Time allowance 12-hours 45-minutes / 0630am and 0800 start (top 150 ranked)
The fall out from the long day is always hard. Bodies are now tired and normally, many would be saying, ‘just a marathon to go!’ But not for the 2024 edition.
Aziz Yachou
Stage 4 is 43.2km’s and to follow, stage 5 and stage 6 at 31.4km and 21.1km respectively.
Travelling north all the way to B3, this is a tough day and probably will be remembered as the soft-sand day, especially as the most challenging terrain comes at the end.
Sand and heat
With 3 CP’s at 10km, 22.9km and 30.1km, the severity of the stage is reflected with ‘additional’ water stations at 17km 37.7km.
Cooling off at the CP’s
While the early km’s allowed for easier terrain with cooler temperatures, the kick is in the tail with relentless sand and dunes from 22km all the way to the finish with increasing heat, expected at a 35-degree high, but feeling much hotter than 40-degrees for the runner’s. A tough day!
Rachid in the early 10km’s
Rachid El Morabity dictated the early pace with Aziz and Mohamed behind.
Mohamed
The trio mixed it up but by the halfway point they were all together.
Two company, three a crowd
In the closing 10km, Rachid made a notable kick and pulled away for the stage win, Aziz and Mohamed behind 3:13:24 for Rachid and 3:14:59 for the duo.
Aziza
Aziz E Amrany has been at another level this year and once again she dominated the stage from the front with another stage win in 4:29:41.
Aziza Raji
Aziza Raji followed looking relaxed and strong with a secure 2nd place in 4:53:08.
Adriana Moser
Sadly, 3rd placed runner Adriana Moser had to withdraw from the race at one of the CP’s opening the door for Gemma Game who has placed 3rd at MDS twice in the past; it maybe three times a charm! However, it was Rajaa Hamdaoua who was 3rd on the stage with 5:09:59.
The spectacle of the Sahara
You can receive daily updates and reports on this website. Follow on IG @iancorlessphotography and @mdslegendary
Stage 3, the feared ‘Long Day’ coming earlier in the race requires respect. Quite simply, with 3 stages still to go, energy management is key. However, it was a decision of the new organisation, to bring the long day earlier to allow participants to be fresher and have more energy for the challenge ahead. Also, with earlier starts, cooler temperatures for the early hours.
The route is a classic and arguably, I would say it is the most beautiful route of all the MDS I have experienced. It’s a tough one though!
From B2 the stoney climb to the summit of Jebel El Otfal is followed by the steep and sandy descent before a long flat run along the plateau before climbing and traversing the ridge of Jebel Joha Baba Ali, for me, one the best parts of the whole race! Another ridge follows before stoney ground and sand leads the route close to Ramlia and CP5. From here, the march continues.
Magical landscape
Ba Halou, Oued Rheris, Ras Kemouna, the salt flats, the iconic El Maharch and then a return to B2. This is a highlight tour of the Sahara that mixes plateau, technical terrain and lots of soft sand.
The 0600 start
With 7 CP’s: 12.5km, 24.5km, 35.2km, 43km, 51km, 63km and 74.5km, the requirement for extra water is important and therefore at CP1, runner’s were provided an additional 1.5ltr bottle so that they could increase their carrying capacity for the stage.
The majority of the field started at 0600 and the top-50 at 0730. While the top men and women would look to push the envelope, the early starts would mean a finish in daylight. For most, this stage is about survival and many went through the night and into the next day to get the job done.
It got hot…
The winds had eased and the temperatures rose reaching a high of 33-degrees on the stage and a ”feel’ of 40-degrees during the mid afternoon. It was certainly a day that took it’s toll with many runner’s requiring attention and of course there were sadly DNF’s – a confirmed number to follow.
Starting 90-minutes after the masses, the top-50 were soon at Jebel El Otfal and the charge lead by Rachid El Morabity for the men and Aziza El Amrany for the women.
Rachid leading early on
After the first ridge, the format was the same, Rachid pusued by his brother Mohamed and Aziz Yachou, with Aziza Raji pursuing her Moroccan friend.
Mohamed takes the lead
By the second ridge, Mohamed was in the lead, Aziz followed and then Rachid, with CP2 close, a plan was coming in to action for the El Morabity brothers, but, what was it?
What followed, was a complete surprise, Mohamed opened up a lead and continued to extend time finishing in a remarkable 7:37:47.
