COUTDOWN TO MDS LEGENDARY 2026 – ISSUE TWO

Posted on March 9, 2026 by talkultra

Marathon des Sables: What Actually Matters

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.

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.

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.

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.

Bring variety. Something crunchy. Something salty. Something soft. Texture matters when you’re exhausted.

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.

Reduce volume gradually. Stay mobile. Stay healthy. Combine tapering with heat work.

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.

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.

MDS WEBSITE HERE

MDS Tour and MDS Clubs for 2026

Join the MDS Clubs on HEYLO HERE.

The MDS Tour starts in January and moves from location to location, Register HERE

Follow Ian Corless

Instagram – @iancorlessphotography

Twitter – @talkultra

facebook.com/iancorlessphotography

Web – www.iancorless.com

Web – www.iancorlessphotography.com

COUTDOWN TO MDS LEGENDARY 2026 – ISSUE ONE

Posted on March 2, 2026 by talkultra

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Make sure your shoes have gaiters so no sand can get in the shoe.

Safety on Course

The race operates under strict safety protocols.

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.

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:

Running top, possibly long sleeve
Neck roll or Buff
Running shorts or skirt
Socks, and spare pair
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.

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.

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.

MDS WEBSITE HERE

MDS Tour and MDS Clubs for 2026

Join the MDS Clubs on HEYLO HERE.

The MDS Tour starts in January and moves from location to location, Register HERE

Follow Ian Corless

Instagram – @iancorlessphotography

Twitter – @talkultra

facebook.com/iancorlessphotography

Web – www.iancorless.com

Web – www.iancorlessphotography.com

MDS 120 ATLANTIC COAST 2026 – STAGE 3

Posted on January 31, 2026 by talkultra

Stage 3 of the MDS 120 Atlantic Coast wasn’t about pace. It was about heart. Twenty-seven kilometres stood between every runner and the finish. The final stage. The one that decides how the story ends.

The day opened under a heavy sky. Low cloud hung over the coast, light rain drifting in and out, just enough to cool the skin and sharpen the mood. It felt serious. Proper. A stage that demanded respect.

From the first steps, the terrain made its intentions clear. Soft sand soaked up energy. Feet sank, calves burned, rhythm disappeared. Progress came the hard way, one honest stride at a time.

Then there was the Atlantic – Wild. Loud. Unapologetic. The ocean pushed high up the beach, swallowing the firm running line and forcing everyone into deeper, slower sand. The final ten kilometres became a test of patience and grit. Shoes heavy with water. Legs tight. Eyes fixed forward. The sound of the waves constant, relentless, daring you to stop.

Every runner carried their own journey into those final kilometres. Some had 70 kilometres in their legs. Others 100. Many the full 120. Different distances, same effort. Same doubts. Same determination.

And then, finally, the finish.

Not a sprint. Not fireworks. Just raw, unfiltered emotion.

Tears mixed with rain. Smiles broke through exhaustion. Hugs lasted longer than words. That medal, placed gently around tired necks, meant everything. It wasn’t just metal. It was proof. Of discipline. Of resilience. Of promises kept when quitting would have been easier.

This is what the Atlantic Coast gives you.

It gives you challenge. It gives you atmosphere. It gives you moments where the world narrows down to breath, movement, and will. And in return, it gives you something rare. A finish that feels truly earned.

If you’re looking for a race that stays with you long after the sand is washed from your shoes, this is it. The coast is waiting.

MDS Tour and MDS Clubs for 2026

Join the MDS Clubs on HEYLO HERE.

The MDS Tour starts in January and moves from location to location, Register HERE

Follow Ian Corless

Instagram – @iancorlessphotography

Twitter – @talkultra

facebook.com/iancorlessphotography

Web – www.iancorless.com

Web – www.iancorlessphotography.com

MDS 120 ATLANTIC COAST 2026 – STAGE 1

Posted on January 26, 2026 by talkultra

Stage 1 of the 2nd edition of the MDS 120 Atlantic Coast marked a powerful and inspiring beginning to the adventure in Morocco, where the desert meets the Atlantic Ocean. A field of 250 participants set out on this opening day, with an impressive 80 percent taking on their very first MDS experience. Just under half of the runners were women, and the age range spoke volumes about the inclusive spirit of the race, from the youngest at 19 years old to the oldest at 78. With 30 nationalities represented and the support of 147 dedicated staff, the event immediately felt global, vibrant, and alive.

