners had to earn it, through a twisting, relentless route that refused to give them anything for free.
This stage, at 25km’s, may have been short by ultra standards, but it made up for that in technicality and vertical grind.
“That climb? That was a truth serum to the CP,” said one British runner, laughing between gulps of water.
“I’ve raced ultras all over the world, and I’ve never seen terrain like this,”
This was only the opening round, but already the stage has shaped expectations for the rest of the MDS 120 Cappadocia: With deeper valleys, hotter days, and longer distances on the horizon, strategy will start to matter even more. Pacing, hydration, and mental grit will be required in abundance, especially with increasing hotter temperatures.
Equal parts brutal and beautiful, it gave runners a taste of what’s ahead: unpredictable terrain, and heat. The landscape demands respect. The heat punishes the arrogant. And the first finish line felt like a small rebirth.
One stage down. Two to go. Cappadocia has opened the door and it’s not letting anyone through without a fight.
The MDS Cappadocia returns for its second edition, bringing trail runners back to one of the most visually surreal landscapes on Earth.
Set across three demanding stages over four days, this is not your typical desert race, on the contrary, it’s a technical, high-impact trail event through ancient terrain steeped in history and visual splendour.
Runners choose between 70km, 100km, or 120km of total distance, stages 1 and 3 are the same for everyone, stage 2 participants choose 20/40 or 60km.
Each course is carved through a landscape that feels pulled from another planet.
This isn’t a race of endless dunes, Cappadocia stands unique in the MDS format with no sand. It’s a test of grit over rock, gravel, and dust trails, winding through steep valleys, high plateaus, and narrow chimney-like formations.
The terrain shifts constantly. One moment you’re powering up a canyon, the next you’re cruising past thousand-year-old cave dwellings.
Cappadocia’s late summer weather is unpredictable. Days can scorch above 30°C (86°F), while nights drop sharply in temperature. As with all MDS events, participants will sleep in individual tents in a stunning location set within an amphitheatre of rock.
The sky, often cloudless, fills at dawn with dozens of hot air balloons, silent giants drifting above the rock spires and carved cliffs. Arguably, one of the most unique and memorable sights in any MDS event.
Whether you’re going for the 70km or pushing through the full 120km, MDS Cappadocia strips away distractions and puts the challenge squarely on participant versus the trail: raw, remote, and unforgettable.
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.
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.
Photo by Ian Corless
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.
Photo by Ian Corless
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.
Photo by Ian Corless
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.
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.
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.
• 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.
Since 1986, the Marathon des Sables – The Legendary (MDS) has carved its name into endurance racing history as one of the most gruelling, soul-stripping tests of human resilience. For 39 editions, it has pushed thousands to their physical and psychological limits under the crushing sun of the Moroccan Sahara.
In 2026, this legendary race will celebrate its 40th edition and it promises to be the most unforgettable one yet.
MDS The Legendary is six stages over roughly 250 km (155 miles), on blistering sand, across jagged jebels, and through soul-sapping salt plains. Runners carry everything they need for the week: food, sleeping equipment and clothes. The only luxury provided? A rationed daily water supply and a communal bivouac tent to crawl into at night which is shared with 7 other competitors.
Photo by Ian Corless
Every ounce carried matters. Bring too little and you starve. Bring too much and the weight drags you down. Success depends on ruthless efficiency and mental grit.
For four decades, the The Legendary has become a rite of passage for ultra runners, adventurers, and those seeking to rewrite their limits. It has seen amputees cross the line, cancer survivors, soldiers, CEOs and importantly, ordinary people doing extraordinary things. The terrain has remained the same: raw, relentless, and unforgiving.
Photo by Ian Corless
Despite the challenges, runner’s keep coming back, some for redemption, some for addiction, and all for the transformation.
The 40th Edition: What’s Coming in 2026
Photo by Ian Corless
The 40th MdS won’t just be another race, it will be a celebration of the madness. A tribute to every blistered foot, every tear shed under Saharan stars, every finisher’s medal earned in blood, sand, and sweat.
Photo by Ian Corless
The 40th will honour the legacy with style and fury.
Think You’ve Got What It Takes?
Entries for the 2026 edition open on June 11, 2025. Veteran or rookie, this is the year to go. Not just to run, but to become part of history.Become a Legend!
