After the excitement and exertions of Stage 1, the atmosphere in bivouac shifted noticeably. The afternoon became a welcome opportunity to recover, recharge and simply absorb the unique experience of life in the Sahara.
Lunch was followed by a wonderfully relaxed few hours. Some participants disappeared into the pages of a good book, others gathered for card games and conversation. Many opted for an afternoon nap, while others simply sat quietly, taking in the silence, the vast open spaces and the incredible surroundings that make MDS Trek so special.
At 16:00, the camp came together for a yoga session in the heart of the bivouac. As bodies stretched and loosened after the previous day’s efforts, the sun gradually sank towards the horizon. The session concluded just as the desert was bathed in the warm glow of sunset, creating one of those moments that participants will remember long after the event is over.
Dinner followed, and with Stage 2 looming, it was an early night for most.
And what a stage awaited.
At either 11.7km or 15km, Stage 2 is arguably one of the most spectacular stages not only in MDS Trek history, but across all MDS events. The route showcases everything that makes racing in the Sahara so magical, combining dramatic landscapes, varied terrain and constantly changing scenery.
The stage begins gently enough with a flat opening kilometre before the route rises onto a ridge. From there, participants traverse a mixture of rocky ground and sand, gaining ever more impressive views of the surrounding desert.
Then comes one of the highlights of the entire race: a thrilling descent down a huge dune. It is pure Sahara running at its finest, with competitors able to bound down the soft sand towards Checkpoint 1.
Waiting at CP1 are water refills, shade for those needing a short respite and, perhaps most welcome of all, ice for cooling necks and helping to manage the steadily rising desert temperatures.
The journey then continues across a relatively flat traverse towards CP2. While the terrain allows runners and walkers to find a rhythm, it is the breathtaking mountain scenery that continually draws participants forward, each turn revealing another stunning vista.
At CP2, the course offers a route choice, with participants selecting between the shorter and longer options. Regardless of the decision, both routes provide a memorable journey through mountain terrain before eventually rejoining for the final push to the finish line.
Adding even more magic to the day was a stunning sunrise and the golden desert light that illuminated the landscape throughout the morning. Combined with the incredible route, it created exactly the kind of day that defines MDS Trek.
Stage 2 is undoubtedly one for the memory banks.
Results can be viewed here: HERE
Tomorrow brings the next chapter of the adventure with Stage 3, Part 1. Participants will choose between routes of 17.3km or 31.2km, but this time there is a significant difference: they will not return to the bivouac at the finish of the day.
Instead, the stage concludes deep in the Sahara, where an unforgettable night beneath a canopy of desert stars awaits.
Live Trail Results HERE
Marathon des Sables website HERE
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