This first stage covered 23km, with 343m of elevation gain, following a point-to-point route along the Atlantic coast. Checkpoints were placed at 9.1km and 17km, guiding runners through a constantly changing landscape.

The terrain offered little rhythm. Soft sand drained energy, dry river beds broke momentum, and rocky plateaus demanded focus and careful footwork. While the elevation profile looked modest on paper, the reality underfoot made it a demanding day from start to finish. The sand, in particular, turned every step into a test of patience and strength.

The challenge began long before the start line. A 2am wake-up, followed by a 3am departure and a lengthy transfer, asked a lot of the runners before dawn had even broken. Yet spirits remained high. These athletes were fully self-sufficient, carrying everything they needed on their backs, managing their nutrition, hydration, and equipment as they moved across the course. It was a true test of endurance, organisation, and resilience.

Despite the early start, the travel, and the relentless terrain, the performance across the field was outstanding. Every runner dug deep, and the final participant crossed the finish line well within the cut-off time, greeted with applause and encouragement.

As the sun dipped and the day drew to a close, the runners settled in for their first night under the stars on the Atlantic coast. Tired legs, sandy shoes, and quiet smiles told the story of a hard-earned first stage completed. It was a demanding, memorable opening chapter, and a clear signal that the MDS 120 Atlantic Coast is as much about heart and determination as it is about distance.

MDS Tour and MDS Clubs for 2026

Join the MDS Clubs on HEYLO HERE.

The MDS Tour starts in January and moves from location to location, Register HERE

Follow Ian Corless

Instagram – @iancorlessphotography

Twitter – @talkultra

facebook.com/iancorlessphotography

Web – www.iancorless.com

Web – www.iancorlessphotography.com

MDS ULTRA : One Push, Two Distances, and a New Desert Legacy

Posted on January 13, 2026 by talkultra

Forty years after the first chapter of desert racing was written, a new one opened in the Merzouga region of Morocco with the inaugural edition of MDS ULTRA. This was not a return to the past, an acknowledgement of history but also a clear statement of intent – one race, two distances, no stages and no reset. Just a single, continuous effort across the desert, with runners committing to either 100 kilometres or 100 miles within a strict 40-hour time limit.

Set against the wide, open landscapes surrounding Merzouga, the race introduced a different way to experience the Sahara. Held in winter, the conditions reshaped the challenge. Days offered pleasant, manageable heat that allowed athletes to settle into rhythm and pace. Nights told a different story. Temperatures dropped fast, the cold biting through fatigue, turning the long hours of darkness into a test of preparation, focus, and resolve. Managing layers, energy, and morale became as important as managing speed.

The course reinforced a stripped-back philosophy. Predominantly flat and designed with less soft sand, for some, it encouraged sustained running, for others, the distance and challenge required survival marching. But flat did not mean easy. Over such distances, the lack of variety became its own challenge. Every mistake was amplified, every slowdown hard to recover from. The desert demanded patience and discipline, hour after hour, the cold nights bringing the greatest challenge.

On the ground, the scale of the operation matched the ambition of the format. Five life bases were positioned across the route offering a place to sleep, food, a warm fire and incredible support. Nine water stations filled the gaps in-between and a team of 147 staff working across logistics, medical care, safety, and race control made the whole thing tick. Organisation was tight, communication clear, and participant safety central throughout.

The racing itself gave the event its heartbeat. Athletes from 30 countries lined up, bringing an international energy to the desert, with women making up 30 percent of the field. What followed were two races and countless individual battles. In the 100-mile event, Martin Gallardo charged ahead in the early stages of the race, but after 40km’s, Maryline Nakache delivered a standout performance, coming from behind taking the outright win. In the 100-kilometre race, Adriana Moser claimed second place overall behind Sergio Turull, Francesca Canepa placing third – a podium underlining the depth and quality of competition across both distances and the dominance of women in the ultra distance.