Getting it wrong on Jebel El Otfal
Aziz and Rachid finished in 8:31:52 and 8:31:53 respectively – what just happened? There will be more news to follow on this when I get in to bivouac and discuss with the three protagonists. For now though, Mohamed had the run of his life and Rachid is unlikely (?) to win his 10th MDS.
Yoann Stuck 4th
Yoann Stuck was 4th and Hamid Yachou 5th, 8:46:30 and 9:17:21.
Aziza El Amrany – incredible run
Aziza El Amrany is on fire this year. I have never seen her race and push so hard. It’s impressive, her victory was as equally mind-blowing as Mohamed crossing the line in 10:46:10.
Aziza Raji
Aziza Raji and Adriana Moser once again placed 2nd and 3rd, 11:24:29 and 12:05:06.
Adriana Moser
Day1 passes to day 2 and now those who have pushed through the night have another day to achieve the opportunity to fight another day.
A day of pain for some
You can receive daily updates and reports on this website. Follow on IG @iancorlessphotography and @mdslegendary
Stage 2, a beautiful stage of 40.8km’s travelling north to B2. This area of the Sahara has been used on multiple Marathon des Sables and rightly so, it’s an area that offers excellent terrain and visual splendour.
Breakfast before the start
The opening km’s to 6.3km ease the runner’s into the day and then the following km’s to CP1 at 12km are a challenge that sap energy.
CP2 comes at 25km however, the inclusion of an additional water station at 19.8km makes the stage more manageable.
Cold water at the checkpoints help runner’s cool off
Although the presence of soft-sand is minimal, the terrain is hard and energy sapping. CP2 to CP3 is just 8km (33km total) and then the final run in to 40.8km concludes the day.
Sand, golden light and mountain backdrops
With an 0700 start, camp was alive with. head torches as runner’s prepared for the day. A mild night and finally, the wind disappeared.
Camp life
At the start, temperatures were around 12-degrees and they stayed low till around 0900 and then the mercury rose to a predicted high of 33-degrees.
The first downhill of the day for James Miller (ZA)
Although Rachid El Morabity had a lead early on, the day was very much neutralised for the top runners in Mohamed El Morabity and Aziz Yachou. They have respect for the long day on stage 3 and they all know this will be a crucial decider for potential overall victory.
A variety of terrain for stage 2
Mohamed, Rachid and Aziz all finished roughly together and with stage 2 complete, the time are 5:22:47, 5:23:14 and 5:23:16 for Mohamed, Rachid and Aziz respectively.
Aziza El Amrany unstopple for this 38th edition.
The women’s race had the same format as stage 1 with Aziza El Amrancy forging ahead for another stage win and a more substantial time gain, her time now 6:54:06 in comparison to 7:40:32 for Aziz Raji who also finished 2nd on the stage.
Adriana Moser
Adrianna Moser concluded the stage podium with a now total time of 7:51:49 with Gemma Game and Laurence Klein at 8:04:49 and 8:26:17.
Gemma Game
Stage 3 tomorrow, the long day, starts at 0600 for the majority and the top-50 at 0730. It will be tough day with no wind and rising temperatures.
You can receive daily updates and reports on this website. Follow on IG @iancorlessphotography and @mdslegendary
It’s all change for 2024 and with the race re-using several bivouac locations, the race will have a different feel and format.
Stage 1 MDS The Legendary 2024
Admin day passed yesterday and now everyone feels settled in their new home – a tent shared with 7 other souls. Camp life is becoming normal and anticipation is high. Weather has been ‘cool’ by MDS standards, however, the wind has been relentless with constant sand storms.
The start as sand blew through the Sahara
A key change for 2024 is also earlier start times to allow easier running in cooler temperatures, stage 1 with a scheduled 0700 call and 0730 start. It means morning prep and admin is taken mostly in the dark. Today was ‘chilly’ withe temperatures around 10-deg.
B1 located close to Tafraout offers an excellent location and this area is familiar territory for Marathon des Sables.
Rachid leading early in the race.
The distance 31.1km with 3 checkpoints coming at 9.1km, 16.4km and 24.3km. In many respects, it’s a good stage 1 with mostly hard and runnable terrain and little soft sand. A key feature around 10km’s is Jebel Taourirt Mouchanne and then challenging terrain from 14km to 19km before returning to where the stage started.
Stage 1 is always taken with caution, however, at the front of the race, an earlier start, cooler temperatures and a very runnable day could only mean one thing – a fast day! Temperatures for the early runner’s remained under 20-degs and it was midday bfore temperature reached 23-degrees with a possible high of 27-degrees.