Elisabet Barnes is a 5x participant at MDS and a 2x champion. In 2025, Elisabet returned to MDS The Legendary with different goals, different perspectives and to experience the race without the pressure of the podium.
Her last MDS participation was 2017. A great deal has happened in the last 8-years, Covid for one and of course, a change of organisation at The Legendary. With extensive experience of MDS as a participant and coach, Elisabet provides and in-depth insight of the ‘new’ Legendary.
“…very friendly, cheerful, supportive, it was a very positive experience to come to a checkpoint or the finish line. There was always people on the course wether in buggies or a medic running the opposite way; I saw so many people on the course, it was good for moral but it also felt safe… but I never felt there was less people on the course, actually I think there was more and they could access everywhere.”
The first edition of MDS Raid Namibia has come to a close, leaving behind exhausted bodies, and memories that will last a lifetime. This was more than just a race across the sands—it was a shared journey in one of the world’s most extreme environments. Over four days participants moved through heat, wind, and shifting dunes with only one constant: each other.
This inaugural and pioneering edition introduced a unique format – teams of two. Every participant was matched, not just in distance and pace, but in mindset. They ran, rested, and overcame together. And in those long hours on foot, under relentless skies, something powerful happened. Partnerships turned into friendships. Teams became a family.
Self-sufficiency is the foundation of MDS Raid Namibia. Runners carry all their food and essential gear for four days on their backs. It’s a constant of the MDS format: a journey on foot through an incredible environment that returns participants to a more primitive time, one of survival. Support comes from each other and the MDS crew.
The Blue Coats and the Orange Coats: Backbone of the Race
Behind every successful kilometer run or walked were the volunteers – the unsung heroes of MDS Raid Namibia. Dressed in blue jackets, the logistics team ran the show from behind the scenes. They handled transportation, managed camp setup, checkpoint supplies, vehicle recovery, and every little thing that kept the race moving forward. Without them, the race wouldn’t have happened.
Equally essential were the orange-coated medical teams. These men and women brought experience, calm, and skill to a setting where even small injuries can become dangerous fast. From treating blisters and hydration to monitoring serious fatigue and heat issues, they kept a constant watch over the runners. Their presence allowed participants to push harder, knowing someone had their backs.
Crucial to the survival and success of every runner were the course checkpoints, spaced strategically each day. These oases offered one vital thing: water. The weight of self-sufficiency was lifted slightly at each stop, where volunteers filled bottles, tracked progress, and cheered with smiles that mattered more than they knew. These checkpoints weren’t just pit stops – they were lifelines.
Volunteers often worked longer hours than the racers. They were the first up, the last to sleep, and the steady hands that made this entire event possible. Their professionalism and compassion were matched only by their quiet strength. They didn’t ask for recognition – but they deserve it all.
Running Together, Surviving Together
On the course, teammates and other teams took turns setting pace, checking the route, monitoring hydration, and offering quiet encouragement when the kilometres got heavy.
When one teammate faltered, the other picked up the emotional slack. When both were down, they leaned on each other and climbed back out together.
What surprised many was how close they grew to not just their partner, but to everyone else out there. Between finish line and camp life, barriers fell.
Every evening, the camp came alive with laughter, shared meals, stories, and exhausted, genuine connection. Strangers at the start became a family by the end. No one knew how hard it would get. No one knew how deep the friendships would run.
The Desert Gave Everything
The course itself was as raw and real as it gets. Each day offered a new section of Namibia’s coastal desert, where runners encountered moonscape vistas of sand that disappered into endless horizons.,
Soft, energy-sapping dunes that define this region were the relentless playground that made MDS Raid Namibia unique.
The Atlantic Ocean sat just out of reach, visible but untouchable, as if guarding the coastline. A highlight? For the first time in history, participants were granted access to the restricted Sandwich Harbour.
From the start, the desert tested resolve. Heat during the day, cold at night, and relentless sand underfoot made every kilometer earned. The course cut through some of the most stunning and unforgiving landscapes in Africa: ancient dunes, wind-carved valleys, and the stark openness of Namibia’s coastal desert. It was physically punishing, but visually surreal.
Unique for RAID was star night: a night without shelter, raw, exposed to the sky and elements. Teams bonded as they revelled in the unique privilege to share an African sky as a communal blanket.
