This edition marks the 40th anniversary of the MDS Legendary. Four decades of runners crossing the Sahara under their own power. As we move through March, I’m sharing a short series of weekly articles to help sharpen your preparation. This is the fourth of four.
By now, the nerves are real. Anticipation is building. And yes, stress might be creeping in too. That’s normal. You’re about to take on one of the toughest endurance races on the planet. But here’s the truth: the hard work is already done.
Now, the focus shifts.
Ease Back to Move Forward
It’s tempting to squeeze in one last long run. Don’t.
At this stage, there’s nothing to gain and everything to lose. Fatigue and injury are the only likely outcomes. Instead, keep sessions short and purposeful. Stay loose. Stay sharp. This is taper time. Think of it as recharging your battery so you arrive on the start line fresh, not drained.
Prepare for the Heat
If you can, use these final days to adapt to the heat. It doesn’t need to be perfect, but every little bit helps.
Hot yoga, saunas, hot baths, even treadmill sessions with extra layers can all make a difference. If you have access to a heat chamber, even better. The Sahara is unforgiving, and any adaptation you build now will pay off when it matters most.
Plan Everything, Then Simplify
Now is the time to get meticulous.
Lay everything out. Build a spreadsheet if that helps. Go item by item through your kit. Ask yourself what you truly need.
Weight matters. Every gram counts when it’s on your back for multiple days. Strip out the luxuries. Be ruthless. The goal is to go as light as possible without compromising safety or performance.
The same applies to food. Check your calories. Repack if needed. Remove excess packaging. Make sure what you carry is efficient, practical, and something you can actually eat under stress.
Get the Admin Right
Details matter here.
Medical certificates must be correct and meet all race requirements, especially your ECG. Don’t assume, double-check.
Photo by Ian Corless
Your passport needs to be valid. It sounds obvious, but it catches people out every year. Confirm your travel documents, bookings, and transfers. Know your plan from departure to arrival.
The goal is simple: remove every possible source of stress before you leave.
Travel Smart
Wear your race kit when you travel. That includes your shoes and gaiters.
Your race pack should go as carry-on, with all essential gear inside. The only items that should go in checked luggage are those that have to, like a knife or trekking poles.
If checked luggage gets delayed, you’ll still be able to race. That’s the mindset.
Protect Your Health
This part might feel extreme, but it’s important.
Avoid unnecessary contact with others. A cold or virus now could undo months of work. Skip handshakes, hugs, and shared food or drinks. A simple “Namaste” with hands together works just fine.
Avoid salads or anything that might carry risk. Stick to well-cooked, straightforward meals. This isn’t the time to experiment with local cuisine.
Bring your own food for travel and the days before the race. Remember, you’re self-sufficient even before the start. Having familiar food and drink helps you stay relaxed and in control.
Use the Bivouac to Your Advantage
Before admin, your luggage stays with you in the bivouac. Use this.
Bring spares. Extra layers. Small options that allow you to adjust based on real conditions. The desert can surprise you, and this is your chance to fine-tune your setup before committing fully.
Be Ready
Have a clear plan for admin. Know what’s required. Be organized.
Then shift your focus forward.
Stage 1 is coming.
Photo by Ian Corless
Trust the Process
You’ve done the training. You’ve made the sacrifices. You’ve earned your place on that start line.
Now it’s about arriving calm, prepared, and ready to embrace what’s ahead.
Because this isn’t just a race.
It’s a journey. An experience that will stay with you long after the dust has settled.
Take a breath. Stay focused. And get ready for the adventure of a lifetime.
Marathon des Sables: What a Week in the Desert Really Looks Like
The Marathon des Sables has always been legendary. In 2026, it becomes something even more special.
This edition marks the 40th anniversary of the race. Four decades of runners crossing the Sahara under their own power. Forty years of stories, struggle, and unforgettable moments. To honour that history, the 2026 race will be longer, tougher, and designed to celebrate everything the event has become.
As we move through March, I’m sharing a short series of weekly articles to help sharpen your preparation. This is the third of four. The goal is simple: remove uncertainty.
When you arrive in the desert, you should know what to expect.
For many runners, especially first-timers, the unknowns can feel overwhelming. What happens when you arrive in Morocco?
How does the bivouac work?
What does a typical day look like?
And how do the logistics of such a remote race actually function?
Let’s walk through it together.
The Evolution of the Race
The Marathon des Sables has changed over the years, and many of those changes focus on reducing environmental impact.
Past participants will notice significant differences. Charter planes have been removed. More transport now happens overland. The race increasingly relies on local staff and local produce. Media presence has been reduced. A storage centre in Morocco limits the need for shipping equipment every year. Transport trucks have been reduced, and power-saving measures are everywhere, including solar energy.
Water management has also evolved. In the past, runners received 1.5-litre bottles. Today, the race distributes 5-litre bottles, dramatically reducing plastic use during the event.
Behind the scenes is a large support structure dedicated to safety.
• Around 120 medical staff, known as the Orange Jackets, monitor runner safety 24 hours a day.
• The Blue Jackets focus on runner relations. They are present in the bivouac, on the course, and at checkpoints. If you have a question or concern, they are your first point of contact.
Out on the course, SSV vehicles provide rapid access across the route and carry medical professionals for immediate response. In addition, there are 12 support 4×4 vehicles and a unique system of 40 camel patrol teams. These local teams monitor specific zones and report any issues quickly.
Add to that 20 medical patrol staff on the course and another 25 blue and orange jacket team members, and you begin to see how carefully the race is supported despite its remote setting.
Arriving in Morocco
Your journey begins in Ouarzazate, the meeting point for the race.
Plan to arrive at least one day early. This gives you time to settle in and avoids unnecessary stress before the adventure begins. Hotels are your responsibility to book.
The organisation provides free transfers from Marrakech to Ouarzazate, usually departing from the airport and a designated hotel. Always check official timings before travelling.
Photo by Ian Corless
On Day 1, buses depart from Ouarzazate for the first bivouac. The journey takes roughly six hours across spectacular desert landscapes. A lunch pack is provided, but it’s wise to bring extra snacks and drinks.
When you arrive at the bivouac, you’ll be assigned a tent number. Remember you are self-sufficient in regard to food, water is provided. For the moment, you still have access to your luggage. The following day, after administrative checks, you will deposit that luggage and begin the self-sufficient part of the race.
From this point forward, the desert becomes your home.
Life in the Bivouac
Bivouac life is simple. Very simple.
There are no showers and no power. You live under traditional desert tents with seven other runners. It can feel crowded when everyone is organising gear, so respect each other’s space and keep things tidy.
There are a few practical rules that quickly become important:
• Toilets are installed throughout the bivouac and at checkpoints.
• Some toilets are designated women-only or mixed-use, and it’s important to respect those arrangements.
• Biodegradable hygiene bags are provided and waste is separated into organic and sanitary bins.
Phones are strongly discouraged in camp. The bivouac is meant to be a place for rest, conversation, and disconnection. If you need to make an emergency call, move away from camp out of respect for others.
There is also an IP phone available for emergency calls, costing €2 per minute.
Another change from previous years is the removal of the email message system. This reinforces the race’s self-sufficient spirit and saves thousands of sheets of paper that were previously used to print messages.
Instead, runners can use Emotion Boxes to record short video messages that are sent to loved ones. You need to designate before the race who these messages will be sent to.
At the centre of camp sits the Info Tent, where Blue Jackets are always present. This is where you:
• collect your daily water
• ask questions
• check rankings
• access medical support if needed
Additional facilities include women’s changing cabins and sanitary products available both in the bivouac and at checkpoints.
A few other important bivouac rules:
• Never light a fire within 50 cm of tents
• Do not walk barefoot
• Drop empty water bottles at designated recycling points
• On bivouac move days, return containers to the Info Tent
It may sound strict, but these rules keep the camp safe, clean, and functioning smoothly.
You will go through administrative, technical, and medical checks, while the MDS shop opens nearby. At the shop you can purchase WAA apparel, fire bricks and any other last-minute things you may have forgotten or need.