Aziz Yachou
Uncharacteristically, Rachid El Morabity dictated the pace all the way to CP1. He usually starts slow and builds speed, not today, no doubt testing everyone else. He was closely followed by Aziz Yachou, his brother, Mohamed El Morabity and then Aziz’s brother, Hamid.
Aziza El Amrany
For the women, Aziza El Amrany dictated the pace and it was a fast pace building a large margin over the competition, notably Aziza Raji.
Aziza Raji
Quickly after CP1, Rachid eased up, and Aziz passed. Rachid then almost jogged allowing hos brother to pass and Hamid. A surprising tactic.
An early start and a low sun
From the final checkpoint, it all changed again. Now Mohamed leading the charge to the line, Rachid close behind and then Aziz, 2:11:09, 2:11:36 and 2:20:33 respectively with Hamid Yachou taking 4th ahead of Ahmed Ouikhalfen, 2:20:33 and 2:25:46.
Yoann Stuck
Top Brit was John Dewey in 6th, Yoann Stuck from France was 8th.
Aziza with a dominant performance.
Aziza El Amrany was a woman with a mission today, no doubt realising that 2024 is her opportunity for victory. She crossed the line in 2:45:54 and amazingly, past MDS winner, Aziza Raji crossed the line in 3:11:53 – a huge gap after stage 1.
Laurence Klein
Adriana Moser and Gemma Game ran much of the day together and they crossed in 3:12:53 and 3:13:45. MDS legend, Laurence Klein finished 5th in 3:23:13.
The last runner on stage 1 keeping ahead of the camels.
You can receive daily updates and reports on this website. Follow on IG @iancorlessphotography and @mdslegendary
The 2024 and 38th edition of Marathon des Sables is here! MDS The Legendary, the longest edition in the history of the race, 252km’s over 6 timed stages.
Close to 900 participants will toe the line, exact numbers will be confirmed at bivouac 1. With 60 countries represented, France and the UK lead the with 267 and 178 participants respectively.
From the 900 starters, 27% are women; a record. The youngest participant will be Lionel Schneider (16) and the oldest, Harry Hunter who has just turned 75 on April 15th.
Runner’s will arrive in Morocco on April 12th for a transfer to the desert.
Saturday 13th is admin day and then the race schedule is as follows:
April 14 – STAGE 1 – Departure 0700 31.1km and 282m+
April 15 – STAGE 2 – Departure 0700 40.8km and 550m+
April 16 – STAGE 3 (The Long day which will go through to April 17) – Departure 0600 and 0730 for the top 50. 85.3km and 1154m+
April 18 – STAGE 4 – Departure 0630 and 0800 43.1km and 390m+
April 19 – STAGE 5 – Departure 0700 31.4km and 252m+
April 20 – STAGE 6 – Departure 0630 and then transfer back to Ouarzazate 21.1km and 160m+
April 21 – Ouarzazate
April 22 – Home travel
THE ROUTE
Unlike previous editions of MDS, the 2024 route will concentrate on one key area of the Sahara. It makes sense, it is the most beautiful. Therefore the race will not be a point-to-point but a series of journeys and participants will stay in the same bivouac on multiple occasions.
Importantly, Jebel El Otfal, Jebel Joha Baba Ali and the oasis of El Maharch will feature on the ‘long day’ however, there will be no Merzouga dunes during the race.
In summary:
Stage 1 B1 to B1 31.1km and 282m+
Stage 2 B1 to B2 40.8km and 550m+
Stage 3 Is an elaborate series of tracks, B2 back to B2 85.3km and 1154m+
Stage 4 B2 to B3 43.1km and 390m+
Stage 5 B3 to B3 a looped route that makes a heart shape 31.4km and 252m+
Stage 6 B3 to finish 21.1km and 160m+
ONES TO WATCH
MEN
MOHAMED EL MORABITY
As in any MDS, there are the front contenders who will do battle for overall honours, in the men’s category, three obvious names are stand out: Mohamed El Morabity, Rachid El Morabity and Aziz Yachou. All eyes will be on Rachid, he is looking for a 10th MDS title and after the disaster in 2023 when he received a 2-hour time penalty, Rachid will be looking to make amends and make history. Mohamed, Rachids brother took the reigns in 2023 and won, but will this be allowed in 2024? Aziz Yachou gets stronger and stronger every year, he has a battle against the brothers though.
Petter Restrop, Yoann Stuck, Roberto Mastrotto, James Miller, Alessio Zambon, Ahmed Ouikhalfen, Stéphane Ricard,Mérile Robert, Hamid Yachou, Anthony Ginter, Romain Laguigner Abdelhadi Elmoustahli are also ranked as the top contenders, as always, there will be surprises.
WOMEN
AZIZA RAJI
Aziza Raji and Aziza El Amrany fly the Moroccan flag and are of course, top contenders for the podium. The UK’s Gemma Game is returning, she has placed 3rd twice in 2018 and 2019 – is this the year?
Lai King Chan, Adriana Moser, Saskia Plaucheur, Marie Houdusse, Amélie Ginter, Ninette Banoun, Magdalena Kalus, Alexandra Bailly, Annę Godefroy, Nina Stein and Katherine Beckingham are all in with a shout of top-10 and maybe the podium.
STORIES
AMY PALMIERO WINTERS
The MDS is always a place for stories, challenges, inspiration and adventure and the 38th edition will be no different. Often, these stories unfold as the race happens.
Mr MDS, Christian Ginter is back for his 36th edition, yes, his 36th! Rory Coleman from the UK return for his 16th and in and amongst these two highlight names, we will have new stories to follow and inspire us.
INTERESTING FACTS
In an effort to reduce the environmental impact of such a huge race, the MDS has taken some key measures.
In 2023 50 lorries were used, for 2024 this will be 20. In 2023 157 4×4 vehicles have been reduced to 78. A helicopter as per usual will be available for emergency use only. This equates to a 47% reduction I carbon emissions.
In addition, chartered flights were reduced to just 3 planes with an encouragement for participants to choose commercial options.
The use of local services has been increased using local staff, vehicles, trophies made in Morocco, and the catering team for staff will be all Moroccan with 100% of produce local and a reduction in chicken and beef.
In addition, checkpoints will have solar power and all communication relays utilise solar too.
Waste management has been improved and a key move has been to eradicate 1.5ltr bottles and replace with 5ltr.
Safety has always been a key concern and for 2024 there is an increase in medical staff, 65 up from 56, there 9 SSV rapid response vehicles, up from 4 in 2023. There will be 9 4×4 vehicles and new for 2024, 3 MTB riders and 9 runner’s who will participate on the race route offering immediate medical response. A medical point will be in the centre of bivouac so that immediate attention can be given if required.
ADVENTURE AWAITS
The 38th edition is now waiting to unfold. It’s a new era for the race. Let the adventure begin, MDS The Legendary makes history.
You can receive daily updates and reports on this website. Follow on IG @iancorlessphotography and @mdslegendary
Episode 246 of Talk Ultra is with Nicki Marsh as we countdown to Marathon des Sables – The Legendary. With a 50th birthday looming in 2024 Nicki had been toying with lots of ideas of how to celebrate… The only thing that truly excited me (and could fit around work!) was MDS. Her husband had done it in 2017 and said never again. However, it took him all of 30 seconds to agree to do it again, with Nicki!
“I have degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis, 4 foot surgeries on and another one on the cards I am determined to keep moving. My goal for the race when we entered was to get to the start line, then do the best I can to finish, the plan was to walk. I believe setting the right goals helps you develop the right mindset and avoid disappointment.”
Episode 245 of Talk Ultra is with Ferdinand Charriau, head of communications for Marathon des Sable – The Legendary. In this podcast we discuss the final details as the 2024 edition is just weeks away.
The stock cubes provide a better and less aggressive provision of salt.
Water rations will not be as strict as in previous years, for example, at a CP, if you have 2 x 750ml bottles and a 500ml soft-flask, you can fill all three.
A 1.5ltr bottle will be issued at CP1 on the ‘long day’ so that it is possible to have a 3ltr capacity for the ‘long day!’
CP distances will be as usual 10 to 13km apart. HOWEVER, there will be intermediate water stations now, say at 6km +/- so you can access additional water.
There will be cold water at CP’s (not to drink) but the medical team will pour cold water to cool body temperature.
Stage starts will be between 0600 and 0730 depending on the stage and the length. For example, the ‘long-day’ will start at 0600. Most days will start around 0700 to 0730.
Email in printed format will not be provided. There will also be no email tent. However, there will be IP phones available for emergency use only. MDS ideally do not want you to use them, but, the option is there.
Mobile phones are allowed BUT you must not use them in bivouac – You must leave the camp in communicate in an isolated place. However, the MDS recommend being disconnected – be with yourself, and your tent mates.
Foot care will be as good if not better than before.
There will be fast response vehicles too – extra security en-route
There will also be medical runners – They will wear an orange bib and they will run the route for immediate response on the course.