Gratitude to the Namibian People
No event of this scale happens without the trust and cooperation of local communities. The MDS team expresses deep thanks to the people of Namibia – the landowners, the local guides, the regional authorities, and the communities near the course. A special thanks to Namibian Tourist Board and the Governor. The race would not have been possible without Kenneth and the team at Sandwich Dune Tours and Safari.
The generosity, the hospitality, and the pride in sharing this land made it possible for us to experience something few ever will. Namibia’s desert is wild, beautiful, and humbling – and it’s also a place of heritage and strength. We were guests in this landscape, and we honor those who welcomed us into it.
More Than a Finish Line
When the final teams crossed the finish line – worn out, arms raised, sometimes in tears – there was no grand ceremony, no confetti. Just the wind, the sand, and the quiet satisfaction of doing something very few people ever will.
Yet, in that exhaustion, something else was clear: no one was truly the same person who had arrived days earlier. This race changed people. It stripped them down, exposed their limits, and revealed what was underneath. Some discovered endurance. Others rediscovered purpose. Everyone left with more than they brought.
Looking Forward
The success of this first edition has set a powerful tone. MDS Raid Namibia may not be for the faint-hearted – but it is for the curious, the determined, the seekers. Those who want more than medals. Those who want something real.
What began as a desert race ended as a shared story of grit, resilience, and human connection. And the desert – harsh and indifferent – gave something beautiful in return.
To the runners, the volunteers, the partners, and the people of Namibia: thank you.
The sand is settling, the 2025 and 39th edition of Marathon des Sables The Legendary is over.
Quite simply, a hugely successful edition with 95% completion rate and good time vibes felt throughout the Sahara and beyond.
OVERVIEW
Cyril and Olivier with Michael from the USA – Photo by Ian Corless
The transition from 2023 to 2024 was not an easy one. The take over of MDS from Patrick Bauer and into the hands of Cyril and Olivier had created some concern and anxiety. Most certainly, the build up to the 2024 (38th) MDS had many concerns for participants that were vocalised on social media. However, after the 2024 event, all these worries and concerns were extinguished with an incredibly successful event and high finish rate. You Can read Marathon des Sables – The Legendary : 2024 Summary HEREshould you wish.
Nothing like a MDS start – Photo by Ian Corless
From May 2024 to April 2025 the build up to the 39th Legendary edition was seamless. The successful running and completion of MDS (3-stages over 4-days at 70/100 or 120km) events in Cappadocia, Fuerteventura, Jordan, Morocco, Atlantic Coast and the introduction of Trek and Handi only confirmed the growth, development, upward learning curve and the MDS team bonding and progression.
All of the concerns and worries for the 38th edition of Legendary played out on social media were not present for the 39th edition. There is a couple of reasons for this I believe:
The 38th edition had been a huge success and therefore worries and concerns were answered.
The pro-active communication from the MDS team improved considerably.
Runner testimonies from the 2024 event confirmed that the ‘new’ MDS team and the changes made were all positive.
Evolution, not revolution was the quote that Cyril Gauthier had used in 2023 this was played out in 2024 and then consolidated upon in 2025.
Arrival in the desert – Photo by Ian Corless
THE 2025 EVENT
Welcome to the Sahra – Photo by Ian Corless
Post-race questionnaires are extremely important for the MDS team. Cyril and Olivier very much take all the comments, absorb them, digest them and then move forward with new plans. If a new plan does not work and the participants confirm this, then it is changed. If a new plan works, it is retained. There are no one-stop easy solutions, MDS is an ever-growing and ever-changing event that must constantly be a chameleon to the ever-changing demands and needs of participants.
TRAVEL
Photo by Ian Corless
A key change for 2025 was in transportation. Two key points:
The core MDS team, based mostly in Paris, travelled to Morocco via train, boat and coach, taking 3-days and not using airplane travel. For 2025, this was a one way journey, a test, to see how feasible and practical this form of travel is. The general consensus from those who did it is/ was extremely positive. General comments were around this being an adventure in its own right, a brilliant opportunity to share more time with colleagues, a great opportunity to work while travelling and so on… I think we may well see this grow into something bigger for 2026!
In 2024, plane travel arranged by the MDS organisation was reduced to a minimum. For 2025 it was eradicated all together. Therefore, participants could no longer take the option of a MDS charter plane but had to arrange flights themselves. This is no big deal with so many flight options available, especially with MDS offering a free transfer coach service from Marrakech to Ouarzazate and post-race, a free transfer service back to Marrakech.