But beyond the podiums, MDS ULTRA was 40-hours of stories. The glory of victory played out at the front, while deeper in the field some runners faced the agony of a DNF – forced to stop by injury, exhaustion, or the quiet accumulation of small failures.

For others, the reward was simpler and just as powerful: survival. Reaching the finish after a single, unbroken push through heat, cold, daylight, and darkness.

This first edition of MDS ULTRA established its own identity – it honoured Morocco’s and the MDS desert racing heritage without trying to recreate it. Fast but unforgiving, simple in concept and demanding in execution, it proved that even after four decades, the desert still has new ways to test those who dare to cross it.

MDS Ultra 100-mile Podium 🏆

🥇 Maryline Nakache — 18:17:10

🥈 Martin Gallardo — 19:23:02

🥉 Jean-Baptiste Bouchoux — 20:11:06

MDS Ultra 100km Podium 🏆

🥇 Sergio Turull — 11:53:27

🥈 Adriana Moser — 12:22:43

🥉 Francesca Canepa — 13:17:27

Full results HERE

MDS Tour and MDS Clubs for 2026

Join the MDS Clubs on HEYLO HERE.

The MDS Tour starts in January and moves from location to location, Register HERE

Follow Ian Corless

Instagram – @iancorlessphotography

Twitter – @talkultra

facebook.com/iancorlessphotography

Web – www.iancorless.com

Web – www.iancorlessphotography.com

MDS 120 MOROCCO 2025 – STAGE 3

Posted on October 17, 2025 by talkultra

There are moments in life that will etch themselves into your memory with brutal clarity, the sting of the sun, the whip of the wind, the bite of fatigue. And then there are moments that transcend all that. Moments that shine because of what it took to get there. Today, that moment came. MDS 120 Morocco 2025 is complete. But this finish line didn’t come easy.

The Rest Day That Wasn’t

After the double blow of Stage 1 and 2 under an unforgiving sun, participants staggered into the bivouac with blistered feet and salt-crusted skin, ready for a day of rest.

But the Sahara had other plans. Instead of recovery, they got afternoon chaos: a wild sandstorm that tore across camp like a runaway train. The sky turned thick and orange. Tents collapsed. Gear went flying. People huddled in whatever shelter they could find, eyes wrapped in buffs, trying to breathe through the dust. It lasted for hours. When it finally passed, silence hung in the air, but it wasn’t peace. It was exhaustion.

This was not the rest day anyone hoped for. But there were plenty of moment of relaxation before the chaos – lots of sleeping, adding entries in journals.

and towards the end of the day, as the wind calmed, MDS organisation offered a treat – no longer a cold can of Coke – today, fresh fruit and ice.

At 0400, camp began to stir. Bleary-eyed runners rose in darkness, fumbling with head torches and gear. The temperature hadn’t dropped. The air felt thick and warm, like the desert was still holding onto yesterday’s rage.

By 0530, the first runners were off. Headlamps cut through the pitch, bobbing along as the desert slowly took shape in the dim light. At 0630, the top-10 runners launched like arrows, chasing the dark down.

Then, something no one expected happened. It started softly. A few drops. Then more. Rain. Actual rain falling from a sky that hadn’t offered a single kindness in days. No one ducked. No one cursed. No one complained. Smiles broke out, quiet and stunned at first, then wide and wild. Some raised their faces to the sky. This was a blessing. A strange, surreal gift. The desert, finally, exhaled.

Stage 3 unfolded under gentler skies. The sun eventually returned, but not with the same vengeance. The course was still brutal – sand, rocks, one climbs that never seemed to end, but the worst of the heat was gone. Spirits rose with every kilometre. Runners, ragged but relentless, began to believe the finish was real.

One by one, they crossed the line. Some ran with everything left in their legs. Some limped, leaning on poles. Some clutched hands with teammates or strangers who’d become family over theirshared suffering. And when that medal was placed around their necks, the tears came freely. No shame in them, only pride, release, and the overwhelming relief of completion.