There will be live tracking – access via the MDS website so people at home can follow.
Fuel blocks – If you have problems taking fuel. Fuel will be available in B1 and there will be enough for well over 200 people.
There will be a MDS shop in B1 selling all the mandatory kit – just in case!
Make sure you travel wearing your run apparel and carry you pack.
Meeting point is Ouarzazate airport on Friday 12th from 0800.
Be patient on arrival for passport control.
Bus transfer to B1 is approximately 6-hours. You will be given the road book. Also a lunch pack will be provided.
At B1 you will be provided a 5Ltr bottle of water, there will be a welcome briefing and then self-sufficiency starts.
There will be NO hot water provision in camp. If you want hot water, you provide it yourself.
Admin day will have a significant change and will be done via tents and not numbers as in the past, this will mean less wait time and more opportunity to sit in the shade.
Make sure you have original medical documents for admin day.
It’s important to have the minimum 2000 calories per day, but at admin, the team will not be very strict. Take personal responsibility. Have your food in bags for each day and then state the total calories in each bag.
There will be a medical emergency tent in the middle of bivouac. There will be more staff in the runner’s bivouac.
If there are any questions – email, contact on social media or call. The MDS team are available for you.
Wednesday 27th there will be an English and French broadcast.
There will be some new surprises, to be revealed in bivouac!
Episode 3 of the Marathon des Sables – The Legendary podcast is with Alexander Welch.
Alexander toed the line of the 2021 MDS but things did not go to plan… It was the year of excessive heat and Norovirus in bivouac. A year when 50% did not finish the race. However, the DNF for Alex raised some demons.
“I participated in the 2021 October edition of MDS and was medically removed at checkpoint 2 on day 3. Being only 25 years old at the time, and having never failed at anything prior, this was a massive mental blow for me.”
Falling into a downward spiral. Alexander’s life tumbled; as a coping mechanism, he turned to excessive drinking and substance abuse, this impacted on work, relationships and his own mental health.
“This went on until about November 2023 where I reached out for help of my former tent mates (4 of which are also returning in April 2024). I managed , with their support, to pull myself out of the degenerative cycle that had encapsulated my life for almost 12 months. This culminated in signing up for the MDS 2024.”
When I reached out for MDS stories, I knew I would find some remarkable people and MC is most definitely remarkable.
“I am MC, a 37-year old mum of two. I’m a terrible runner and not an athlete. I have never done a half-marathon until late 2023. But I am doing MDS in April.”
It was one of those introductions that had me asking, why?
“In 2015 my mum suffered a very sudden and horrific illness which left her paralysed from the neck down and reliant on a ventilator to breathe. My mum is locked in her body and has little outdoor space, so, I am doing MDS to raise funds for the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability”
“I am running to raise money to build a new and safe garden, where residents can sit independently and share time with their families. You don’t need me to tell you that being outdoors, surrounded by nature is so incredibly important to our mental health. This new garden will change lives (my mum’s, her fellow residents’ and all the families’) and take a huge pressure off the staff who so lovingly dedicate their lives to caring for others.”
Now is the time to make all the final preparations for a goal that you have been building towards for 6-months, 1-year or maybe even years.
DON’T PANIC.
If you have got this far, you are in a great place.
There is time for one last key week of training, adding the final touches to make sure you are in the best shape possible, BUT, after this week you need to start easing things back, looking after yourself and allowing your body to recover, rest and get ready for what may be one of the biggest weeks of your life?
MEDICAL
Make sure you have all the medical requirements fulfilled and an up to date ECG as specified in MDS rules and regulations.
The organization’s medical certificate (to download from your online account from March 11th 2024) and the resting electrocardiogram (ECG) report plus graph, dated less than 30 days before the start of the race, i.e. from March 12th 2024, are to be presented during the administrative, technical and medical checks on 13th of April 2024. Only the original documents, dated and signed, will be accepted (unvalid photocopy). Failure to present these documents will incur penalties (see ART.27 et 28). The signature and the stamp of the doctor must be applied on them.
The electrocardiogram of effort is advised for participants over 40 years. It is not compulsory and does not replace the ECG at rest and its plan. This can be joined to the medical certificate and presented in Morocco.
TRAINING
From a training perspective, what may the next weeks looks like? Well, we are all individuals, we all have different abilities, we all have different goals, we all have different free time and the list could go on. However, I have found over the years that using a ‘percentage’ taper works across the board, irrespective of the person.
Race date: 14th April 2024
Taper schedule:
Week 4: 17th March
Week 3: 24th March
Week 2: 31st March
Week 1: 7th April
If we look at the weeks above, a taper to Marathon des Sables could look like as follows:
Week 4: 80%
Week 3: 60%
Week 2: 40%
Week 1: 20%
The percentages are based as a percentage of what would be week 5, starting 10th March. For simplicity, let’s assume that week 5 is your last big training week and it was 100km or 12-hours.
The Taper:
Week 4: 80km or 9.6 hours
Week 3: 60km or 7.2 hours
Week 2: 40km or 4.8 hours
Week 1: 20km or 2.4 hours
Importantly, keep the balance of training days the same. If you typically run 5-days a week, maintain those 5-days and reduce the volume/ intensity.
Your body needs to keep alert and active. So make sure you add some stimulus in this taper period, short periods of faster running and/ or hill work are ideal. However, do all this with the priority not to get injured. Now is not the time to get a niggle, a sprain or a problem.
ACCLIMATE
In the final two weeks of taper you need to hone in on acclimation to heat and prepare the body.
Don’t leave this to the last minute, plan ahead, especially if using a heat chamber. Heat chambers are limited and obviously, time slots are limited.
If you do not have access to a heat chamber think of other options: sauna, hot baths, bikram yoga, adding layers when running, or if you are lucky with time, arrive in Morocco early and taper in a real situation.
EQUIPMENT
You will have been mulling over equipment for months and you may well have tweaked and changed your choices. Now, with 4-weeks to go, this is the time to make sure you have everything you need and also understand what it all weighs.
Clothes must be comfortable and not rub.
Shoes fit perfectly, give no hot spots and are suitable for the desert environment and have gaiters.
Socks work for you.
Sleeping bag is light and warm.
Sleeping mat
Food
Mandatory kit
Top Tip –
Use LighterpackHERE to list all your equipment. You can see an example HERE that I used for a trip climbing in the Atlas Mountains. This is a great way to look at everything and make sure you have nothing missing.
Keep luxuries to an absolute minimum, they only add weight.
Pack and re-pack your pack to make sure you have the most comfortable solution and importantly, you have immediate access to essential items.
Read my Top 20 Tips HERE which provides a great overview of all the things you need to consider now in this final phase.
FOOD
You need a minimum of 2000 calories per day. Lay food out for each day and have a spreadsheet that itemises everything and shows the weight and calories.
Where possible, re-package food in smaller and lighter packaging. Particularly important with dehydrated meals. Read HERE
TRAVEL
Travel in your run clothing including your run shoes with the gaiters. Yes, you are going to look somewhat ‘special’ at the airport but trust me, luggage goes missing and you do not want to be the person standing in the Sahara watching your dream slip away because of lost luggage. Equally, take your run pack with all contents for the race as carry-on. You can take pretty much take everything: food, sleeping bag, essentials etc. However, check with your airline what can and cannot go on the plane.
Put your main luggage in the hold and here you can take spares, extras and options. MDS varies considerably in temperature, we get hot and cold years. Never assume it will be hot, it may not be. Before admin day you can fine tune your ‘race kit’ with more or less layers.
Purchase food and drinks at the airport to take on the plane. Also consider when you land in Morocco, you will have an approximate 6-hour bus journey to bivouac 1, take food and drink with you for this trip.
Have cash with you, depending on which airline you use, card payments are not always possible, also, in Morocco, cash is king.
ARRIVAL
You will arrive in Morocco from London or Paris on one of the arranged flights on Friday 12th April. If you are not on one of these flights, you need to be at Ouarzazate airport (typically for 0900) on the same day.
Runners will then fill buses, road books will be given and then you transfer to the desert. Expect 6-hours.
At bivouac you will find your tent and settle in.
REMEMBER food is now NOT provided and you therefore need to feed yourself on arrival day and admin day. There are no restrictions on weight or calories here, so, take as much as you want and plenty of variety, this includes drinks. Only water will be in camp.
As mentioned above, until admin, you have your luggage with you, so, you can have more layers, a more comfortable inflatable bed and some luxuries – consider what will make these days more pleasurable and comfortable.
ADMIN DAY
On admin day, prepare all your kit and make sure you have everything prepared and ready. Also make sure you have all mandatory and essential kit. Once you have passed through admin, your luggage is taken away and you will not see it again until after the race.
Race self-sufficiency actually only starts the following day with stage 1.
Admin can take a while, so make sure you take liquid and snacks and my top-tip is take an umbrella to protect from standing in the direct heat.
IAN CORLESS 