SELF-SUFFICIENCY
Photo by Ian Corless
Catering by the MDS organisation once in the Sahara was removed in 2024, this was reasoned for 2025. To clarify, when the buses leave Ouarzazate for the desert, self-sufficiency begins for the travel day, the fist night in bivouac, the following day (admin day), the evening and then, the following day, the race starts and ‘race’ self-sufficiency begins. There is a difference between the two forms of self-sufficiency as the travel day and admin day you can bring as much or as little as you like. Quite simply, it’s not part of the mandatory race minimum requirement of 2000 cal minimum per day. You can bring tinned food, drinks, wine, beer, caviar…. Whatever you wish! It’s a no brainer to be able to look after your own food requirements and quite simply it greatly reduces the possibility of food related health issues that could potentially ruin a race.
ADMIN DAY
Photo by Ian Corless
The procedures for admin day were changed for the 2024 edition and they were a huge success. This system was retained for 2025 making the process seamless, fast and considerably less painful than the procedures that had gone before.
Photo by Ian Corless
BIVOUAC
Photo by Ian Corless
In principle, it may well look the same, however, there are changes for the very observant. Firstly, the circles that make bivouac are smaller and tighter making the camp much more of a community. In 2025 there were new ‘women only’ tents for those who would prefer this option. On some days, in the middle of bivouac, yoga/ stretching was possible, circle of legend talks and yes, even a big fire.
WATER
Photo by Ian Corless
The provision of water was drastically changed in 2024 and this was retained for 2025. During the race there is no rationing of water. As you arrive at a CP, water is decanted into your bottles via MDS blue jackets who pour the water from jugs. This water comes from large 5ltr bottles. Quite simply, you can have 2x 750ml bottles filled, you can then drink one and it will be refilled if required – a game changer.
Photo by Ian Corless
Post-race you are provided with 1 large 5ltr bottle, the is rationed. So, this water must provide hydration post-race, be used for dinner/ breakfast and it must be used to fill your bottles to take you to CP1 the following day.
ICED WATER
Photo by Ian Corless
CP’s have MDS orange or blue jackets who will pour iced water over your head to enable cooling. It’s a small simple step that makes a huge change that ultimately helps facilitate completion of the Legendary.
ORANGE AND BLUE JACKETS
Photo by Ian Corless
The MDS would not happen without this amazing team of people. The energy, the enthusiasm, the constant good vibes make the runner the number one priority and YES, these people make the difference between finishing and not finishing. They are 100% switched on with the sole purpose to get every runner across the line. You can get a feeling of how important the blue and oranges are by taking a look HERE on Facebook.
Photo by Ian Corless
Orange jackets are the medical team who make sure that participants are looked after 100%. They are there for you, no matter what the issue. You will see them on the course at CP’s, in fast response vehicles, in 4×4’s and of course in the medical tents in bivouac.
SAFETY
Photo by Ian Corless
Any MDS event has risks associated with it. We are often in harsh environments, in challenging conditions, we have varying climate conditions and of course, we have runner’s and staff pushing the limit of what is humanly possible. Safety is taken very seriously and how safety is managed is an ever-changing and developing process.
Countless 4×4’s – Photo by Ian Corless
Legendary had more fast response vehicles, more medical professionals on course, there were 10 medical professional runner’s who did the course and there was a new mobile medical unit for 2025 which is state of the art. There was also the inclusion of the ‘Orange Squad’ – a medical team who do the course the opposite way so that they are able to see runner’s coming toward them and should there be a problem, they can help immediately.
Fast response – Photo by Ian Corless
Each runner is issued with a Spot Tracker and this allows the MDS team to monitor each runner on the course and importantly, they have an SOS button which if pressed, will receive a medical response vehicle in minutes.
Fitting SPOT – Photo by Ian Corless
Feet are always an issue and of course, the medical tent is there to facilitate foot repair in bivouac. It’s important to be self-sufficient and look after your feet yourself, however, as and when necessary, a medical professional is always there to help.
RACE BRIEFINGS
Race start times are very important and pre 2024, the race start time was somewhat unpredictable. This changed in 2024 and was upped to another level in 2025 with every stage starting exactly on time! It may sound like a small thing, but knowing you will be underway as scheduled makes planning so much easier. If it says 0600 start, you know it starts at 0600.
Another change was the addition of an English speaking announcer – yes, it was me! This was the idea of Cyril and we instigated and tested this at Atlantic Coast in January, it worked. So, for Legendary and moving forward, an English briefing will take place and then be translated into French and not the other way around. Stage 6 race briefing may well go down in history as the best. Mood was already high with the final stage ahead, nut hen we had participant, Reujen Lista join us on stage for a ‘live’ version of Highway to Hell – it was epic!
Highway to Hell ‘live’ – Photo by Florian
WEATHER
The weather took its toll – Photo by Ian Corless
As always, weather plays a key part in any MDS event. However, we are most definitely feeling the impacts of ever changing climatic conditions. It was always assumed that MDS will be hot and unbearable, history is showing that is not the case. Recently, particularly in Morocco, we have experienced difficult weather: MDS Morocco in October had torrential rain and flooding, the recent MDS Atlantic Coast in January had cooler temperatures, some rain and the last day had full-on sand storms. The 2025 Legendary started calmly and tranquil, it was looking to be a classic race, it was sunny, hot, but not too hot and the winds were relatively calm. That all changed come stage 4 (the long day) with cloudy skies and cooler temperatures in the day. During the night the winds increased, rain came and without doubt, from 2100 hrs the conditions were difficult and challenging. Especially for those who were moving through the night looking to get the long day done. CP’s had cold participants taking shelter looking to get warm and continue the journey. This weather continued through the rest day. Stage 5 had a mix of everything but the heat never came and stage 6 was cloudy, cool and with intermittent rain. There is a very big lesson that needs to be learned, I did say this before Legendary, but now, post-race, I can only say it more, you need to be prepared for bad weather! A good jacket is now essential, so much so, I do think that it should be added to mandatory kit. I also think it wise to make sure that you are able to keep key items, such as sleeping bag, dry during bad weather. Many had wet sleeping bags during the long day which can effectively make them useless, depending on what filling is inside.
THE ROUTE
Photo by Ian Corless
Legendary is now 6-stages over 7-days and this is a huge difference. Pre 2024, the race was 5-stages and stage 6 was a non-times ‘solidarity’ stage for charity. It’s hard to argue against the charity side of this, however, a non-timed 6th stage was pointless.
Photo by Ian Corless
The race is now 6-stages timed and raced.
Photo by Ian Corless
For 2024, the ‘long day’ was moved to stage 3. For 2025, it was moved back to stage 4. The main reason for this was due to the course and the start/ finish point.
Photo by Ian Corless
2024 participants, as always, tried to stress that the 2024 edition was/ would be harder than 2025. Of course it’s nonsense. Comments like, ‘Argh, but here was more vertical gain in 2024!’ were unfounded as the people who made these comments had obviously not done due diligence, the reality is the 2024 Legendary was 252.9km’s and the 2025 event was 250km. Vertical gain was almost identical, 2024 was 2788m+ and 2025 was 2710m+
Photo by Ian Corless
In many respects, the 2025 edition was more ‘classic MDS’ with a marathon after the rest day.
Photo by Ian Corless
The route was notably different for some key reasons. The Sahara is vast and of course, needs to be explored more. Due to runner demand and logistical reasons, certain features have become almost ‘essential’ when running Legendary. However, Cyril and the team wanted to change that and therefore, there was no Jebel El Otfal in 2025, there was a return to Merzouga Dunes and while the route travelled in similar areas of the Sahara, the track was approximately 80% new. There were some great ‘new’ additions such as the huge dune on stage 4 and the stage 5 route was very special.
Photo by Ian Corless
THE RACE
Rachid – Photo by Ian Corless
Rachid El Morabity once again took victory securing his 11th and in the process he set a record for the most victories. It’s an incredible achievement to have this level of consistency over so many years. It’s fair to say, the level of competition at the front end of the race was less in 2025. The only real person who could upset Rachid was Hamid Yachou, he unfortunately withdrew mid-race with injury. We could argue all day if Mohamed El Morabity could beat Rachid, the simple fact is, it would not happen. However, as we look ahead to 2026, will Mohamed take over the Rl Morabity reigns? Mohamed is 10-years younger than Rachid and therefore, he has great potential ahead. Also, the inclusion of the 3rd and younger El Morabity, Mbark, should not be looked over.