There were cheers. Applause. Laughter. People hugging like they never wanted to let go. Cameras flashed. Medals clinked. Bodies that had been pushed to the limit stood a little taller.

Behind every finish was an army in blue and orange.

The MDS team, the volunteers, medics, logistics crew, water distributors, checkpoint staff, tent builders, camp runners, sweepers, and everyone else in between—made this journey possible.

They were the quiet hands who carried everyone forward. The steady voices in the storm. The ones who handed out water in 47°C heat, packed and re-packed tents, tended to blisters, and kept this chaotic caravan moving across an unforgiving land. Their work wasn’t glamorous. It was relentless. And it matters more than words can say.

MDS 120 Morocco is more than numbers. More than distance. It’s more than the desert.

It’s about finding out what lives under your skin when the comfort is stripped away. It’s about running into the teeth of the wind and not turning back. It’s about community, people who arrive as strangers and leave as family. It’s about believing you can, even when everything hurts, and then proving it.

No one who stood on that start line is the same at the finish. And that’s the point.

So to every runner who dared to take this on: you are fierce, you are strong, and you’ve earned every second of this glory. This medal means more because you fought for it.

MDS 120 Morocco is complete. The desert tried to break us. But we endured. And that’s the story you’ll tell forever.

FULL RESULTS AVAILABLE HERE

Interested in a MARATHON DES SABLES EVENT? More Info HERE

Follow Ian Corless

Instagram – @iancorlessphotography

Twitter – @talkultra

facebook.com/iancorlessphotography

Web – www.iancorless.com

Web – www.iancorlessphotography.com

MDS 120 MOROCCO 2025 – STAGE 2

Posted on October 15, 2025 by talkultra

Stage 2 of the MDS 120 Morocco 2025 delivered a punishing reminder of what this race is all about: endurance, resilience, and respect for the elements. With three distances on offer – 20km, 40km, and 60km – runners set out early under revised start times (0630 and 0730 for the top contenders) after stage 1’s extreme heat forced organizers to adapt. It was a smart move. By midday, temperatures soared beyond 45°C, turning the day into a battle of grit and survival.

The day began deceptively calm. The early morning was still and silent, with no wind and nothing to offer relief from the sun’s growing intensity. As the hours ticked on, the heat built steadily, baking the desert landscape and punishing any runner who dared to underestimate it.

This wasn’t just another day in the desert. It was a brutal test across unforgiving terrain – soft sand, rugged mountain passes, exposed plains, and technical ridgelines. There were no shortcuts. No hiding from the sun. Just a long, scorching path to the finish.

In the longest and toughest of the three routes, Rachid El Morabity did what he does best, dominate. The Moroccan ultra running legend took charge of the 60km stage, navigating the heat and terrain with trademark efficiency. His command of desert racing was evident, even in conditions that forced many to slow, stop, or drop out.

But this wasn’t just about speed — it was about survival. Pacing, hydration, and heat management became as important as footwork. Every decision counted.

On the women’s side, Julia Villanueva had a standout performance. Pushing through the worst of the afternoon furnace, she took the lead overall, ahead of Véronique Mueller-Berberat. Villanueva’s effort was both smart and strong, a calculated drive through the toughest part of the course when many were simply trying to hang on.

In the 100km event, which saw runners take on 40km in Stage 2, Lorick Buckin emerged as the new leader. He now holds a slim margin ahead of Louis Godeman, setting up an intriguing contest for the final day.

For the women, Elaine Caron-Gaudet rose to the challenge, building a lead over Charlotte Van Strydock. Both showed real composure in the heat, but Caron-Gaudet’s consistent pace gave her the edge on the day.

The 70km competitors ran their second stage under the same conditions, with Farid Alouani pulling ahead in the men’s standings. On the women’s side, Louise Marcant now leads the pack — a reward for measured effort across chaotic conditions.

This wasn’t a stage that wrapped up neatly by afternoon. It dragged into the night, with the last runner crossing the line at 23:04 – nearly 17 hours after the first starters. For many, it was less a race and more a trial by fire.