Each runner receives one 5-litre bottle of mineral water, which must last until the first checkpoint of the race.
Before heading to the checks, prepare the required documents:
• Passport
• Completed technical control form
• Medical certificate
• Resting electrocardiogram (ECG)
During the admin process you will:
1. Deposit your luggage (it will later be returned to you in Ouarzazate).
2. Present your documents and mandatory equipment.
3. Have your race pack weighed.
4. Undergo medical verification.
5. Receive your GPS beacon.
6. Submit your technical control form and receive two race bibs.
If you need to discard a personal item listed on your form later, you must inform the organisation or risk a penalty.
Later in the day:
• 4:30 PM – Stage briefing
Photo by Ian Corless
• 6:00 PM – 40th anniversary photo session
The race is now very real.
A Typical Day in the Desert
Every stage day follows a similar rhythm. Wake up will typically be around 0400 to 0500.
Breakfast is self-sufficient, using the food you’ve carried with you.
Stage tart times vary, but be prepared and ready for 05:30. If temperatures are high, the start may move earlier. Plan for at least 90 minutes of preparation before the start.
Thirty minutes before the stage begins, you must be ready. The race starts on time and no one is held back.
Out on the course, each checkpoint typically between 8-10km’s provides:
• water distribution
• medical presence
• toilets and hygiene supplies
At the finish line, you receive a 5-litre bottle of water, which must last until the first checkpoint the following day. To clarify, you need to drink, cook dinner, wash (if you can spare the water), make breakfast and fill bottles ready to last to CP1 all from the 5ltr bottle.
Each evening the Info Tent and medical clinic are open.
Safety in the Desert
Despite the race’s self-sufficient nature, medical support is extensive. Assistance is available before, during, and after every stage. However, runners are expected to understand basic foot care, which is essential during multi-day desert racing.
For more serious problems, the Dokever medical team takes over.
If you must withdraw from the race, you must notify the organisation. In emergencies, medical evacuation will occur. For non-emergency withdrawals, transport will be arranged back to Ouarzazate, but hotel and food costs will be your responsibility.
At night during a stage, headlamps are mandatory.
Navigation and Desert Conditions
The course is marked clearly and all checkpoints are mandatory. Cutting across the course is forbidden.
Compass headings in the road book are provided as guidance if visibility becomes poor. Know how to use a compass and take a bearing!
Sandstorms
If a sandstorm arrives:
• protect your eyes – you need good glasses and ideally goggles
• cover your nose and mouth typically with a Buff or similar
• stay close to other runners
Photo by Ian Corless
If visibility drops, stop moving and immediately remove compass and take a bearing for the direction of travel. When conditions improve you can move again relying on the compass bearing to ensure you are going in the correct direction.
If you stray from the course, the organisation will receive an alert from your GPS beacon and locate you.
If You Become Lost
It is highly unlikely that you become lost at MDS, however, it is possible to stray of course and feel disorientated. If you cannot see course markings for ten minutes:
1. Stop and assess your position.
2. Climb a small rise if possible to scan the horizon.
3. Backtrack for up to ten minutes if necessary.
Remember, you have a tracker, so, MDS organisation will know where you are and will be able to find you – do not panic.
As a last resort, activate the SOS function on your GPS beacon.
Distress signals can also be made using whistle blasts or torch flashes at night
To alert SOS with a whistle, the internationally recognized distress signal is three short, sharp blasts, followed by a pause, and then repeated. While the full Morse code for SOS is three short, three long, and three short blasts, the simplified “three blasts” method is more commonly used in disaster preparedness to call for help.
To alert SOS with a torch, flash the light in a repeating pattern of three short flashes, three long flashes, and three short flashes.
Medical Requirements
All runners declare medical information during registration.
During race checks, you must present:
• an original medical certificate
• a resting ECG
Photo by Ian Corless
Failure to provide these documents results in disqualification, though emergency testing may be available on site for a €200 fee.
Medical staff specialise in sports and tropical medicine and operate throughout the race.
They also have the authority to withdraw any runner deemed medically unfit to continue.
The Stages
The 2026 race covers approximately 270 kilometres +/- across the Sahara. Total elevation gain will be around 2500m +/-
Confirmed distances will be in the road book, anticipate the following +/- km’s.
Stages include:
• Stage 1: 37 km
• Stage 2: 41 km
• Stage 3: 29 km
• Stage 4: 100 km (You have two days to complete this stage.)
• Stage 5: 42 km
• Stage 6: 21 km
Photo by Ian Corless
To complete the race properly, runners must carry enough food to provide at least 14,000 calories. Remember, this is the minimum, you may well need more than this, so, balance calorie requirement and weight carefully.
The runner is self-sufficient and must carry ALL they need for the whole race, water the only exception.
After Each Stage
Once you reach the bivouac again, recovery begins immediately. You will receive a 5ltr water allocation which must last to CP1 the next day. Stage 4 an exception due to the rest day where extra water will be allocated.
Photo by Ian Corless
Start with a recovery drink before preparing food.
Important – take off your shoes and socks right away. Let your feet breathe and inspect them carefully while you are waiting for water to boil or, you are waiting for a meal to hydrate.
Eat a meal within 1-hour of finishing the stage.
Changing into clean or warmer clothing can make a huge difference. It allows running gear to dry and gives a mental reset for the next day. However, you also need to balance weight – keep ‘extras’ to an absolute minimum.
Sleep and rest is another priority. A sleeping mat helps enormously for rest, relaxation and sleep comfort. Your sleeping bag must be light but warm enough for desert nights. We are all different, so know what you need.
Be meticulous with your gear. Eight runners share each tent, and it can quickly become cluttered. Keep your bag packed and store items immediately after using them. Desert winds or sudden sandstorms can easily carry equipment away, especially lightweight items like sleeping mats.
Photo by Ian Corless
A Buff around your neck is invaluable. It lets you cover your nose, mouth, eyes, and ears quickly when conditions change.
Many tent groups also create a simple cooking area using stones and small branches for fire. Often the first runner back begins preparing the cooking area for everyone else.
Over time, these small routines become part of the experience.
And the bivouac itself becomes something special.
You will share the tent with people from all over the world. You will go through highs and lows together. Some moments will be difficult. Others unforgettable.
Many runners say the friendships formed here last a lifetime.
That is the spirit of Marathon des Sables.
After the Finish on Stage 6
Cross the finish line of the final stage and you will receive your medal, water allocation, and a packed lunch.
Photo by Ian Corless
Then you board a bus back to Ouarzazate. Buses leave as soon as they are full, so, no need to hang around and wait for ages.
The bus will take you to your specific hotel and your luggage will be waiting at your hotel.
What comes next is simple but glorious:
a shower…
then another shower…
and maybe one more.
Clean clothes.
A real bed.
A proper meal.
The following day is free to relax and explore. Remember the MDS shop! Later in the afternoon there is a dinner, awards ceremony, and celebration party.
Photo by Ian Corless
After that, the journey home begins.
But the memories of the desert tend to stay with you far longer.
The Marathon des Sables has a way of becoming far more complicated than it needs to be. Spend five minutes online and you’ll find spreadsheets, gear breakdowns to the gram, and endless debates about socks.
Here’s the truth. It’s a multi-day race in the desert where you carry your own kit, manage your energy, and keep moving forward. That’s it.
Yes, details matter. But simplicity wins.
The 2026 Marathon des Sables – The Legendary is not just another year in the desert. It marks 40 years of the race. That alone tells you something about what’s coming. This edition matters. It will be longer, tougher, and built to celebrate the history of the event properly.
As we move through March, I will release weekly articles to help you sharpen your preparation. This is the second of four. The aim here is simple: give you clarity. No surprises. No guesswork.
Below is a broader, more grounded take on what to focus on, including some of the small, often overlooked realities that make a big difference once you’re out there.
Start With This Mindset
You are not preparing for comfort. You are preparing for control.
Control of your energy.
Photo by Ian Corless
Control of your hydration.
Control of your thoughts when things get hard.
The desert strips away noise. What’s left is you, your pack, and the next checkpoint.
1. Your Pack: Fit Over Fashion
You’ll see a lot of the same packs on the start line. The WAA 20L Ultra Bag is extremely common because it was built specifically for races like this.
But popular doesn’t mean perfect.
A pack should sit close to your body without bouncing. It shouldn’t pull on your shoulders or rub your lower back raw by day three. Try it loaded. Walk in it. Run dunes in it if you can.
Photo by Ian Corless
Smaller is usually better. If you give yourself space, you’ll fill it. And once your food weight drops midweek, too much space means constant shifting and irritation.
Getting close to the 6.5 kg minimum isn’t about ego. It’s about reducing cumulative fatigue. Every unnecessary gram is lifted thousands of times over the week.
2. Sleep Is Recovery, Not Luxury
You don’t need a five-star sleep system. But you do need rest.
A sleeping bag choice should reflect how you actually sleep at home. If you’re always cold, don’t suddenly become brave in the Sahara. Cold nights drain energy quickly.
A lightweight down jacket is incredibly useful. Brands like Mont Bell, Haglöfs, Yeti, and Nordisk all make reliable options. It doubles as camp insulation and extra warmth inside your bag.
Random but important: cover your head at night. Even a simple buff makes a difference.
And yes, take a sleeping mat. After several hours in the heat, lying on hard ground feels far less heroic than it sounds.
3. Clothing: Function Only
Nobody cares what you look like by stage four.
Choose clothing you’ve already trained in. Check underarms, inner thighs, lower back, and anywhere straps sit. If something rubs slightly at home, it will tear skin in the desert.
Photo by Ian Corless
A spare pair of socks is wise. Changing into dry socks after a long stage feels surprisingly restorative.
Some runners like having a lightweight long sleeve or leggings just for evenings. It’s less about warmth and more about feeling human again after a tough day.
4. Shoes and Gaiters: Non-Negotiable
Shoes must be tested, broken in, and reliable.
Slightly wider can help accommodate swelling. But oversized shoes create movement. Movement creates friction. Friction creates blisters.
Aim for a thumbnail’s space beyond your longest toe.
Gaiters are essential. Sand will find its way in otherwise, and constant grit inside your shoe is demoralising.
Small thought: practise emptying sand quickly and calmly. You’ll do it often.
5. Food: Think Beyond Calories
Yes, you must carry at least 2,000 calories per day.
But calories alone aren’t the whole story. Appetite changes. Sweet fatigue is real. By midweek, many runners crave savoury food.
Recovery nutrition right after each stage can speed up how you feel the next morning. Even a small protein-based drink helps.
Also consider practicality. If you skip a stove, make sure your meals work with cold water. And if you’re someone who needs coffee to function, plan for it. Tiny comforts can have a big psychological impact.
6. Water Strategy: Be Flexible
You must be able to carry at least 1.5 litres, usually via two 750 ml front bottles.
Soft flasks and bladders are lighter, but they can puncture. Rigid bottles are heavier but durable.
Have the capacity to carry an additional 1.5 litres if required. In extreme heat or on longer stages, the race has sometimes increased water allowances.
Practice drinking steadily rather than chugging. Drink to thirst before the race starts. Overhydrating early doesn’t help.
7. Salt and Electrolytes: Plan It Yourself
Salt tablets are no longer handed out.
You must start with 14 stock cubes as part of the requirements, but that’s just one element. Test your electrolyte strategy in training. Don’t experiment for the first time in Morocco.
Cramps in the middle of a long stage are not where you want surprises.
8. Your Feet: Your Entire World
If your feet fail, your race fails.
Trim nails carefully before the event. Know which socks work for you. Consider taping strategies only if you’ve tested them.
After each stage:
Remove shoes immediately.
Clean sand off.
Let skin dry.
Deal with hot spots early.
Blister management is part of the race. The medical team is experienced, but prevention is always easier than repair.
9. Heat Preparation
The final two weeks are ideal for heat acclimation.
Sauna sessions. Hot baths. Controlled heat chamber work. Even Bikram yoga.
The goal isn’t to exhaust yourself. It’s to teach your body to manage elevated core temperature more efficiently.
Arriving heat-adapted reduces stress from day one.
10. Taper Properly
In the final weeks, you don’t gain fitness. You protect it.
You want to feel slightly restless at the start line, not tired.
11. Learn to Walk Well
This surprises many first-timers.
You may not run as much as you think. Dunes, heat, pack weight, and long stages change expectations quickly.
Photo by Ian Corless
Practice strong, efficient walking. Especially uphill. Keep posture tall. Use arms deliberately.
Fast walking wins time and saves energy.
12. Poles: Train With Them or Leave Them
Poles can feel like four-wheel drive in soft sand and on climbs.
Lightweight folding carbon poles from brands like Black Diamond and Leki are common.
But poles only help if you’ve trained with them. Poor technique wastes energy. Good technique saves it.
13. Keep Equipment Minimal
Every “just in case” item adds up.
Ask: will this meaningfully improve my race?
Your pack should sit close to 6.5 kg. The only luxury many runners truly appreciate is a lightweight way to listen to music.
Interestingly, many also discover they don’t miss their phone at all.
14. Tent Life
You’ll share a tent with seven others.
These people become your support system. You’ll hear their breathing at night. You’ll see their low moments and your own reflected back.
Choose tent mates wisely if you can. The camaraderie becomes one of the most powerful parts of the week.
15. Travel and Admin Realities
Wear your running shoes and kit on the plane. Carry your pack as ‘carry-on’ with as much of your race kit as possibe. Lost luggage does happen.
Bring your own snacks for travel days. The transfer from Marrakech is quite long, so is the transfer to bivouac one. MDS do provide lunch packs as and when applicable, always good to be self sufficient.
The first two nights in bivouac are self-sufficient, plan accordingly for food. Take comfort items you’re happy to give away before racing begins, for example, you may take a larger/ heavier inflatable bed.
Admin day can take 1-2 hours. Bring water, snacks, sun protection, even an umbrella for shade. Stay patient.
Have additional items such as a base layer, sleeping bag liner and other items that may be on a ‘question’ list for the race. On night 1 and before you go to admin, you can make final decisions of what to and what not to take. Particularly important if you think you may be cold at night.
After bag check-in, you drop your luggage and no longer have access to extra gear. Make sure you have everything you need for the race! But full self-sufficiency only begins when the race starts, so you can enjoy small comforts until then.
Bring a simple repair kit. Zips break. Gaiters tear. The desert is unforgiving.
16. The Mental Game
At some point, you will question why you signed up.
That moment passes.
The Marathon des Sables isn’t just about endurance. It’s about staying calm when you’re tired. Staying steady when others surge. Accepting discomfort without drama.
Highs and lows are part of the rhythm. If it were easy, it wouldn’t matter.
Final Thought
The desert simplifies everything.
There’s no clutter. No constant notifications. No daily noise. Just sun, sand, wind, and the quiet focus of moving forward.
Whether you finish near the front or close to the cutoff, the experience is transformative.
It reminds you how little you actually need, and how much you’re capable of carrying.
MDS is a hark back to a more primitive time, a time without clutter and modern technology. Embrace this. Embrace the silence of the surroundings and the simplicity of placing one foot in front of the other.
The 2026 Marathon des Sables – The Legendary is not just another year in the desert. It marks 40 years of the race. That alone tells you something about what’s coming. This edition matters. It will be longer, tougher, and built to celebrate the history of the event properly.
As we move through March, I will release weekly articles to help you sharpen your preparation. This is the first of four. The aim here is simple: give you clarity. No surprises. No guesswork.
Photo by Ian Corless
The Shape of the 2026 Race
If you raced in 2025, you already experienced the longest edition in MDS history. In 2026, the format stays similar but the distance increases again.
Six stages. Seven days. All timed.
Photo by Ian Corless
In previous years, the charity stage was not timed. That changed in 2025 and continues in 2026. Every stage now counts.
The long stage returns to Stage 4, just as it did in 2025. This time it will be 100km. Read that again. One hundred kilometres across two days in the desert.
Photo by Ian Corless
While total distance has fluctuated over the years, 250km has often been the benchmark. For 2026, you should plan for approximately 270km plus or minus. It should not shock you. But it will test you.
One positive? Depending on how quickly you complete the long stage, you may have almost a full day and night to recover before Stages 5 and 6. That recovery window could be valuable.
Daily stage distances are rarely confirmed in advance. It remains unclear whether exact distances will be released before arrival in Morocco. Historically, that information is kept quiet. Still, it’s not hard to estimate how the race could look.
Photo by Ian Corless
A likely outline might be:
Stage 1: 32km (Day 1) – total 32km
Stage 2: 38km (Day 2) – total 70km
Stage 3: 36km (Day 3) – total 106km
Stage 4: 100km (Days 4 and 5) – total 206km
Stage 5: 42km (Day 6) – total 248km
Stage 6: 21km (Day 7) – total 269km
Total: approximately 269km +/-
As in 2025, expect sand. A lot of it. Expect the Merzouga Dunes. Do not expect Djebel El Otfal.
You now have a working template to mentally prepare for the challenge ahead.
Before the Race Even Starts
Your race does not begin at the start line. It begins with logistics.
Photo by Ian Corless
In the final 2 to 3 weeks before the race, taper training back so that you are fresh and strong. Also plan for heat adaptation, this could be specific heat chamber sessions or a series of sauna sessions or similar.
Photo by Ian Corless
You are responsible for arranging your own accommodation before the official transfer from Ouarzazate to bivouac one. If you fly into Marrakech, you may need a hotel there as well. There are free transfer buses from Marrakech to Ouarzazate. Arrive in Ouarzazate at least one day before required, have a good hotel night and time to relax and prepare before the transfer to the desert. MDS will confirm the dates and times for transfers etc.
From there, the structure usually follows this pattern:
Day 1 – Bus transfer from Ouarzazate to the desert bivouac. You settle in and stay overnight. This is self-sufficient. No meals are provided. Bring enough food for arrival day and admin day. There is no weight restriction at this point, so bring what you want.
Day 2 – Technical, administrative, and medical checks. Overnight in bivouac, still self-sufficient.
Day 3 – Stage 1
Day 4 – Stage 2
Day 5 – Stage 3
Days 6 and 7 – Stage 4, the 100km long stage
Day 8 – Stage 5
Day 9 – Stage 6, medal at the finish, bus transfer back to Ouarzazate. Overnight hotel with half-board.
Day 10 – Free day in Ouarzazate, awards ceremony and gala evening. Hotel half-board.
Day 11 – Airport transfers. End of the adventure.
Bivouac Reality
From the moment you step into the bivouac, you are self-sufficient. Water is provided. Everything else is your responsibility.
You must bring food and drink to cover arrival day and admin day before racing begins. You do not carry this food during the race, so be smart. Bring proper meals. Rachid, for example, makes a Tagine in camp.
You also have access to your luggage before admin checks. This is valuable. Bring spare kit, extra layers, backup options. You can fine tune your equipment in real desert conditions.
And do not assume MDS = heat. In 2025, we had rain, strong winds and sand storms.
Recent editions have shown how unpredictable conditions can be. The October MDS 120 Morocco race in 2024 saw rain and flooding. The Atlantic Coast edition had extreme wind, cold temperatures and rain. The desert is not always hot and dry. Prepare for variation.
Before admin, you can adjust your race pack. After that, your pack must meet regulations:
Minimum weight: 6.5kg excluding 1.5 lts of water.
Minimum food: 2000 calories per day.
All mandatory kit must be present.
No exceptions.
Water Strategy Has Changed
Since 2024, water provision has evolved.
Photo by Ian Corless
Once Stage 1 begins, water during stages is effectively unlimited. You are no longer handed sealed 1.5L bottles at checkpoints. Instead, volunteers in blue coats pour water from large containers into your bottles.
If you stand at a checkpoint and drink a full bottle, they refill it.
Typically, checkpoints are spaced around 10km apart, terrain permitting. However, if conditions demand it, additional water stations may be placed between checkpoints, for example at 5km. This flexibility is important to combat excessive heat.
Photo by Ian Corless
For the long stage, there may be a requirement to carry additional water capacity. This could be supplied in a 1.5L bottle. Plan ahead. Either have spare capacity to decant, or a system to carry a full bottle.
After each stage, water is rationed. You receive one 5L bottle. That 5L must cover:
Post-stage hydration
Dinner preparation
Breakfast preparation
Water allocation to CP1 the next day
If you want to wash, that also comes from the same 5L. Prioritize drinking and eating. Washing is optional. Hydration is not.
Salt Is Now Non-Negotiable
The race rules require 14 broth cubes. They are salty and mandatory.
In 2024, this change was questioned. By the end of the race, feedback was largely positive.
Not all cubes dissolve well. Test them. Many athletes use ‘Knorr’ because it dissolves reliably. Build a salt replacement strategy that works for you. This is a self-sufficient race. You must manage your own electrolyte plan.
Feet: The Deciding Factor
Along with dehydration, damaged feet are one of the main reasons people do not finish.
Your shoes must fit correctly. Your socks must suit you. You must know how to treat hot spots and blisters. Desert sand magnifies small problems quickly.
Ignore your feet at your peril.
Advice – A thumb nail of space above your longest toe is ideal. Note, I say longest toe – this may not be your big toe! A wider shoe is a good idea to allow for toe splay. If a shoe is too big, your foot will move when walking or running. A moving foot causes friction, friction means blisters.
Photo by Ian Corless
Make sure your shoes have gaiters so no sand can get in the shoe.
Safety on Course
The race operates under strict safety protocols.
Photo by Ian Corless
Fast response buggies are positioned to access difficult terrain quickly. 4×4 vehicles are spread across the course.
Every runner carries a tracker attached to their pack. This allows the organization to monitor your position in real time. It includes an emergency button for immediate assistance.
There are also medical runners on course. These are trained medical professionals competing in the race. They wear a different colour race number so you can identify them. They can provide immediate care if necessary. In addition, the full medical team is equipped to respond anywhere in the desert.
Photo by Ian Corless
During stages, water is not rationed. If you need more, you can have it. At key checkpoints, iced water is available for cooling and is poured over your head by blue coat volunteers. Orange jackets manage medical incidents.
Mandatory Equipment Means Mandatory
You must carry:
Pack such as WAA Ultra Bag 20L
Minimum 1.5L water capacity
Sleeping bag
Head torch plus spare batteries (charger or solar charger allowed)
10 safety pins
Compass with 1–2 degree precision
Lighter
Whistle
Knife
Topical disinfectant
Signal mirror
Survival blanket
14 broth cubes
Sun cream
200 euros or 2000 dirhams
Passport or ID card
Original ECG document and medical certificate
Roadbook (provided on arrival)
GPS tracker
Pay close attention to deadlines and rules for ECG and medical forms. The regulations are strict.
Calories: The Real Numbers
The rules require 2000 calories per day across six stages. That equals 12,000 calories minimum to comply.
However, with the rest period during the long stage, 14,000 calories is a more realistic minimum. You may carry more. For example, a small and slight women weighing 50kg has very different calorie needs to a tall, muscular 90kg male. Understand your calorie needs.
You must be able to prove calorie totals. If you repackage food into lighter containers, keep the nutritional labels.
To break it down clearly:
Stage 1 – 14,000 calories remaining
Stage 2 – 12,000 calories remaining
Stage 3 – 10,000 calories remaining
Stage 4 – 8,000 calories remaining (long stage)
Day 5 – 6,000 calories remaining (rest day, still requires 2000 calories)
Stage 5 – 4,000 calories remaining
Stage 6 – 2,000 calories remaining
On Day 5, you may still be moving during the long stage or recovering in camp, but you still require 2000 calories. On Stage 6, you technically only need breakfast and race snacks.
Essential Personal Kit
Beyond mandatory equipment and food, you will need:
Shoes with gaiters, Velcro sewn securely in advance
Hat with potential neck cover
Sunglasses with strong protection and good fit for sandstorms or take extra goggles
Watch
Warm layer – windproof and possibly lightweight down jacket
Foot care supplies
Hygiene products
Toilet roll or wipes
Lip balm
Blindfold
Ear plugs
Spoon
Pot or bowl
Stove
Fuel cubes
Sleeping mat
Pillow
Flip flops or similar
Note – If you plan to NOT heat water, you will not need a stove of fuel cubes. However, you will still need a bowl or something similar to eat food from.
Photo by Ian Corless
For repairs, consider:
Zip ties
Gorilla tape
Super glue
Sewing kit
Cord or thin rope
Equipment can fail. Plan for that.
Final Practical Advice
Keep your pack as close to 6.5kg as possible. Extra weight adds unnecessary stress, especially in the longest edition to date with a 100km long stage.
Limit luxuries. If you take one, make it a lightweight MP3 player with reliable battery and earphones.
Accept the conditions. You may not wash. You will get dirty. You will smell. That is normal
Start conservatively. Ease into the race.
Photo by Ian Corless
Poles can make a huge difference, but only if you know how to use them properly. Front runners may not need them. Most people benefit from them.
Learn to walk efficiently. Many arrive expecting to run 80 percent and walk 20 percent. In reality, it is often reversed.
Protect your feet from day one.
Take a sleeping mat. In the desert, your job is simple: run, eat, sleep. Good sleep improves recovery. Recovery keeps you in the race.
A milestone anniversary, new formats, familiar classics, and a season that stretches from the Sahara to the Alps. Some years feel bigger than others. In 2026, the calendar alone tells you this will be one of those years for Marathon des Sables.
Forty editions after its beginnings in the Moroccan desert, Marathon des Sables has grown into a family of events that test endurance in different ways, across different landscapes, and for very different runners. Yet the heart of MDS remains the same. Self-sufficiency, shared hardship, and the quiet satisfaction that comes from moving forward when stopping would be easier.
January opens with something new and bold: MDS Ultra. Two distances. Two very clear challenges. A 100km option for runners ready to push beyond the classic stage format, and a 100-mile race for those who want to see how deep the well really goes.
Photo by Ian Corless
An opening act designed to grab attention. Long distances, sustained effort, and the mental strain that only ultra racing can deliver. For many, it will be the first real test of their winter training. For others, it will be the centrepiece of their season. What matters most is what MDS Ultra represents – It signals evolution not revolution. MDS is not standing still, even as it celebrates its past.
Photo by Ian Corless
Before January ends, the focus shifts west to the ocean for MDS 120 Atlantic Coast. Where dunes once dominated the horizon, runners now deal with open beaches, shifting sand, and the constant presence of the sea. The Atlantic Coast event has its own rhythm. Wind can play a bigger role. Footing changes by the kilometre. Temperatures can vary greatly, and yes, rain may be present? Still self-supported, still demanding, but in a way that surprises many first-timers. By the time the final runners cross the line, January has already delivered two very different expressions of what Marathon des Sables can be.
February and March bring a noticeable change of pace. No race numbers. No finish lines. Instead, preparation. The MDS team turns its attention fully toward the centrepiece of the year: the 40th edition of MDS Legendary. Four decades after the first runners set off into the Sahara, this anniversary edition carries weight. Not just for the organisation, but for the community that has grown around it.
Photo by Ian Corless
Behind the scenes, logistics are refined, routes considered, and details checked and checked again. The Legendary event is not just another race, it is a reference point for stage racing, for many, a rites of passage, and in 2026, it will also be a celebration of everything Marathon des Sables has become.
Once the Legendary edition is complete, the calendar opens up again, and the global nature of MDS takes centre stage.
MDS Raid Namibia delivers raw beauty and isolation in one of Africa’s most striking landscapes. Namibia’s vast spaces, sharp light, and unforgiving terrain strip things back to basics. This is running in its purest form, where the environment sets the rules. A unique event as teams of two challenge a more stripped back and raw experience.
From Namibia, the series moves to Turkey for MDS 120 Cappadocia. Volcanic rock formations, flowing trails, and a sense of history underfoot make this one of the most visually distinctive events on the calendar. It is demanding, but also deeply immersive, ironically, despite the ‘sables’ tag, this event is much more a trail race – something new, different and unique.
MDS Crazy Loops – a format that lives up to its name. Short loops, repeated efforts, and a psychological game that can unravel even experienced runners over 24-hours. It is less about distance on paper and more about resilience in the moment. A fun and challenging event for all abilities that takes place at iconic ski resorts within Europe during July and August. A community event that brings the MDS vibe to the mountains.
As the year moves toward its final months, the pace does not slow. If anything, it accelerates. MDS 120 Morocco returns runners to familiar terrain, but with the confidence and refinement that come from years of experience. This is the desert, revisited with fresh eyes.
Alongside it, MDS Handi continues to redefine what inclusion looks like in endurance sport. It is a powerful reminder that challenge is not one-size-fits-all, and that determination takes many forms.
For those drawn more to movement than racing, MDS Trek Morocco offers a different relationship with the landscape. Still demanding, still immersive, but with space to absorb the experience in full where all abilities are catered for and yes, there is even some luxury – larger tents, no self-sufficiency, showers and so much more…
The international push continues with MDS 120 Jordan, where desert running meets ancient history. The terrain is tough, the scenery unforgettable, and the sense of scale impossible to ignore. An iconic event and arguably one of the most desired events on the MDS calendar.
And yes, there are hints of more to come. Potential surprises remain under wraps, but if past years are any guide, they will add another layer to an already remarkable season.
Photo by Ian Corless
By the time 2026 draws to a close, Marathon des Sables will have crossed continents and climates. Morocco, Jordan, Peru, Turkey, Namibia, and Europe, with the Alps adding altitude to the mix. Each location brings its own challenges, its own stories, and its own reasons for being unforgettable.
What ties them all together is not just branding or format. It is philosophy. Self-reliance. Respect for the environment. And the shared understanding among participants that this is about more than running.
A milestone year invites reflection, but it also demands momentum. In 2026, Marathon des Sables manages both. Honouring 40 years of history while pushing forward into new territory, new formats, and new ways to test human endurance.
For runners, supporters, and the wider endurance community, it is hard not to look at the year ahead and feel a quiet sense of anticipation.
What a year it promises to be.
In addition to the above, there is the MDS Tour and MDS Clubs.
In 2026, the Marathon des Sables (MDS) reaches a milestone: its 40th “Legendary” edition. What better way to celebrate four decades of desert ultra-endurance than by rewriting the record books? Among the announcements already stirring excitement: the “long day” stage for 2026 will be extended to 100 km, making it the longest single stage ever in MDS history. This bold move not only raises the bar for what runners will face, but signals that the 40th edition aims to become a defining moment of the race’s legacy.
Laurence Klein, 3x MDS champion – Photo by Ian Corless
A Brief History:
The roots of the Marathon des Sables reach back to the daring vision of French promoter Patrick Bauer. In 1984, he traversed part of the Sahara on his own, over 350 km in 12 days, with no external support, an experiment in isolation and survival. Two years later, in 1986, the first official Marathon des Sables was held, with 23 participants tackling a self-supported desert crossing. The winners, Bernard Gaudin and Christiane Plumere making history.
Over the years, MDS has grown from a niche extreme-race to one of the world’s most respected ultramarathons. Its signature format currently features around 250 km over 6-stages (7-days) in the Moroccan Sahara, with participants carrying their own supplies (food, sleeping gear, etc.) in full self-sufficiency – water and a place to sleep the only logistical supply. Terrain at The Legendary shifts from endless dunes, rocky plateaus, dried wadis, occasional mountains and shifting sands; daytime heat can often soar, while nighttime temperatures can drop sharply.
Stunning vistas at The Legendary – Photo by Ian Corless
Notably, throughout its history, MDS Legendary has always included a stage that stretches well beyond the “single marathon” distance, 80–90 km is normal to test endurance in extremes. In 2009, there was a long-stage of 92km’s…. But a full 100 km in one go will top them all.
With a passing of time, MDS Legendary has also diversified; now offering shorter formats such as MDS 120 (70–120 km), the MDS Trek variant with lighter logistics, MDS RAID and for 2026, the MDS Ultra which for the first time offers a single-stage ultra of 100km’s or 100-miles to be undertaken with a 40-hour cut-off. But the heart of the MDS remains firmly with The Legendary stage race.
The 100 km “Long Day” and What It Means
MDS will feature a 100 km long day, a stage longer than anything ever attempted in MDS history. This is more than a symbolic gesture, it’s a structural change that forces participants to rethink pacing, supplies, strategy, and mindset. Will the 40th edition of MDS The Legendary be considered the hardest ever edition? With an expected total distance of 270km +/- the answer is yes!
Photo by Ian Corless
From a participant perspective, there will be some key considerations.
Pacing will be crucial with a delicate balance between enthusiasm and energy conservation. During the day, monitoring thermal stress will be crucial.
Pack weight will be crucial – the 40th edition of MDS Legendary, now more than ever, will require participants to have the lightest possible pack without breaking the strict rules and regulations.
Food – With a long day that is in real terms approximately 10 to 25% longer than usual, the need for extra calories and how those calories are consumed will become extra important.
The mental toll will have a huge impact, that will start now with the announcement of a 100km stage – just as you prepare equipment and training, set time aside to prepare the mind for the challenge ahead. This new length will push athletes into deeper zones of fatigue, testing resilience, self-talk, and mental fortitude.
Runners will traverse more varied landscapes, perhaps crossing more dunes, rocky flats, and most certainly everyone will require more night navigation.
Announcing the 100 km day well in advance gives aspirants time to rework prep plans – use this time effectively.
Food, as always, important at MDS – Photo by Ian Corless
Why 2026 Will Be a History-Making Edition
This is not just “another year” of MDS The Legendary, several factors are aligning to make the 40th edition uniquely compelling:
Milestone Significance – Forty years is a symbolic turning point. And by choosing to mark it with the toughest-ever stage, the organisers are intentionally raising the narrative: “Legendary by name, Legendary by reputation.”
New Records, New Legends – With no past precedent for a 100 km stage in MDS The Legendary, whoever finishes that leg (especially among the leaders) will enter the record books.
Attracting Ambition – Some ultra runners chase the “most difficult” challenge. A 100 km desert stage is a headline that will draw audacious minds and bodies, possibly pushing the field performance upward.
Legacy and Storytelling – In future retellings, the 2026 MDS The Legendary will be a pivotal point, some may say, the 40th edition was when MDS truly redefined itself. It’s the kind of turning point that historians of sport may hark back to.
Amplifying the Extremes – MDS has always lived on the edge: heat, sand, navigation, resource management. By stretching one day to 100 km, the extremity is amplified. The race becomes less about surviving the day, and more about mastering it.
The Longest Ever – With a long stage of 100km, the anticipated total distance for the 40th edition will be a record breaking 270km +/-.
Photo by Ian Corless
Challenges & Risks to Keep in Mind
No radical shift comes without risks and MDS The Legendary are required to balance risk against challenge. A 100km stage has long been discussed for this iconic stage race, it’s only right that the 40th edition will personify the Legendary tag with a landmark distance. However, even the world’s top ultra runners may falter under a 100 km leg in desert conditions. Managing attrition will be critical. The required pace will be, as usual, 3.5km per-hour. And of course, the MDS blue and orange jackets will be on-hand, more than ever, to facilitate everyone crossing the line.
100% support from the MDS team – Photo by Ian Corless
Some participants may feel disadvantaged if their prior prep or experience didn’t anticipate such a long stage, but, this is why this early announcement helps – fail to prepare, prepare to fail.
Perspective: How This Compares to Classic Ultra Benchmarks
To put 100 km in context: many stand-alone ultramarathons are in the 100 km to 100-mile range. But those are often supported events, with aid stations and crew support. In MDS The Legendary, with self-sufficiency, navigation demands, and desert extremes, layering a 100 km day is far harder than a flat 100k road ultra.
In prior MDS editions, long days of 80–90 km have already pushed runners to the brink, many cross the nights and run long into another day – for 2026, this will be the ‘norm’ for nearly all the participants.
The 40th edition becomes not just “another chapter,” but a rewriting of what MDS can be.
Final Thoughts: A Legendary Promise
Photo by Ian Corless
The 2026 Marathon des Sables is setting the stage, literally and metaphorically for a landmark event. The 100 km long day announcement signals ambition, courage, and a willingness to push the narrative frontier of desert ultra-running. In addition, the implications for the overall race distance being 270k +/- adds to the drama.
For participants, 2026 will demand a rethinking of training philosophies, gear choices, pacing strategies, and mental frameworks. For the sport, it may become a reference point for what is “next level” in multi-stage desert ultras. And for storytelling, it offers rich stories:”
“Who conquered 100 km in the sands?”
“How 2026 changed MDS forever.”
Legendary by name, and with this edition, legendary by reputation in a whole new way.
Interested in a Marathon des Sables event? More informationHERE
Following on from the success of the 38th (2024) edition of Marathon des Sables – The Legendary (summary here), today the dates for 2025 are announced:
April 4th to 14th 2025.
Will Rachid return in 2025 for an 11th title?
The timings will be as follows:
Apr 4 – Arrival in Morocco and meet in Ouarzazate for onward transfer to B1.
Apr 5 – Admin day.
Apr 6 – Stage 1
Apr 7 – Stage 2
Apr 8 – Stage 3 *
Apr 9 – Stage 3 continuation or rest day *
Apr 10 – Stage 4
Apr 11 – Stage 5
Apr 12 – Stage 6 and onward travel to Ouarzazate
Apr 13 – Free Day and Gala Evening Presentation
Apr 14 – Onward travel
* Based on ‘the long day’ coming on stage 3.
Currently, it is not possible to register for 2025, but entry will open on JUNE 19th 2024.
These are exciting times for the MDS brand and it is highly anticipated that entries for 2025 will flood in after the success of the most recent event which concluded just weeks ago.
Rajaa HAMDAOUA placed 4th in 2024.
WHAT IS NEW?
PRICE
Well, first of all, the price. For 2025 there will be no additional price for UK entrants. In past years, UK entrants have paid an increased price due to staying at the Berbere Palace Hotel. This hotel will now be an ‘upgrade package’ which will bring a smile to many a UK entrant, for multiple reasons.
PRICE FOR THE FIRST 500:
€3,690/person
and €3,890/person later.
THE UPGRADE PACKAGE with Berbere Palace Hotel
€4,090/person for the first 500
and €4,290/person later.
Both offers are available to everyone, regardless of their country of residence.
Susan Grimes from the USA.
NO CHARTER FLIGHTS FOR 2025
The meeting point will be in Ouarzazate on Friday morning, April 4, 2025.
Ouarzazate airport Fly to Ouarzazate before the race and spend one or more nights in a hotel at your expense.
Marrakech airport Fly to Marrakech the days before the race and go by *shuttle to Ouarzazate.
*Shuttles will be organized on the morning of April 2 and 3, 2025, between Marrakech and Ouarzazate (5-hour journey).
Timetable for the Marrakech / Ouarzazate shuttles on April 2 and 3 : 07:00 am: From the center of Marrakech (meeting point at the Kenzi Rose Garden hotel). 10:00 am: From Marrakech airport. 12:00 pm: From Marrakech airport.
The return trip at the end of the MDS follows the same logic.
If you wish, you can take advantage of the bus service provided between Ouarzazate and Marrakech. These buses will leave Ouarzazate at 06:00 am on April 14, so you’ll need to book a return flight from Marrakech after 2:00 pm.
A unique experience
THE EVENT
Will remain similar to the 2024 38th edition and in summary:
The total distance of the MDS The Legendary will be about 250km’s, divided into 6-stages. The exact route and distances are given at the latest in the road book which is distributed in Morocco on arrival and transfer to bivouac 1.
Self-autonomy (food) is required from immediate arrival at B1 and then race self-autonomy starts at the beginning of stage 1.
The 2024 edition was as follows:
Stage 1: 31,1 km
Stage 2: 40,8 km
Stage 3: 85,3 km (the 3rd stage takes place on 2 days)
Stage 4: 43,1 km
Stage 5: 31,4 km
Stage 6: 21,1 km
CP’s with water and iced water to cool the runner.
The MARATHON DES SABLES – The Legendary is a self-sufficient adventure. Competitors must carry all their equipment and food, except the water and the tent. Check-points are located approximately every10 km. Post stage, participants receive a water ration when arriving to the bivouac, for the evening and the morning.
Have peace of mind and benefit from free postponement insurance up to 7 days before the event, included in your registration.
A mythical crossing of the desert, 11 days of adventure in Morocco, including 9 days in the desert, a course of about 250 km divided into 6-stages, to be done by walking or running.
MARATHON DES SABLES – The Legendaryan extraordinary race and adventure.
The elation of the finish
Taking place in the southern Moroccan Sahara since 1986.
The 2024 edition of Marathon des Sables – The Legendary is over. The statistics say this is the 38th running of the race, but in reality, it is 37 plus 1 or maybe, it is really just edition 1 of a new era of the race?
There is no getting away from the fact that the departure of Patrick Bauer and the arrival of new organisation caused anxiety, worry, and many questions. In real terms, there may have been many runner’s deciding to ‘wait and see’ what happened in 2024 and if all goes well, they would enter 2025.
The worry is over.
Statistics show MDS had 867 start the race and only 60 DNF’d (did not finish) – These statistics alone are a success!
Laurence Klein, MDS legend.
Nothing is ever simple and straight forward, so, lets look at the 2024 edition.
MDS
Every year, after each edition of MDS, I write a summary article. Some are more in-depth that others. For 2024 I provide a summary here and in-time, I may well come back to this post or write a new post based on comments and feedback, so please feel free to add your experiences in the comments.
Yoann Stuck on Jebel El Otfal
There were many changes for the 2024 edition and in the build up to the race, a familiar comment was heard:
‘If it ain’t broke, don’t break it!’
Cyril Gauthier
To some extent, after 37-years, this was a valid comment, however, Cyril Gauthier, Ferdinand Charriau and others at MDS HQ thought differently. There was no spur of the moment and rash thought process, on the contrary, ideas and protocols had been tested on the HMDS format. They had seen success there and the idea, quite simply, was to bring that to MDS The Legendary.
It was a success!
No better feeling, the medal.
All the the pre-race doubts, questions, frustration and at times anger soon disappeared as the race and the organisation unveiled the 2024 race and it’s format.
Cyril had used the term in 2023, ‘This is not revolution, but evolution.’ As the 2024 race progressed, this evolution slowly but surely converted the 867 and convinced them that the new format was a winner.
Oxo cube at CP7 on the long day, just over 10km to go.
It’s still MDS.
It is still a multi-stage run.
It’s still in the Sahara.
It’s still tough and still around 250 km’s in distance.
BUT, and this is a big BUT, there are complete changes in the way the race is now run.
THE CHANGES
Communication:
The changes start before we even get to the desert with years and finally months of planning and tweaking. I think the MDS team will confirm here that communication, information and news could have improved in the early stages but as soon as the race came close, there was a significant improvement, so, we can expect that to not only continue but get better moving forward.
Travel:
Arrival in Morocco and bust transfer to the Sahara
Travel plans and options changed in an effort to be more environmentally friendly and therefore charter planes were reduced to two and I think it is fair to say, that we can expect to see them removed completely for 2025? With travel options increasing all the time, it is now very easy to travel to Marrakech and therefore, travel options will and can be expected to be more flexible for future years. However, to facilitate travel to Ouarzazate and the race RV point, buses were provided from Marrakech and post-race for return travel.
Self-Sufficiency:
Self sufficiency is a key to the MDS experience
No catering was provided before the race as in past editions, therefore, runner’s had to provide there own food before race self-sufficiency started. While some would have preferred a catering option, ultimately it was no problem and no issue. One thing was for sure, there was little stomach upset in camp using this method. That alone is confirmation enough.
Admin Day:
Admin day was fast, slick and efficient.
Admin day in the past has been a long and laborious process that has taken 3-hours for some. This was changed completely and it was an absolute success with average processing times of 30-minutes. It was simple, fast, efficient and a game changer that resulted with less time in the sun for runner’s, less time on feet and little to no stress.
Camp:
Legends in the Sahara
The bivouac looked the same but there was a significant change, the circles of tents were made tighter and smaller making for a much smaller space in the middle. This made for easier comms and a more comfortable, homely feel. Each evening there was a small talk called ‘Legends’ that introduced 2/3 significant people from MDS history in a casual Q&A format. This was followed with relaxation and yoga.
Early starts:
The long day with an 0600 start for the majority of the race, the top 50 started at 0800
Depending on the stage and the distance, race start times each day were earlier to allow for 2/3/4 hours of significantly cooler temperatures. The earliest start 0600, the latest start at 0800 for the top-50 on the long day.
Water:
No water rations and no 1.5ltr bottles.
Water was in abundance, not rationed and in addition to CP’s typically every 10 to 12km’s, additional water stations were added on certain stages.
Ferdinand Charriau at CP1 on stage 2
Cold water:
No better way to cool down
Each significant CP had cool iced water that was poured on necks and heads to help with cooling.
Staff:
It’s a team effort
Volunteers made the event a success with dedication, commitment and enthusiasm.
Safety:
Medical teams were at CP’s, running the race and in fast response vehicles.
Much of the above: early starts, more water, water stations, cold water come in the ‘safety’ section but the race had medical runners, more fast response vehicles and more medics/ doctors.
Safety is a key element of MDS
Stock cubes:
Salt tablets were replaced with mandatory stock cubes. This caused huge controversy before the race, but, during the race I heard many comments such as, ‘stock cubes, who’d have thought it, I have grown to love them!’ Now of course, MDS is a self-sufficient race and just as one would train, test equipment, research food and so on, salt/ electrolyte replacement should also figure in this. If that is stock cubes, great! If not, make sure you have what you need. Again, only 60 DNF’s reflect that whatever was happening was working.
“I enjoyed them as either a side dish to my lunch and dinner or, on the long stage, during the stage itself. They worked for me, in addition to my own nutrition. No issues with dehydration or hyponatremia, and enjoyed something aside from the mostly sweet race nutrition.” – Stephanie Tang
“I used them in the evening, 1 as a hot “brew” and the other inside my evening meal. I did supplement the day with 1 salt tablet per hour. On the day I didn’t use 1 tablet per hour I cramped up significantly. I was on the fence of not using them, however I see the benifit and actually looked forward to my evening Knorr brew. Everyone is different but that’s just what worked for me, knowing my body and stomach.” – Maximus Baximus
Foot care:
Foot care
As per usual, foot care was provided and as the race went on, the demand increased. It’s important to remember, MDS is a self-sufficient race and so therefore, an element of self-care is required. This also helps avoid any wait. However, for those who had bad feet and needed to wait for attention, care was given to all these that needed it.
“It was my experience that you could see a medic if you were prepared to wait for one, there was also medics overseeing the self care side of things too.” – Matt Pearson
“…when you just ran 85k you don’t want to threat your own blisters.” – Stijn Vin Cauter
Tracking:
As per usual, each runner had a tracker for safety and so loved ones at home could follow.
The race format:
2024 was the longest race in MDS history. It was also 6 race days and not 5 with a charity stage. So, on paper, the race was harder…? The feared long day, typically on day 4 was now on day 3. This allowed for runner’s to be fresher, but to counter balance this, packs were heavier. In past editions, with the long day done, there was ‘just’ a marathon to do. Now, with the new format, there was still some 100 +/- km’s to go over 3 stages! The typical format of the race has been to run through the desert, point-to-point resulting in 5/ 6 bivouac. For 2024, just 3 bivouac were utilised allowing the race to concentrate on what many considered, the best part of the Sahara – it worked!
Stage 3 was stunning
MDS The Legendary
Every year, MDS has challenges. If we look at the last 4-years, the challenges have been very significant:
2020 Covid.
2021 Intense heat, norovirus and the highest DNF rate in MDS history.
2022 Cooler temperatures and even some rain.
2023 Intense heat and sandstorms.
It was very clear that the new management wanted to learn from 2020 to 2023 and make sure that the 2024 edition, as much as possible, facilitated increased safety and a higher completion rate.
Nothing like the emotion of the finish.
The figures speak for themselves, just 60 DNF’s. A success!
Now of course, many factors come into play when discussing DNF rates and to be fair, 2024 was a good year with no excessive heat and the new protocols as discussed above. Having experienced 11 MDS, 2024 was not a hot year. For sure it had its moments, particularly on stage 3 and stage 4 between midday and 5pm, but with earlier starts, typical temps of 30-33 degrees and often wind, conditions were good.
A trickle of cold water at each CP makes a huge difference
There was an abundance of sand storms and a day did not pass without the presence of wind, some days were worse than others. However, there was never one of those full-on white out days.
Wind and sand on admin day
The route was a classic, taking in ‘the best’ of the region, the long day in particular was beautiful. Some days were easier than others, ultimately though, the route was a showcase for Morocco and the Sahara.
Epic landscape
Everyday, CP’s and the finish line was a party with motivated volunteers and music. The final day finish, at times, was like a rave with a DJ and a full-on party mode.
“First time running, so cannot compare, but absolutely loved the event . From start to finish, I have nothing but praise. Amazing staff and volunteers.” – Julianna Ambrosi
What a team of volunteers from all over the world
To sum up, the runner was placed first (correctly) and the organisation facilitated, as best as possible, a finish.
“First time for me so don’t have any comparison but having UK volunteers was great. Especially at the checkpoints when a friendly face and some words of encouragement instantly made things better.” – Si Brewington
The after party, awards, film show and celebration was top notch – a great finish.
THE RACE
Rachid, king of the Sahara
Rachid El Morabity and Aziza El Amrany were crowned champions. Rachid obtaining his 10th title and Aziza gaining her first.
The El Morabity once again used tactics for victory, Aziz Yachou could only watch on and fight as hard as possible, hoping that one of the duo would have a bad day… Bad days never came. Mohamed ‘played’ a bad day on stage 5 to relinquish time for his brother. It was just a game, just a like chess or a domestique in cycling.
It was this close
For the women, Aziza El Amrany was in a race on her own. She was head and shoulders above the competition and gave a dominant performance.
Aziza flying
Aziza Raji, who has won MDS before and earlier in the year won Omand Desert Marathon placed 2nd and UK’s Gemma Game, once again placed 3rd. This Gemma’s 3rd time placing 3rd.
This is not an in-depth analysis of the 2024 MDS The Legendary, that will follow with more feedback and analysis. However, with thoughts and ideas fresh in the mind, it’s good to have immediate analysis and put thoughts down. I think I can safely say that the race can be summed up in one word, SUCCESSFUL.
What have I missed? I know I will have missed something, so, please let me know.
There may have been some controversy, worries and anxiety in the build up but quite quickly that evaporated.
MDS The Legendary may not be perfect yet, but for the runner, the 2024 edition came close.
If you hesitated placing an entry for 2024, my advice is to act quick for 2025. I firmly believe that once participants share their positive experiences, entries will fly in.
CALL FOR COMMENTS
I welcome you to share experiences, the highs and the lows. The positives and any negatives. The MDS will grow and become better with more feedback.
The 2024 Marathon des Sables – The Legendary is over. The race concluded with stage 6 and 21.1km to cover; challenging terrain of stony plateau, small dunes, an ascent to Jebel Mefatigbzef, wadi, and a palm grove finish – the MDS medal hard earned! Rachid El Morabity and Aziza El Amrany the champions!
Camp life
Once again it was an early start as everyone had to prepare for an 0630 start time.
Yoann Stuck
The last day was all about survival and getting the job done as quickly as possible, crossing the line and receiving the medal. The finish line for 2024 incredible, it was full of tears, emotion, relief and laughter; all accompanied by a DJ and party tunes. Quite a way to finish the race.
The medal
However, while the women’s race was decided early on and the top-3 places confirmed, the men’s race was a potential nail biter.
The El Morabity brothers had played their trump card on stage 5 and now Rachid could smell a 10th victory, however, he would need to perform at a top level to make this happen and make sure Aziz Yachou did not attack and pull back time.
The trio started fast and it stayed that way for the duration of the 21.1km’s. Aziz looking to break Rachid.
No matter how Aziz tried, Rachid responded and as the finish came in sight, the 9 times MDS champion pulled away, removed his Moroccan flag from his pack and secured a 10th victory. Mohamed eased up making sure that Rachid pulled back the required seconds to win overall, but not so many seconds that he would lose 2nd place.
Aziza El Emrany finally took the MDS top slot after many years coming close. It was great to see and one that is really deserved, she was in incredible form this year. Aziza Raji placed and for the third time, Gemma Game placed 3rd again.
The story though was all the legends who crossed the line and achieved greatness in making it through the Sahara to place a medal around their neck.
The 2024 edition has proven to be a memorable one, with a new organisation and many changes, many feared the race would lose something, not so. The opposite, the general consensus has been approval and open appreciation for what repeat MDS participants have said, ‘the best yet!’
As in any race, some don’t make the finish. For the 2024 MDS, at the time of writing, only 60 are DNF’s, this is from 867 starters.
B3 and back to B3, the heart stage at 31.4km’s takes place in a new area for Marathon des Sables.
Sunrise
One could say that this is a classic MDS stage with a little of everything and while the participants may be feeling a little too tired to enjoy the views, there is much to appreciate here.
Laurence Klein
Jebel Tafeguenat a highlight followed by wadi, stony terrain and small dunes. CP’s ease the journey at 6.8km, 13km and 23km.
Easy start to the day
The day started under cloud and cool temperatures after a night of sandstorms. The early pace easy, with Rachid El Morabity and Mohamed somewhere in the middle of the pack. However, this soon changed with Aziz Yachou dictating the pace.
Rachid El Morabity followed and the race was on.
Was this the day that Mohamed El Morabity would relinquish his lead and allow his brother the opportunity for a 10th MDS title? The simple answer, yes!
Full flight
As the stage progressed, Rachid and Aziz pushed a relentless pace and Mohamed dropped farther and farther back.
Mohamed watched the race pull away, strapping on his leg…
Within the final 8km, the duo of Rachid were at full pace, it was superb to watch as the master, Mr MDS, Rachid El Morabity opened a gap pushing at almost 17km’s and hour.
Aziz Yachou
Aziz grimaced trying to keep up. This was the make or break day and Rachid crossed the line in 2:11:43. Aziz followed with 2:12:23.
Aziz watching Rachid pull away!
Now, what time was Mohamed going to cross in? No doubt he was calculating a pace to make it all very close for the last day, his time, 3:04:06 (35th place) and 52:23 after Rachid.
The ranking going in to the last stage:
Mohamed El Morabity 19:19:39
Rachid El Morabity 19:20:14 (35 seconds behind)
Aziz Yachou 19:22:30 (2:51:00 behind)
It’s all becoming a blur.
The strategy for stage 6 is simple, Mohamed will recover from his leg problem but relinquish the 35 seconds to his brother whist also making sure he does not lose time to Aziz so that he finishes second. It has been a stunning El Morabity game plan, once again!
Aziza El Amrany and Rziza Raji
The Aziza’s ran together today and crosssed in 3:15:01. Rajaa Hamdaoua 3rd in 3:28:52 and Gemma Game 5th in 3:54:54.
Rajaa 3rd on stage
Stage 6 for the women will be casual with Azia El Amrany secure in 1st, Aziza Raji secure in 2nd and Gemma Game secure in 3rd.
It’s all getting too much for some.
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IAN CORLESS 