The wait was over, after 2-nights in bivouac, nearly 1000 participants were released into the Sahara at 0730am to the sound of ‘Highway to Hell!’ The 2025 MDS The Legendary was underway.
Photo by Ian Corless
Anticipation was high and the enthusiasm electric on the start line. For many, the MDS The Legendary is a life time dream, reflected with 80% of the start field first time participants at the event.
Photo by Ian Corless
With 32km’s to cover and 312m+ of vertical gain, the stage was designed to ease the participants into the 39th edition, the time allowance, 9-hours and 10-minutes.
Sunrise was spectacular and wind blow the participants from behind for the first half of the course, sadly, it would be a headwind for the return.
Photo by Ian Corless
As expected, Rachid El Morabity lead the charge from the line with Hamid Yachou close. For 2025, Aziz Yachou will not race, Rachid’s greatest rival.
Rachid leads Hamid early on – Photo by Ian Corless
Behind, Amed Ouikhalfen, Mbark El Morabity and Mohamed El Morabity followed.
For the women, the 2024 Legendary champion, Aziza El Amrany set the pace at the front.
She was followed by the 2023 Legendary champion, Maryline Nakache with Gemma Game and Tomomi Bitoh following.
Tomomi – Photo by Ian Corless
The pace at the front was fast, very fast and the main contenders were at CP1 in close to 30-minutes. Rachid pushed the pace opening a gap and constantly looking behind to asses the damage.
Mohamed – Photo by Ian Corless
Rachid’s brother, Mohamed, was now moving through the field looking to make contact at the front.
Aziza was pushing hard, but Maryline was closing the gap having settled into her pace. Ragna Debats, 2019 Legendary champion was also easing into the race looking to gain ground on Gemma Game.
At the front, coming into CP3, Mohamed was now running with Rachid and Hamid was chasing, the brothers, once again were playing the tactical game to secure another victory for Rachid.
Rachid and Mohamed – Photo by Ian Corless
In the closing kilometers, Mohamed opened a gap and won the stage in 02:20:29, Rachid finished in 02:21:37 and Hamid 02:23:11.
Hamid – Photo by Ian Corless
I would read nothing in the victory of Mohamed, it is not a reflection of greater ability over his brother Rachid, purely a tactical game to secure victory for the elder brother and a record 11th title.
Aziza – Photo by Ian Corless
Maryline and Aziza ran side-by-side matching each others stride perfectly approaching CP3, would the elastic snap?
Maryline – Photo by Ian Corless
Yes! Maryline opened a gap and pushed the pace winning in 02:58:22 and 6th overall.
Ragna – Photo by Ian Corless
Aziza faded in the final km’s and crossed in 03:08:12.
Photo by Ian Corless
Ragna finished 3rd in 03:17:14, and with this podium, we have 3 past MDS Legendary champions battling for the 2025 title.
Photo by Ian Corless
The terrain of the day was classic Sahara, a mix of flat rocky plateau, small sand and rock climbs and a mix of small dunes. A great introduction.
Photo by Ian Corless
Mood throughout the race was high, everyone was happy to have just started the 2025 journey, the anticipation high for the 5-stages to come. The youngest competitor 18, the oldest 76, a true reflection of everything that is great about the sport.
Tomorrow, stage 2 is 40km’s and we leave the bivouac of the last days to a new bivouac in a new part of the Sahara. A point-to-point day that will test everyone with a great deal of soft sand.
You are in the final 2-weeks for MDS The Legendary.
With this in mind, we follow up the conference calls that took place on Friday March 21st with a summary.
First and foremost, the conference calls were recorded and you can view them on YouTube, the english version is as below.
SUMMARY NOTES AND KEY POINTS
The adventure will be here soon, do not worry, keep calm, 80% of you are first time participants.
Here we will go over the key information about the race.
Logistics
Passport – keep it handy and make sure you don’t forget it! Make sure you have at leat 6 months validity.
Wear race clothing for travel including shoes and gaiters.
Take RACE PACK with all contents as carry-on luggage, this includes the food. The only items you must check-in are poles and knife/ scissors etc.
MDS admin send you a procedure via newsletter in case your checked bag gets lost.
There will also be a pre-race shop at bivouac if needed, this will not have an exhaustive amount of equipment, but it may help in an emergency.
What happens when you land in Marrakech?
At the airport as you exit, after baggage collection, there will be a welcome area on April 2 and 3rd look out for the MDS team wearing orange and blue gilets.
Board your bus
Bus schedule:
KENZI ROSE: April 2 & 3 – 7:00 AM
RAK AIRPORT: April 2 & 3 – 10:00 AM
RAK AIRPORT: April 2 & 3 – 12:00 PM
The drive to Ouarzazate is approximately 4-hour ride + mid-way break MDS will provide a snack. If you have special dietary needs, you should have submitted that on our website. You’re welcome to bring your own snack if that makes you feel more comfortable.
Drop-off at hotels in Ouarzazate – all buses stop at all hotels:
El Baraka
La Perle du Sud
Berbère Palace
Karam Palace
You’ll spend 1 or 2 nights there depending on your booking. Our staff will be present in the main hotels in Ouarzazate if you need anything.
April 4
Transfer to the bivouac
Meet at 7:30 AM in Ouarzazate to board the bus from either:
Karam Palace
Berbère Palace
6-hour transfer
1 break during the ride, lunch pack will be provided BUT I recommend you purchase items in Ourarzazate to take with you, remember dta 1 and day 2 in bivouac is self-sufficient.
REMEMBER you are self-sufficient with food BEFORE the race starts. So, you need to take adequate food, snacks etc. There is no restriction here as you carry this in your luggage.
➤ Arrival at the bivouac with your suitcase and all your gear
➤ You’ll be assigned an 8-person tent – tent numbers will be shared next week
➤ Arrival briefing
➤ Sleep
IMPORTANT – You have luggage with you this night, a great opportunity to fine tune what you will take when racing. If it is cold, you can pack extra layers. If hot, you can maybe take less.