Whether running 20, 40, or 60km, every participant faced the same relentless sun, the same unshaded miles, and the same internal struggle: keep moving or give in. Water checkpoints became lifelines. The heat was no longer an obstacle; it was an adversary.

Respect the Heat. Respect the Race.

Stage 2 of MDS 120 Morocco 2025 will be remembered for one thing: its raw brutality. The course was hard. The heat was harder. And yet, hundreds pushed forward. Not everyone finished with a personal best, but finishing at all was a feat of determination.

This wasn’t just another day on the trail, it was the kind of stage that defines an event. One that strips things down to basics: survive, adapt, endure.

Stage 3 looms next. The bodies are tired. The desert, as always, is waiting.

Interested in a MARATHON DES SABLES EVENT? More Info HERE

Follow Ian Corless

Instagram – @iancorlessphotography

Twitter – @talkultra

facebook.com/iancorlessphotography

Web – www.iancorless.com

Web – www.iancorlessphotography.com

MDS 120 MOROCCO 2025 – STAGE 1

Posted on October 13, 2025 by talkultra

The 2025 MDS 120 Morocco roared to life this morning at 08:00 sharp under a glowing desert sunrise and clear, windless skies. Stage 1, a 25km loop through the heart of the Moroccan Sahara quickly reminded everyone why this race is not for the faint of heart.

With checkpoints at 8.5km, 12.4km, and 19.7km, the route unfolded across varied terrain that punished and amazed in equal measure.

The temperature soared early, peaking at 32°C in the shade—but shade was a rare luxury. Out in the dunes and rocky passes, it felt much hotter.

The stage featured 509 meters of elevation gain and four demanding climbs. The highest ascent, topping out at 837 meters. The route was a grind over soft sand, stony trails, and shifting ground that sapped energy and tested resolve.

Despite the brutal conditions, the elites wasted no time. As expected, Morocco’s own Rachid El Morabity cruised to victory in 02:22:37, showing his class and desert mastery once again.

On the women’s side, Véronique Mueller-Berberat delivered a commanding performance, finishing in 03:31:23.

Today was more than just a race, it was a trial by heat, sand, and elevation.

The loop offered sweeping views and raw Saharan beauty, but it demanded everything in return.

Tomorrow, the challenge deepens with Stage 2, offering three route options: 20km, 40km, or 60km.

Whether racers go short, long, or ultra, they’ll need to dig deep again—this desert doesn’t let up.

Full results available on LiveTrail.

Interested in a MARATHON DES SABLES EVENT? More Info HERE

Follow Ian Corless

Instagram – @iancorlessphotography

Twitter – @talkultra

facebook.com/iancorlessphotography

Web – www.iancorless.com

Web – www.iancorlessphotography.com

Countdown to MDS 120 Morocco and MDS Trek Morocco: Anticipation Builds After Fuerteventura Cancellation

Posted on September 21, 2025 by talkultra

After the last-minute cancellation of MDS 120 Fuerteventura, the focus now shifts firmly to Morocco, where two cornerstone events are about to take center stage: MDS 120 Morocco and MDS Trek Morocco. Anticipation is high, the energy is back, and participants are ready for the desert challenge they’ve been waiting for.

What Are MDS 120 and MDS Trek?

The MDS 120 is a three-stage, four-day 10/100 or 120 km endurance race in the desert, modelled after the legendary Marathon des Sables but in a shorter, more accessible format. Athletes carry their food and gear, manage their effort in the heat, and experience the highs and lows of true desert racing, every kilometer tests both body and mind.

The MDS Trek shares the same landscapes and spirit as all MDS events but swaps competition for exploration. Designed for adventurers and walkers, it offers a supported trek across the Sahara, with each stage a new chance to discover the desert at a different pace. Participants are not self-sufficient, camp has more luxury and yes, even showers are possible!

The Journey Into the Desert

The adventure begins well before the start line. Most participants first gather in Marrakech, where the atmosphere is electric as athletes and trekkers from around the world converge. From there, MDS arrange transfers over the High Atlas mountains to Ouarzazate, often called the “door of the desert.”