Maryline – Photo by Ian Corless
For the women, 2023 Legendary champion, Maryline Nakache returned and she was on fire. No, she was untouchable. For perspective, Maryline finished 3rd on GC for the long day and at the end of the race, was 4th on GC with the closest time to Rachid, by a woman, in the history of the race. Quite incredible. Aziza El Amrany won the race in 2024 and for 2025 she was 2nd, she looked great throughout, despite an arm injury, however, she was no match for Maryline. Tomomi Bitoh placed 3rd, she has placed 3rd before. However, Annelies Brak would have placed 3rd had she not received a 2-hour time penalty for non-compliance of mandatory kit.
Rachid completed the race in 20:55:47 and Maryline in 23:57:20. A total of 847 participants crossed the finish line, the last male Tomohito Hirai in 75:49:27 and the last woman, Nemoto Yuzuki in 74:31:01.
Reujen Lista rocking the awards – Photo by Ian Corless
Transfer back to Ouarzazate was easy and seamless with coaches filling with participants and leaving asap. Of course, a hotel, many showers, buffet food and a nice clean bed always feels amazing after the Sahara. The awards dinner turned into an impromptu rock concert with a participant, Reujen Lista, singing 3 songs on stage, the last, of course, was Highway to Hell. It was a fantastic way to end what was a legendary LEGENDARY.
The 2025 and 39th edition of MDS The Legendary came to a conclusion with a 21.1km stage under cloudy skies with occasional rain.
A hard won reward – Photo by Ian Corless
The weather did not dampen the spirit of the runner’s though, they were elated, excited and happy knowing that no matter what, today, they would cross the final finish line and receive a medal.
The atmosphere on the start line was electric, especially with an unplanned live version of Highway to Hell by Reujen Lista.
Aziza 2nd – Photo by Ian Corless
The stage concluded at the iconic Merzouga Dunes and in reality, all the racing was done, at least for the top-3 positions in the men’s and women’s races.
Rachid El Morabity would be crowned champion for the 11th time, a record!
Maryline – Photo by Ian Corless
Maryline Nakache would be crowned champion for the 2nd time, this year though, her victory is extra special, she ranked 4th overall, an incredible result. Also notable, her time, was just over 2-hours slower than Rachid, 23:57:20 to Rachids’ 20:55:47.
Mohamed, Mbark and Rachid, unstoppable brothers – Photo by Ian Corless
For perspective, the last finisher was Tomohito Hirai in 75:49:27 and the last female finisher was Sarah Thomas Britton 74:01:23.
Tomomi 3rd – Photo by Ian Corless
An incredible 847 were crowned ‘Legends’ when they crossed the line, a 95% success rate.
Emotion – Photo by Ian CorlessEmotion – Photo by Ian CorlessEmotion – Photo by Ian Corless
The 39th edition will be remembered for a calm ‘classic’ MDS start, temperatures were good, the wind was low and the skies were blue.
Photo by Ian Corless
However, on stage 4, the long day, the winds increased under what was a cooler and cloudier day. By 2100 hours the wind was roaring, sand was blowing everywhere and suddenly heavy rains came making the conditions horrific for those out on the course and difficult for those in camp.
Photo by Ian Corless
The cooler weather stayed for stage 5, however, it did brighten in the afternoon only to become windy once agin.
Stage 6 was cloudy and wet at the start and it remained that way for most of the day. The rain came, went, and came back again.
Photo by Ian Corless
In brief summary, the 39th edition route introduced competitors new areas of the Sahara and stage 2 was considered the hell stage with a great deal of soft sand. Conditions were variable, despite the strong winds and some rain, cooler temperatures certainly made the race more manageable.
The emotion on the finish line was electric, as always, from first to last, a whole rane of emotions were witnessed, the glow of a medal making the 6-stage, 250km journey a memorable life changing one.
The awards ceremony in Ouarzazate, may well have been the most memorable yet. The film was shown to a huge applause and then, we were all treated to a live performance by Reujen Lista who performed three songs, the last one, of course, Highway to Hell!
Photo by Ian CorlessPhoto by Ian CorlessPhoto by Ian Corless
IAN CORLESS 