April 5
Technical checks stay in your bivouac tent and a member of the MDS team will come to your tent and tell you when to go. Expect this to take approximately 1-hour.
You will drop your luggage at the technical check. you will not see or have access to luggage until AFTER the race when you return to Ouarzazate.
Rest in camp and prepare for the race.
April 6–12
Race Stages You’ll discover the stage details in the roadbook, given to you when boarding the bus on April 4.
The long stage will be the 4th stage.
The race will be 250km’s over 6-stage / 7-days.
A typical stage:
Early starts so you will be getting ready in the dark.
Checkpoints every 10km (+/-) with unlimited water
We recommend carrying an extra soft flask for flexibility – but remember, you carry it!
Each CP has shaded rest zones
Orange-vest staff to help if needed for any medical issue
Cold water available to cool your neck (bring a neck gaiter!)
Feminine hygiene products available at bivouacs and on course
Minimum pace is 3.5 km/h – no stress, go at your own rhythm.
End of the stage: You can refill your bottles + get a 5L water bottle to last to CP 1 the following day.
EQUIPMENT
Review the list of mandatory equipment
First night at the bivouac: Good opportunity to test how cold it gets.
Bring a proper sleeping bag,
Have with you warm layers, light down jacket, etc.
Sleeping mat is highly recommended
Make sure you have tried and tested shoes with gaiters
Foot care – trim your toenails before the race – not too short, not too long. A pedicure can be a good idea.
Bring socks you’re used to, and maybe a spare pair.
Foot care during the race:
Clean and let your feet breathe after each stage.
If you feel a blister or small injury, go see the medics immediately – don’t wait!
Rain?
Keep a rain jacket and a rain cover for your bag in your WAA pack – just in case.
Protect yourself from the sun: Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses – don’t neglect anything!
Clothing: Test your gear beforehand to avoid surprises One race outfit + one bivouac outfit is enough
Fire starter bricks – available in the pre-race shopMENT
Before the race: Food for the evening of April 4 and the full day on April 5 – whatever you like.
During the race: Plan 7 days of food: breakfast, lunch, dinner. For the last stage, only breakfast + snacks for the stage are needed. A lunch pack will be given on the return bus.
So, you need roughly 20 meals, totalling around 12,000 to 14,000 calories minimum.
Strategy – Test your meals and drinks in advance! Don’t bring 3 or 4 of the same meal unless you’re sure you like it.
Backpack weight It adds up quickly – aim to be as close to the minimum 6.5kg as possible. This does NOT include water.
Medical Advice Hygiene rules:
Never drink tap water.
Don’t share bottles or cups.
Avoid raw vegetables at hotels or elsewhere.
Stick to cooked food before and after the race.
Your digestive system will be sensitive.
Heat and stress can also cause minor digestive issues.
Don’t panic – mild diarrhea is often just your body adjusting (and it might even make you lighter!).
Limit physical contact at the bivouac.
Wash hands frequently – especially before eating or after using the toilet.
Use hand sanitizer often.
Tips for a safe race:
No self-medication If you feel unwell, don’t self-medicate.
Avoid NSAIDs like ibuprofen, Voltaren, etc. – they can cause serious complications during intense effort.
Talk to the medics instead.
No COMPEED® for blisters They melt into your skin in the desert heat and make treatment harder.
Hydration Drink according to thirst – don’t over hydrate.
Drink two diluted bouillon cubes per race day.
MDS do not provide salt tablets as they’re not recommended.
Treat pain early The earlier, the better – avoid complications.
Listen to your body Fatigue, dizziness, pain – speak to an Orange Vest!
Medical Form One week before the MDS Legendary, you’ll receive a medical questionnaire from: no-reply@logicoss.net. Filling it out is mandatory to help the medical team take care of you during the event.
Race Tracking
Friends and family can follow you on the MDS website
Live tracking page
Live webcam
EMOTION BOXES
Satellite phone
There will be some connection spots – but we recommend disconnecting and enjoying the moment.
Final stretch:
Stop training. If possible get some heat acclimation – sauna, heat chamber, hot yoga etc
Don’t stress.
Once you’re in Morocco, we take care of everything.
Enjoy it!
Any questions? Call us.
A full recap will be emailed to you next week with all these details.
It is two weeks to go, finally the big target is in your grasp, MDS The Legendary 2025 is waiting! To all intents and purposes, your training is now done. You will not get fitter in these last 14-days, only more tired, more stressed and potentially injured. Accept that the work is done, other than some easy runs or walks to keep moving and some planned heat acclimation, use the extra time that would have been used for training as planning time.
DON’T PANIC!
If you have got this far, you are in a great place.
When you break the race down, here are my TOP 20 TIPS of what to focus on for Marathon des Sable – The Legendary.
Photo by Ian Corless
MEDICAL
Make sure you have all the medical requirements fulfilled and an up to date ECG as specified in MDS rules and regulations. There can be no compromise here. The MDS medical time, quite correctly, are adamant that all protocols must be adhered to. This is for your safety.
The organization provide a medical certificate which you must download and you must have a resting electrocardiogram (ECG) report plus graph, dated less than 30 days before the start of the race.
The original documents are to be presented during the administrative, technical and medical checks on the admin day in bivouac. Failure to present these documents will incur penalties (see ART.27 et 28).
Note:
The signature and the stamp of the doctor must be applied on them.
Only the original documents, dated and signed, will be accepted (photocopy is not valid).
TRAINING
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. 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.
The Taper:
Week 2: 40km or 4.8 hours
Week 1: 20km or 2.4 hours (race week)
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 2-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.
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
Runner’s are required to be at Ouarzazate Airport on the morning of Friday April 4th. Travel is for you to plan, flights are no longer provided by the MDS organisation, however, they do offer a free transfer service from Marrakech.
To get to Morocco and Ouarzazate, you can arrive at various airports:
Ouarzazate airport – Fly to Ouarzazate before the race and spend one or more nights in a hotel (at your own expense), then come to one of the meeting points on the morning of April 4. You must arrive no later than April 3.
Marrakech airport – Shuttles will be organized on the morning of April 2 and 3, 2025, between Marrakech and Ouarzazate (5-hour journey).
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.
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. The only items you cannot take are run poles and knife-
Take spare items in your hold/ ckeckin luggage. MDS varies considerably in temperature, we get hot and cold years. Never assume it will be hot. You have the opportunity in bivouac to fine tune equipment before admin.
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. However, MDS do ptovide you with a packed lunch.
Have cash with you, depending on which airline you use, card payments are not always possible, also, in Morocco, cash is king.
ARRIVAL
Runner’s are required to be at Ouarzazate Airport on the morning of Friday April 4th see above.
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. Importantly, you can fine tune your race pack with more or less layers based on the weather forecast and conditions.
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 when you return to Ouarzazate.
Race self-sufficiency actually only starts the following day with stage 1.
Admin used to be a long and lengthy process, however, the system changed in 2024 and it was fast and seamless. Make sure you have a drink and snacks while waiting. A top tip is carry an umbrella to protect you in case of a very hot day.
RACE
The race will be 6-stages over 7-days. The distance will be 250km’s and the long day will be stage 4. There will be no Djebel El Otfal and Merzouga Dunes are back. Cyril Gauthier described the route as very beautiful and very tough. There will be a great deal of soft sand. Listen to a podcast where this is all discussed Countdown to MDS The Legendary 2025 – Two
“…and for sure it will be tough, I am not going to tell you that it will be easy! The distance will be 250km’s, I am little unhappy because I cannot put the long stage in the third position, I loved this last year, but according to our plan, we need to move it to the fourth stage. It will be tough, very tough and really beautiful. We have some amazing places planned, 80% is new tracks. You will see places never seen before in any MDS. There will be no El Otfal, there will be lots of sand and yes, Merzouga will return.” – Cyril Gauthier
Ease in to the race. Respect the challenge ahead. A slower and calmer pace on stage 1 and 2 will be rewarded on stage 3 and especially on stage 4, the long day. Remember after the long day you have a rest day. Stage 5 will almost certainly be a marathon, stage 6 a half marathon, plan for this physically, mentally and make sure you eat well to have the energy.
AFTER THE RACE
You will cross the finish line and be given a medal.
You will then be requested to board coaches that will be waiting for you. As each bus fills, it will depart for Ouarzazate, expect a 6-7 hour journey. A packed lunch will be provided.
On arrival in Ouarzazate, you will go to your hotel, your luggage will be waiting and then you have free time, dinner will be at your hotel.
The following day is a free day. In the evening it will be the awards ceremony.
Departure day, please make sure you check details for transfers to Marrakech if that is applicable for you.
Interested in another MDS event in 2025?
A full calendar of dates and destinations are available HERE
Marathon des Sables is a simple race that often becomes over complicated by too much information. Take advice, look at websites, process the information but importantly find out what works for you. We are all individual, what works for one may well not work for another.
When you break the race down, here are my TOP 20 TIPS of what to focus on for Marathon des Sable – The Legendary.
Pack – Many packs exist on the market, without doubt, the most popular is the WAA 20ltr Ultra Bag which as designed specifically for MDS events. However, we are all different sizes and shapes, what works for one, will not work for another. Get a pack that is exactly the right size and ideally just a little too small. Remember, after each day, the contents of your bag reduce, so, too much space and you will have items bouncing around. Try, as best as possible, to go no larger than 20ltr, the more space you have, the more you are likely to take. Get your pack as close to the minimum 6.5kg as possible
Sleeping bag – You can spend a great deal on a sleeping bag, so, think about your budget. Consider, do you sleep cold or do you sleep warm? There is nothing worse than being cold at night, you really need to sleep, so, a little extra weight and a good warm night is key. However, you can be too warm! Think about layers, you can get away with a lighter sleeping bag if you are taking a down jacket. If you have a jacket, you can sleep in it inside the sleeping bag for added warmth. If it is cold, make sure you cover your head, most heat is lost here.
Jacket – At a minimum take a windproof jacket such as the WAA wind running jacket. I always recommed taking a small and lightweight down jacket, many exist and the most popular are by Mont Bell, Haglofs Yeti/ Nordisk etc. A down jacket is idal for sitting around camp and as extra warmth imside your sleeping bag. Of course, if on admin day the weather is forecast for a week of excessive heat, you can decide not to take it. However, having the option is important. Recent MDS events have had varying weather and jackets have been essential.
Clothes – You just need what you will run in. However, a spare pair of socks is commonplace. No need to get new clothes and don’t worry about colours. The most important is that they are comfortable and they do not rub or chafe. Consider an option for post-run so you can be warmer and fresh, this allows run cloths to be washed through and dry, if you so wish.
Sleeping Mat – A mat is optional but I 100% recommend. You spend a great deal of time in camp sitting and sleeping. Comfort is essential and a good sleep is needed to aid recovery. Many options exist and you can get excellent products well under 400g that give you a great nights sleep.
Shoes and Gaiters – Shoes are so important. They must be comfortable, cause no irritation and they must have gaiters. A slightly wider shoe is recommended BUT be careful on advice of going a size and/ or sizes bigger. A shoe that is too big allows the foot to move, a moving foot causes friction, friction results in blisters. A thumb nail of length above the longest toe (this may not be the big toe) is recommended.
Food – You must comply with the minimum requirement of 2000 calories per day, of course you can take more. Think about what will work for you in the Sahara. What tastes good at home, may not taste good on day 3 when you are tired. MIx sweet and savoury and remember, as days pass, preference shifts away from sweet. Balance fats, protein and carbohydrate. Think about the option for recovery drinks that can be taken immdiately post-run to speed recovery and then follow with a meal. Consider if you will heat water for food, if not, will your food work with just water? And if you need coffee, look no further than NO NORMAL tubes.
Stove – The decision to use a stove is another question mark but it would appear that most runners like that hot water option. Remember though, you can make a fire from twigs, shrub and branches that surround bivouac. Pot – A pot or mug is now more essential than pre 2024. The main reason? When 1.5ltr bottles were provided, runner’s would cut them down and make a mug or pot, this option now does not exist, so, take a small titanium mug.
Water – You must be able to carry 1.5ltr of water, typically 2x 750ml bottle on the chest. However, should you wish, you can take a bladder or soft-flasks. The choice is yours, however, remember soft-flasks and bladders can puncture, so, use caution. Make sure you plan for and have the option to carry an additional 1.5ltr of water – if excessive heat occurs, the race may provide this option. Also, on the long day, the race has provided the option for extra water in the past based on course accessibility and the distance between cp’s, be prepared.
Salt Tablets – These are no longer provided and it is mandatory to carry 14 stock cubes at the start of the race. Do your research and find out what works for you.
Feet – Look after them, along with dehydration, blistered and damaged feet are a key reason for failure in any multi-day race. Prepare them before the race especially trimming nails back and knowing what socks work for you. After each day in the race, clean feet, allow them to breathe and look after them. Get any sore or hot points addressed immediately.
Mandatory kit – You are supplied with a mandatory kit list and you MUST have everything on that list.
You – Prepare mentally for the challenge. Often, the race is completed through mental grit and determination and not physical ability. Accept you will have low and high points. If it was easy, anyone would do it. You are in for the adventure of a lifetime, embrace every moment and second. This is a life changing journey and when it’s over, you’ll be desperate to return.
HEAT TRAINING – Plan to acclimate for heat in the two weeks before the race. Options exists from heat chamber, bikram yoga, sauna etc. Read an article HERE on Heat Acclimation by Dr Jodie Moss.
Training – With weeks to go, your training is nearly done. Don’t over do it. Taper gradually, be fresh for the race and in the final two weeks before the race plan heat acclimation so you are prepared ready for stage 1.
Photo by Ian Corless
Walking – Many think they will run 80% and walk 20%, if you are lucky, it’s the other way around. Make walking a positive, make walking fast, make walking productive.
Photo by Ian Corless
Poles – For many, poles are a huge advantage. They are like 4-wheel drive and without doubt, they make you walk faster. But you must train with them and learn how to use them. Get lightweight carbon ones that fold, Black Diamond and Leki are the best options.
Equipment – Keep it to a minimum. Luxuries are not needed unless they make the journey better. Make sure your pack is as close to 6.5kg as possible. Leave your phone at home or in your luggage. The only luxury I would take is a lightweight way to play music.
Friends – You will share a tent with 7 other souls. These are your brothers (and sisters) in arms and they will become friends for life. You will share the highs and lows. The desert bond is incredible. Find great tent mates and plan your group in advance of the race.
Admin and Preparation –
Take essentials on the plane and wear your run apparel and shoes. That way, should a baggage disaster happen your chances of racing improve.
Take food with you for the travel and on the plane.
The journey from the airport to bivouac 1 can be lengthy be prepared with your own snacks and drinks. MDS do provide a packed lunch.
Night 1 and night 2 in bivouac are NOT self-sufficient so take extras such as an inflatable bed, food and luxuries that you are happy to give away to the berbers. May as well have 2 comfortable nights and a comfortable day before the racing starts.
Food before the race starts is now down to you. Be prepared to have plenty of variety and remember, within reason, this can be anything!
Admin day can be lengthy multi-hour experience. Take water and snacks for when standing in line and maybe take an umbrella so you have shade.
Keep sun screen on and keep hydrated. No need to drink vast volumes – drink to thirst before the racing starts.
Make sure you have a repair kit for during the race. Accidents happen, equipment fails and the desert can be harsh.
Make sure you have a repair kit, the above is just 94g
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.
Remember that after bag drop and check-in you have no access to any additional items, however, you only become completely self-sufficient when you start the race. With that in mind, you can have additional food and luxuries with you until day 1 kick-off, it’s a useful tip and does mean that you can have additional comfort for a good 12-hours.
Conclusions:
Marathon des Sables is a magical and life changing journey as are most if not all multi-day races. It really is a true challenge of mind and body to race over many days, irrespective if you complete the race in just over 20-hours or 60+ hours. It’s 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.
Interested in another MDS event in 2025?
A full calendar of dates and destinations are available HERE
The 2025 edition of the Marathon des Sables – The Legendary is getting close, as we journey through March, we will post weekly articles to help you fine tune your preparation, here is article two.
Cyril Gauthier provides one hour of his time to discuss all things MDS, the introduction and growth of HANDI and TREK. New events such as MDS RAID MAMIBIA, MDS PERU and importantly, THE LEGENDARY.
One thing is for sure, the 2025 and 39th edition is looking to be one for the memory banks. With 80% new tracks, no El Otfal and the return of Merzouga, Cyril gives a warning, ‘make sure you take the 2 to 3-weeks before the race easy!’
“…and for sure it will be tough, I am not going to tell you that it will be easy! The distance will be 250km’s, I am little unhappy because I cannot put the long stage in the third position, I loved this last year, but according to our plan, we need to move it to the fourth stage. It will be tough, very tough and really beautiful. We have some amazing places planned, 80% is new tracks. You will see places never seen before in any MDS. There will be no El Otfal, there will be lots of sand and yes, Merzouga will return.” – Cyril Gauthier
Listen to the audio below
The show is available on SPOTIFY, iTUNES and all the other main podcast outlets.
Interested in another MDS event in 2025?
A full calendar of dates and destinations are available HERE
The 2025 edition of the Marathon des Sables – The Legendary is getting close, as we journey through March, we will post weekly articles to help you fine tune your preparation.
Following on from the 2024 edition, the longest in MDS history, the 39th 2025 edition will follow a similar format and distance. The event will take place over 6-stages/ 7-days and notably, the ‘long day’ was stage 3 in 2024, for 2025 it will return to stage 4.
All 6-stages will be timed as in 2024, previously, the charity stage was not timed.
Although the race has fluctuated in distance over the years, a distance of +/- 250km’s should not come as any great surprise and training in the build up to the event should have been planned with this in mind.
6 timed stages does make a considerable difference and that should be considered. In 2024, the long day coming on stage 3 was an extra challenge, for 2025, it returns to stage 4! Depending on how fast you complete the long day, you can have a full day and night as recovery before stages 5 and 6.
Daily distances are typically never disclosed before the race and the jury is out if the distances will be announced pre arrival in Morocco, watch this space! However, it is pretty easy to guess on approximate distances.
The 2025 MDS Legendary will look (potentially) like this:
Stage 1: 32km (day 1) running total: 32km
Stage 2: 38km (day 2) running total: 70km
Stage 3: 36km (day 3 running total: 106km
Stage 4: 80km (day 4 and 5) running total: 186km
Stage 5: 42km (day 6) running total: 228km
Stage 6: 21km (day 7) running total: 249km
Total: 249km
Three key considerations:
Expect more sand, anticipate no Djebel El Otfal and expect Merzouga Dunes. With the above information, you now have at least a template and guide for which to plan around.
“…and for sure it will be tough, I am not going to tell you that it will be easy! The distance will be 250km’s, I am little unhappy because I cannot put the long stage in the third position, I loved this last year, but according to our plan, we need to move it to the fourth stage. It will be tough, very tough and really beautiful. We have some amazing places planned, 80% is new tracks. You will see places never seen before in any MDS. There will be no El Otfal, there will be lots of sand and yes, Merzouga will return.” – Cyril Gauthier
SCHEDULE
Photo by Ian Corless
Day 1: Arrival in Morocco, transfer by bus to the bivouac in the desert, installation and overnight stay in the bivouac wih self-sufficiency.
Day 2: Day of technical, administrative and medical checks. Overnight in bivouac with self-sufficiency.
Day 3: First stage, overnight in bivouac.
Day 4: Second stage, overnight in bivouac.
Days 5: Third stage, overnight in bivouac.
Day 6 and 7: Fourth stage, the long one” – lasting 2 days, overnight in bivouac.
Day 8: Fifth stage, overnight in bivouac.
Day 9: Sixth stage, medal at the finish line, then bus transfer to Ouarzazate, overnight in hotel with half-board accommodation.
Day 10: Free day in Ouarzazate, awards ceremony, gala evening. Overnight at hotel with half-board accommodation.
Day 11: End of adventure, transfer back to airport.
BIVOUAC
Remember, from the moment you arrive in bivouac you are self-sufficient. So make sure you bring food/drink (water is provided) to cover the days before the race starts. This food can be in any form and weight as you do not need to carry it, so, be creative. Rachid for example makes a Tagine in camp…!
Also remember, you have your luggage with you before the admin protocols. So, bring extra items, warm layers, spare kit etc. That way you can fine tune equipment in a real situation. Particularly helpful when judging climate conditions. DO NOT assume that it will be hot, recent history has shown that temperatures and conditions in the desert are changing – MDS Morocco in October had rain and flooding. The recent MDS Morocco Atlantic Coast had extreme wind, cold temperatures and rain. Be prepared!
ADMIN DAY
You will have your luggage with you in bivouac before admin day. You can make last minute adjustments if required. Be prepared and make sure you comply with all rules and regulations. A pack must have a minimum weight of 6.5kg PLUS water (1.5L). You must have a minimum of 2000 cals per day. You must have ALL the mandatory kit.
SALT
The new revised mandatory requirement for the race requires 14 broth cubes – these cubes are known to be salty. You have no choice here, you must have them. In 2024 many questioned the validity, however, during and post the event the general consensus was very positive. Take note here, not all cubes dissolve the same in water, so, make sure you find a cube that works such as Knorr. My advice is to plan a strategy that works for you. Listen to my podcast with Andy Blow from Precision Hydration HERE. Remember, this is a self-sufficient race, so, be prepared to be self-sufficient and have a plan/ strategy that works for you.
WATER
Another key change from 2024 is water and how it is provided. In principal, once you start on stage 1, water is unlimited. No longer are you provided 1 or 2 1.5ltr bottles at checkpoints. Now, the blue coats will pour water from jugs in to your bottles. If you stand at a CP and then drink a full bottle, it will be refilled.
Another key note to consider is that should conditions dictate or should the organisation think that additional water will be helpful, water stations may be added between CP’s. This is very important. Typically (conditions and terrain allowing) CP’s are 10km’s apart, therefore, you may heave an additional water station at say 5km’s.
The long day may (tbc) have a requirement that you can carry extra water capacity? This extra water would potentially be provided in a 1.5ltr bottle, so, either have an extra bottle to decant this to, or, have a system to carry a 1.5ltr bottle.
After the stage finishes, water is then rationed and you are provided with 1 large 5ltr bottle. This water will be needed for your hydration post stage, cooking dinner, cooking breakfast and your water allowance to CP1 the following day. If you want to wash, that also comes from the 5ltr allowance, so, make sure you drink and eat and understand what water capacity you need before taking a wash.
FEET
Along with dehydration, damaged feet are a key reason NOT to finish MDS. Make sure you have correct fitting shoes, the right socks for you and you know how to look after your feet. Read HERE and HERE.
SAFETY
MDS has strict protocols for your safety. You will see fast response vehicles (buggies) designed to gain fast access to the most difficult and challenging parts of the desert. In addition, there are 4×4 vehicles situated throughout the course.
Each runner is using a tracker attached to their pack. This allows MDS to follow you and keep an eye on your position, it also has an emergency button which notifies the MDS team of your need for immediate response and attention.
There are also medical runner’s. These are trained medical staff who will participate during the race. They will be on the course with you and in certain scenarios, they are able to provide immediate care or attention to those who need it. They have a different coloured number so you can identify them.
Medical team personnel are trained and equipped to provide immediate attention at any location within the desert.
Finally, water is not rationed during the race, so, if you need more liquid, you can have it! Also, at key CP’s, iced water is available to enable cooling. This will be poured on your head via a blue coat volunteer. Orange jackets handle medical emergencies.
MANDATORY EQUIPMENT
Needless to say, despite what some believe, but mandatory equipment is mandatory!
Pack such as WAA Ultra Bag 20L
Minimum capacity of 1.5 litres of water
Sleeping bag
Head torch and spare batteries (you can have a charger/ solar charger)
10 safety pins
Compass with 1 or 2 deg precision
Lighter
Whistle
Knife
Topical disinfectant
Signal mirror
Survival blanket
14 cubes of broth
Sun cream
200 euro or 2000 dirhams
Passport or ID card
ECG (original doc) and medical
Roadbook (supplied on arrival)
Make sure you comply with the very strict regulations and timeline in regard to ECG and medical form.
FOOD
You need ** 14,000 calories of food, 2000 calories per day. However, 12,000 is mandatory. You can of course carry more than this, but I consider 14,000 is the minimum with the rest day. You must be able to prove the calories, so, if you decant food into lighter or different packaging, make sure you keep the nutritional information.
** Adding as clarification:
2000 calories per day, it’s a 6 stage race
BUT remember the rest day.
I see the calories as below BUT YES 12,000 cals to comply with rules.
Stage 1 : 14,000 cals – Day 1
Stage 2 : 12,000 cals – Day 2
Stage 3 : 10,000 pls – Day 3
Stage 4 : 8,000 cals (the long day) – day 4
Day 5* : 6,000 cals (rest day)
Stage 5 : 4000 cals – Day 6
Stage 6** : 2000 cals – Day 7
*Day 5 you may still be running/ walking and/ or in camp for the rest day and will need 2000 cals.
**Stage 6/ day 7 you technically only need breakfast and snacks for the stage.
WHAT YOU NEED
In addition to mandatory equipment and food requirements, you need essential items to complete the race. Use the list below as a guide:
Run top (maybe with long sleeves)
Neck roll/ Buff
Run shorts/ skirt or similar
Socks (plus maybe spare socks)
Shoes with gaiters (make sure you have the gaiter velcro sewn on well in advance)
Hat (consider cover for the neck too)
Sunglasses (make sure they have good protection and if they fit well for protection in sand storms)
Watch
Warm layer (windproof and maybe lightweight down jacket)
Foot care
Hygiene products
Toilet roll/ wipes
Lip balm
Blind fold
Ear plugs
Spoon
Pot/ bowl*
Stove**
Fuel cubes**
Sleeping mat
Pillow
Flip flops or similar
**Stove and fuel only required if you plan to heat water
*Pot/ bowl or similar will be required as now it is no longer possible to cut down a 1.5ltr bottle
Recommended
Many things can happen in a self-sufficient race and yes, equipment can fail. So, think about on-the-go repairs and what you may need.
Zip ties
Gorilla tape
Super glue
Sewing kit
Cord/ thin rope
Top Tips
Keep the pack weight as close to the minimum 6.5kg as possible, additional weight is additional stress that you do not need.
Keep luxuries to a minimum, they only add weight. A super light Mp3 player (with good battery) and earphones is the only luxury I would consider.
Accept that this is a tough challenge, you will be stripped back to a survival mode. You may not wash, you will get dirty, you will get smelly. Accept it.
Start slow and ease into the race.
Photo by Ian Corless
Poles can be a lifesaver and I recommend them but you must learn to use them. Those at the front do not need poles, they can run.
Learn to walk, walk and walk. Many go to the desert with the expectation of running 80% and walking 20%. The reality is it will be the other way around.
Look after your feet and start with the correct shoes for you.
Take a sleeping mat or pad. You only need to do three things: run, eat and sleep. Sleep and comfort is important for recovery.
Make sure you check the full rules and regulations HERE
There is always something special about a first edition race. Despite all the planning, despite tight schedules, despite ticking all the boxes, there is always an element of the unknown, a curve ball nobody expected or predicted flying in and causing a problem. Gladly, no curve ball arrived on the Atlantic Coast, on the contrary, the first edition of MDS Morocco Atlantic Coast was a huge success and without hiccup.
Morocco is obviously not a new destination for MDS, Legendary is in its 39th year and MDS Morocco, MDS Morocco Trek and Handi MDS have all happened previously, so, a new event in Morocco feels comfortable.
Close to Agadir, the MDS Morocco Atlantic Coast brings something new to MDS events in Morocco and obviously brings something special to the MDS line up.
Photo by Ian Corless
Like Fuerteventura and Peru, the ocean provides a backdrop to the race and this alone is unique. The juxtaposition of desert, dunes, beach and the roar of waves and the blue ocean make for a special environment for a race to take place.
LOGISTICS
As with all MDS events, the race is 3-stages taking place over 4-days with 3 distance options, 70km, 100km and 120km. Stage 1 and Stage 3 is the same for all participants and stage 2 is the one where a choice must be made, typically 20km, 40km or 60km. It’s a great format that makes MDS appealing for all ages and all abilities.
With 170 participants and 27 nationalities, the MDS Morocco Atlantic Coast was a great first edition. Notably, once again, female participation was around 50%. MDS are without doubt pioneering the way for female participation in their races and this must be applauded and encouraged.
Photo by Ian Corless
Travel to Morocco is easy and transfers were provided by MDS from Marrakech (appx 6-hours) or from Agadir, with just a 40-minute transfer to the race hotel, needless to say, most people flew to Agadir.
Photo by Ian Corless
A Saturday arrival and a Saturday departure, the race format had 2 nights in the hotel, 4-days and 3-nights in the desert and then a return to the hotel for 2-nights before onward travel.
The format provides an excellent opportunity to mix holiday and relaxation with sport.
THE EVENT
Saturday arrival was relaxed and with no commitments for the participants.
Photo by Ian Corless
Sunday mornning and the MDS admin protocols were in place between 0900 and 1200, this is a requirement for eah participant – equipment is checked, medical certificates are checked, GPX trackers are added to packs and race numbers are provided. The whole thing is efficient, seamless and fast.
The afternoon provided an opportunity for relaxation or sight seeing and then an early dinner and bed.
Departure time for day 1 was 0300 for a 5-hour journey to the desert. On arrival, the plan, as always, was to get the runner’s underway as soon as possible.
Highway to Hell finished and the participants departed under cloudy skies at approximately 0930.
Photo by Ian Corless
Day 1, stage 1 at 24km’s headed from an inland location and basically headed directly to the coast. The terrain was mixed, with some easy running to start the day, of course, sand featured heavily with a dune section coming just after CP1 and a final dune section concluding the race just before the finish. Temperatures reached a high of 25-degrees and it was a great first day. Bivouac awaited the runner’s and a first night in sleeping bags with self-sufficiency started. The wind blew and the temperatures dropped, a chilly night was expected. Stage summary HERE
Photo by Ian Corless
Day 2, stage 2, intermittent rain and wind blew in off the ocean and there was a sense of dread at what this day would bring, especially for those participants who would take on the 40 or 60km distances. A challenging start and just a few hours later the weather started to clear and finally, skies cleared and the sun came to make for a beautiful day, highs reached 28-degrees. The course offered an obvious challenge mixing the best of Moroccan terrain with tsome stunning dune sections. The latter km’s running parallel to the ocean to give an epic backdrop. The race wnt into the night with the final finisher arriving just after midnight. Stage summary HERE
Photo by Ian Corless
Day 3 was a welcome rest day. The skies were blue, the wind gentle and the warmth of the sun relaxing. It was a leisurely and relaxed start to the day. At 1130, blue and orange coats with participants walked to the beach and on the way cleared away rubbish and notably huge amounts of plastic. We race in these magical places and sadly, littering and pollution is high. The ocean obviously washing in debris daily. It was a huge campaign and yes, we may have only provided a small dent in what is a very big problem, however, it felt good and the difference afterwards was noticeable. The remainder of the day was releaxed, as per usual, mid-afternoon, a cold and refreshing drink was provided and as darkness came, most were already in sleeping bags gaining valuable rest before the final day.
Photo by Ian Corless
Day 4, stage 3 and what a start to the day, the wind was howling from the north bringing with it, at times, torrential rain. Runner’s were ready for the challenge though, with 2 starts, 0800 and 0930 for the top-25, the day got underway and gladly, by 0830 the rain stopped. However, the wind did not. The wind blew and blew, providing a constant headwind and relentless sand storms for the whole 27km’s. It was an epic and special day. Yes, it was hard but boy was it memorable. The joy, the emotion and the tears at the finish made the medal only more special. From the finish line, buses were waiting and as each was filled, they then departed back to Agadir for hotel comforts – shower, buffet dinner and a night in a bed with sheets and comfort. Stage summary HERE
Photo by Ian Corless
The following day was one of relaxation. Dinner was served at 1900 and then followed at 2000 hrs with a closing ceremony, awards and the showing of the MDS Morocco Atlantic Coast movie. The atmosphere was electric, the feedback incredible, the emotion high, it was a very memorable ceremony that only confirmed the success of the event. An outdoor DJ and dancing concluded the night and brought to a close this first edition.
Saturday and onward journies home.
NOTES AND CONSIDERATIONS
Photo by Ian Corless
MDS events are meant to challenge you both physically and mentally, some challenge more than others. MDS Morocco Atlantic Coast certainly falls in the latter category with challenging weather and varying temperatures. Having experienced 20 MDS events all over the world, my top-tip is ‘be prepared!’ Deserts are not always hot, they are not always dry and they are not always calm. Have with you a waterproof/ windproof layer, have with you a warm layer (lightweight down or primaloft jacket) and make sure you have eye protection. Trust me, those who did not have sunglasses or goggles for stage 3 suffered badly trying to move forward in a headwind for 27km’s.
Photo by Ian Corless
Be prepared with a variety of food choices and undesrtstand that what tastes good at home, may not taste good the desert. A balance of sweet and savoury s good and take note, as days pass, the demand for sweet becomes less.
Photo by Ian Corless
Prepare the mind for the challenge. Understand the WHY you are doing the event and be prepared for anything. The body is an amazing thing that could do incredible things, however, it needs to work in harmony and synergy with the mind to achieve your goals.
CONCLUSION
Photo by Ian Corless
MDS Morocco Atlantic Coast was a huge success. We were all tested by the weather but this only made the event more special and memorable. The MDS event team have called it the Viavaldi race as we had all four seasons. The Atlantic Coast brings something special to Morocco and in contrast to Legendary, MDS Morocco and MDS Trek, the terrain is different, unique and of course, the ocean as a backdrop is special. No doubt, this event will grow to become an MDS favourite. January is great timing, what a great way to start a year and globally, few races take place so early in the year making this an easy option for those looking for something special post Christmas.
The 2025 Marathon des Sables calendar kicks-off the a new event, MDS Morocco Atlantic Coast, a great addition to the MDS line-up and now the fourth event in the country, the others, Legendary, MDS Morocco and MDS Morocco Trek.
Photo by Ian Corless
Located close to Agadir, the MDS Morocco Atlantic Coast explores a new area of this magical country.
Photo by Ian Corless
For stage 1 it was a very early start of 0300 for the drive from Agadir and the start line.
Photo by Ian Corless
Kicking-off at 0930, 170 runners from 27 nationalities started the 23km journey with 344m+ heading north to the coastline of the Atlantic Coast. Of the 170 participants, 50% of the field are women, MDS once again pioneering the way for female participation in ultra races.
Photo by Ian Corless
The day started with hard pack runnable terrain making for easy km’s before a dune passage, followed by a gorge and finally high dunes with the glimmer of the ocean in the distance. Cloud and a chill in the air soon moved away to leave blue skies and daily high temperatures of 27-degrees.
Photo by Ian Corless
Yoann Stuck and Listy Mazille dominated the day. Yoann finishing the day in a super-fast 01:49:52 ahead of Göran Schrey and Stephan Bawey, 02:01:30 and 02:01:52 respectively.
For the women, Listy crossed the line in 02:16:58, a huge gap opened up with Janina Beck 2nd in 02:39:43. Anne-Caroline Kusinierz was 3rd in 02:43:08.
Stage 1 was a tough day, the talk in bivouac was all about the relentless sand and how the final 10km was relentlessly tough.
It was an early sleep for most and the night was a cold one. Temperatures plummeted, especially in the early hour of the following morning.
Tired! – Photo by Ian Corless
Bivouac came to life around 0500 and stage 2 eventually started at 0700.
Rachid – Photo by Ian Corless
The early km’s were relatively easy and cool. So cool that Rachid wore a windbreaker and gloves… He actually did not remove them all day despite the temperatures rising to 27-degrees.
Photo by Ian Corless
The highlight of the day was a dune section with sunrise. Pure magic with high views of the surrounding landscape.
Photo by Ian Corless
While there is no ‘easy’ running here in Oman, the km’s after the dunes were relatively flat and easy.
With Mohamed taking victory on stage 1, a slender 4-seconds ahead of his brother, Rachid, all the action would be around the Moroccan.
Photo by Ian Corless
The local Omani runner’s, especially Salah Al Saidi did all they could to put him under pressure but Mohamed is too strong. In the final 10km’s he made his move and opened a gap for the stage win in 3:05:54.
Mohamed – Photo by Ian Corless
Rachid did an amazing job to finish 2nd, 3:09:26 and Saleh 3rd in 3:10:01.
Rachid – Photo by Ian Corless
Rachid by contrast was taking it easy, with 20km’s covered he was 5-minutes behind the leaders, however, the attack came and he closed the gap effortlessly and then forged ahead with on of the Al Said.
Aziza – Photo by Ian Corless
For the women, Aziza Raji was once again making the sand and the dunes look easy. Lydia Oldham, Sally Ford and Tanja Schoenenborn are all close together, but they are fighting for second.
Lydia – Photo by Ian Corless
Tomorrow is another 40km stage, followed by stage 4 which starts late afternoon and goes into the night.
A new year and a new race for Marathon des Sables. MDS returns to Morocco, this time, the Atlantic Coast!
First editions are always special, and anticipation is high to explore the white dunes of this magical part of Morocco.
As with all MDS events, Trek excluded, participants will choose either 70, 100 or 120km’s over 3 stages in 4 days.
Located close to Agadir, on arrival in Morocco, participants will spend two nights in a hotel for relaxation and admin protocols. After the race, everyone will return to the same hotel for post-race relaxation and of course, on the final night, a gala dinner, awards and party.
2026 participants will be pioneers of this new Moroccan adventure.
RACE FORMAT
Participants choose 3 different distances: 70, 100 or 120km,divided into 3 stages.
Typical distances are as follows:
Stage 1: 25km
Stage 2: around 20, 40 or 60km
Stage 3: 25km
Stages can be completed at your own pace: walking or running.
PROGRAM
Jan 25th arrival in Morocco and night at hotel.
Jan 26th technical and medical checks, night in the hotel.
Jan 27th transfer to the desert and stage 1, night in bivouac.
Jan 28th stage 2 and night in bivouac.
Jan 29th rest day and night in bivouac.
Jan 30th stage 3 and finish followed by transfer to hotel.
Jan 31st relaxation day with awards and dinner in the eve, night at the hotel.
Feb 1st onward travel.
THE EVENT
Vast streteches of brilliant whiteness, the white dunes of the Atlantic Coast are special and an epic backdrop for this new MDS event. Away from the hustle and bustle of modern life, an epic adventure awaits everyone. Agadir and the surrounding coastline also offers an opportunity for additional exploration; epic coastline, beaches, tradition, culture and an immersive Moroccan experience.
What is the MDS?
The MARATHON DES SABLES is a unique adventure, shared by thousands of enthusiasts since 1986.
To differentiate the full distance race of 250km’s, Marathon des Sables will now be known as MDS The Legendary, reflecting the legendary status of this iconic event and its long history as a pioneer of the stage racing and multi-day format.
The ‘HMDS’ format will still follow the same protocols as before but has now dropped the ‘half’ title and moving forward, events will be called MDS Jordan, MDS Morocco, MDS Cappadocia and so on.
The MDS events are a one-week sporting adventure that combines discovery, travel, meeting new people and physically challenging yourself in a self-sufficient manner.
Since 1986, the MARATHON DES SABLES has crossed the world’s most stunning deserts with several unique concepts: the MARATHON DES SABLES THE LEGENDARY (252 km in the Sahara Desert in Morocco), the MARATHON DES SABLES (70, 100, or 120 km spread over 3 stages), and the new 2024 concept, the MDS TREK (4 stages with a total distance of up to 120 km), offering an accessible adventure with optimal comfort. These international events have seen over 50 editions in various countries such as Morocco, Fuerteventura Island, Peru, Jordan, Turkey, and offer adventures that combine running/hiking in the desert with tourism.
IAN CORLESS 