Two hotel nights in a hotel with administration protocols, then the caravan heads deeper into the Sahara. The transfer to Bivouac 1 marks the true start of the experience: the desert horizon stretching endlessly, the iconic WAA tents awaiting, and the realization that the adventure is about to begin.

MDS 120 Morocco:

MDS Trek Morocco:

Looking Back at 2024

The 2024 editions showed the enduring strength of the MDS spirit. Morocco delivered outstanding editions and for MDS 120, there were some challenging climatic conditions with rain and flooding.

MDS Trek, was business as usual with classic Morocco weather. Participants took on dunes, jebels, and starlit nights. These moments reinforced Morocco’s reputation as the spiritual home of the Marathon des Sables.

Why 2025 Will Be Bigger and Better

In 2025, expect the same, but amplified. The organisers have doubled down on delivering unforgettable events, and the buzz suggests the community is ready for it. The MDS 120 Morocco will push competitors harder, while the MDS Trek will continue to offer an inclusive and inspiring path through the Sahara.

And Then Comes Jordan

The adventure doesn’t stop in Morocco. Just weeks after the conclusion of the MDS Trek, the focus shifts east for MDS 120 Jordan, where runners and trekkers will swap the Sahara for the dramatic landscapes of Wadi Rum. It’s a quick turnaround, but for those chasing the full MDS experience, it’s the perfect continuation of a year dedicated to desert discovery.

The countdown is on.

Morocco awaits.

Interested in a Marathon des Sables event? More information HERE

WAA apparel HERE

Follow Ian Corless

Instagram – @iancorlessphotography

Twitter – @talkultra

facebook.com/iancorlessphotography

Web – www.iancorless.com

Web – www.iancorlessphotography.com

Episode 254 – Amy McCulloch ‘RUNNER 13’

Posted on September 17, 2025 by talkultra

Amy McCulloch is a world-renowned author who in 2022 toed the line of the iconic Marathon des Sables. The race and the experience planted seeds for a story, one of ultra-running and mystery. In June 2025, ‘RUNNER 13‘ was released.

Amy McCulloch is the internationally bestselling author of BREATHLESS, MIDNIGHT (also known as THE GIRL ON THE ICE) and RUNNER 13 – coming out worldwide in Summer 2025. She has also written eight novels for children and young adults, including the #1 bestselling YA novel The Magpie Society: One for Sorrow. In September 2019, she became the youngest Canadian woman to climb Mt. Manaslu in Nepal — the world’s eighth highest mountain. She has also summited the highest mountain in the Americas, Aconcagua, in -45C and 90kmph winds, and has visited all seven continents. In 2022, she completed the 36th Marathon des Sables, a 250km stage marathon through the Sahara Desert. She is also an A-licensed skydiver. She is currently working on her next adult thriller, continuing to draw inspiration from her adventures.

Amy joins the podcast to discuss the book and her MDS story.

Amy at the 2022 Marathon des Sables ©iancorless

My thoughts on the book:

Runner 13 is a thriller that drops readers straight into a deadly stage race across the Sahara, echoing the notorious Marathon des Sables in Morocco. McCulloch’s own experience running that event shapes every detail – the brutal desert landscape, the psychological toll, and the obsession with endurance that defines the sport. The story follows Adrienne, a once-great ultrarunner forced back into competition, and Stella, daughter of the race’s manipulative director, Boones, whose events, modelled on real-world extreme events, aren’t designed to be won, but to break runners. Central to the mystery is Runner 13, a symbol of both glory and doom. Told in sharp, cliff-hanging chapters that jump between present and past, the novel feels like Agatha Christie transplanted to the Sahara: a brutal race where survival, not victory, is the prize, and where Morocco’s desert becomes both the setting and the trap.

If you have participated in Marathon des Sables, the narrative of the book will feel familiar, you will relive your desert experience and of course, the added bonus of a murder mystery only makes the book more interesting. For newbies to the desert, rest assured, the book will be a wonderful escape and it can only make your future event even more ‘hotly’ anticipated – hopefully, the murder mystery element will be missing.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST