B3 and back to B3, the heart stage at 31.4km’s takes place in a new area for Marathon des Sables.
Sunrise
One could say that this is a classic MDS stage with a little of everything and while the participants may be feeling a little too tired to enjoy the views, there is much to appreciate here.
Laurence Klein
Jebel Tafeguenat a highlight followed by wadi, stony terrain and small dunes. CP’s ease the journey at 6.8km, 13km and 23km.
Easy start to the day
The day started under cloud and cool temperatures after a night of sandstorms. The early pace easy, with Rachid El Morabity and Mohamed somewhere in the middle of the pack. However, this soon changed with Aziz Yachou dictating the pace.
Rachid El Morabity followed and the race was on.
Was this the day that Mohamed El Morabity would relinquish his lead and allow his brother the opportunity for a 10th MDS title? The simple answer, yes!
Full flight
As the stage progressed, Rachid and Aziz pushed a relentless pace and Mohamed dropped farther and farther back.
Mohamed watched the race pull away, strapping on his leg…
Within the final 8km, the duo of Rachid were at full pace, it was superb to watch as the master, Mr MDS, Rachid El Morabity opened a gap pushing at almost 17km’s and hour.
Aziz Yachou
Aziz grimaced trying to keep up. This was the make or break day and Rachid crossed the line in 2:11:43. Aziz followed with 2:12:23.
Aziz watching Rachid pull away!
Now, what time was Mohamed going to cross in? No doubt he was calculating a pace to make it all very close for the last day, his time, 3:04:06 (35th place) and 52:23 after Rachid.
The ranking going in to the last stage:
Mohamed El Morabity 19:19:39
Rachid El Morabity 19:20:14 (35 seconds behind)
Aziz Yachou 19:22:30 (2:51:00 behind)
It’s all becoming a blur.
The strategy for stage 6 is simple, Mohamed will recover from his leg problem but relinquish the 35 seconds to his brother whist also making sure he does not lose time to Aziz so that he finishes second. It has been a stunning El Morabity game plan, once again!
Aziza El Amrany and Rziza Raji
The Aziza’s ran together today and crosssed in 3:15:01. Rajaa Hamdaoua 3rd in 3:28:52 and Gemma Game 5th in 3:54:54.
Rajaa 3rd on stage
Stage 6 for the women will be casual with Azia El Amrany secure in 1st, Aziza Raji secure in 2nd and Gemma Game secure in 3rd.
It’s all getting too much for some.
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Time allowance 12-hours 45-minutes / 0630am and 0800 start (top 150 ranked)
The fall out from the long day is always hard. Bodies are now tired and normally, many would be saying, ‘just a marathon to go!’ But not for the 2024 edition.
Aziz Yachou
Stage 4 is 43.2km’s and to follow, stage 5 and stage 6 at 31.4km and 21.1km respectively.
Travelling north all the way to B3, this is a tough day and probably will be remembered as the soft-sand day, especially as the most challenging terrain comes at the end.
Sand and heat
With 3 CP’s at 10km, 22.9km and 30.1km, the severity of the stage is reflected with ‘additional’ water stations at 17km 37.7km.
Cooling off at the CP’s
While the early km’s allowed for easier terrain with cooler temperatures, the kick is in the tail with relentless sand and dunes from 22km all the way to the finish with increasing heat, expected at a 35-degree high, but feeling much hotter than 40-degrees for the runner’s. A tough day!
Rachid in the early 10km’s
Rachid El Morabity dictated the early pace with Aziz and Mohamed behind.
Mohamed
The trio mixed it up but by the halfway point they were all together.
Two company, three a crowd
In the closing 10km, Rachid made a notable kick and pulled away for the stage win, Aziz and Mohamed behind 3:13:24 for Rachid and 3:14:59 for the duo.
Aziza
Aziz E Amrany has been at another level this year and once again she dominated the stage from the front with another stage win in 4:29:41.
Aziza Raji
Aziza Raji followed looking relaxed and strong with a secure 2nd place in 4:53:08.
Adriana Moser
Sadly, 3rd placed runner Adriana Moser had to withdraw from the race at one of the CP’s opening the door for Gemma Game who has placed 3rd at MDS twice in the past; it maybe three times a charm! However, it was Rajaa Hamdaoua who was 3rd on the stage with 5:09:59.
The spectacle of the Sahara
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Stage 3, the feared ‘Long Day’ coming earlier in the race requires respect. Quite simply, with 3 stages still to go, energy management is key. However, it was a decision of the new organisation, to bring the long day earlier to allow participants to be fresher and have more energy for the challenge ahead. Also, with earlier starts, cooler temperatures for the early hours.
The route is a classic and arguably, I would say it is the most beautiful route of all the MDS I have experienced. It’s a tough one though!
From B2 the stoney climb to the summit of Jebel El Otfal is followed by the steep and sandy descent before a long flat run along the plateau before climbing and traversing the ridge of Jebel Joha Baba Ali, for me, one the best parts of the whole race! Another ridge follows before stoney ground and sand leads the route close to Ramlia and CP5. From here, the march continues.
Magical landscape
Ba Halou, Oued Rheris, Ras Kemouna, the salt flats, the iconic El Maharch and then a return to B2. This is a highlight tour of the Sahara that mixes plateau, technical terrain and lots of soft sand.
The 0600 start
With 7 CP’s: 12.5km, 24.5km, 35.2km, 43km, 51km, 63km and 74.5km, the requirement for extra water is important and therefore at CP1, runner’s were provided an additional 1.5ltr bottle so that they could increase their carrying capacity for the stage.
The majority of the field started at 0600 and the top-50 at 0730. While the top men and women would look to push the envelope, the early starts would mean a finish in daylight. For most, this stage is about survival and many went through the night and into the next day to get the job done.
It got hot…
The winds had eased and the temperatures rose reaching a high of 33-degrees on the stage and a ”feel’ of 40-degrees during the mid afternoon. It was certainly a day that took it’s toll with many runner’s requiring attention and of course there were sadly DNF’s – a confirmed number to follow.
Starting 90-minutes after the masses, the top-50 were soon at Jebel El Otfal and the charge lead by Rachid El Morabity for the men and Aziza El Amrany for the women.
Rachid leading early on
After the first ridge, the format was the same, Rachid pusued by his brother Mohamed and Aziz Yachou, with Aziza Raji pursuing her Moroccan friend.
Mohamed takes the lead
By the second ridge, Mohamed was in the lead, Aziz followed and then Rachid, with CP2 close, a plan was coming in to action for the El Morabity brothers, but, what was it?
What followed, was a complete surprise, Mohamed opened up a lead and continued to extend time finishing in a remarkable 7:37:47.
Getting it wrong on Jebel El Otfal
Aziz and Rachid finished in 8:31:52 and 8:31:53 respectively – what just happened? There will be more news to follow on this when I get in to bivouac and discuss with the three protagonists. For now though, Mohamed had the run of his life and Rachid is unlikely (?) to win his 10th MDS.
Yoann Stuck 4th
Yoann Stuck was 4th and Hamid Yachou 5th, 8:46:30 and 9:17:21.
Aziza El Amrany – incredible run
Aziza El Amrany is on fire this year. I have never seen her race and push so hard. It’s impressive, her victory was as equally mind-blowing as Mohamed crossing the line in 10:46:10.
Aziza Raji
Aziza Raji and Adriana Moser once again placed 2nd and 3rd, 11:24:29 and 12:05:06.
Adriana Moser
Day1 passes to day 2 and now those who have pushed through the night have another day to achieve the opportunity to fight another day.
A day of pain for some
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Stage 2, a beautiful stage of 40.8km’s travelling north to B2. This area of the Sahara has been used on multiple Marathon des Sables and rightly so, it’s an area that offers excellent terrain and visual splendour.
Breakfast before the start
The opening km’s to 6.3km ease the runner’s into the day and then the following km’s to CP1 at 12km are a challenge that sap energy.
CP2 comes at 25km however, the inclusion of an additional water station at 19.8km makes the stage more manageable.
Cold water at the checkpoints help runner’s cool off
Although the presence of soft-sand is minimal, the terrain is hard and energy sapping. CP2 to CP3 is just 8km (33km total) and then the final run in to 40.8km concludes the day.
Sand, golden light and mountain backdrops
With an 0700 start, camp was alive with. head torches as runner’s prepared for the day. A mild night and finally, the wind disappeared.
Camp life
At the start, temperatures were around 12-degrees and they stayed low till around 0900 and then the mercury rose to a predicted high of 33-degrees.
The first downhill of the day for James Miller (ZA)
Although Rachid El Morabity had a lead early on, the day was very much neutralised for the top runners in Mohamed El Morabity and Aziz Yachou. They have respect for the long day on stage 3 and they all know this will be a crucial decider for potential overall victory.
A variety of terrain for stage 2
Mohamed, Rachid and Aziz all finished roughly together and with stage 2 complete, the time are 5:22:47, 5:23:14 and 5:23:16 for Mohamed, Rachid and Aziz respectively.
Aziza El Amrany unstopple for this 38th edition.
The women’s race had the same format as stage 1 with Aziza El Amrancy forging ahead for another stage win and a more substantial time gain, her time now 6:54:06 in comparison to 7:40:32 for Aziz Raji who also finished 2nd on the stage.
Adriana Moser
Adrianna Moser concluded the stage podium with a now total time of 7:51:49 with Gemma Game and Laurence Klein at 8:04:49 and 8:26:17.
Gemma Game
Stage 3 tomorrow, the long day, starts at 0600 for the majority and the top-50 at 0730. It will be tough day with no wind and rising temperatures.
You can receive daily updates and reports on this website. Follow on IG @iancorlessphotography and @mdslegendary
It’s all change for 2024 and with the race re-using several bivouac locations, the race will have a different feel and format.
Stage 1 MDS The Legendary 2024
Admin day passed yesterday and now everyone feels settled in their new home – a tent shared with 7 other souls. Camp life is becoming normal and anticipation is high. Weather has been ‘cool’ by MDS standards, however, the wind has been relentless with constant sand storms.
The start as sand blew through the Sahara
A key change for 2024 is also earlier start times to allow easier running in cooler temperatures, stage 1 with a scheduled 0700 call and 0730 start. It means morning prep and admin is taken mostly in the dark. Today was ‘chilly’ withe temperatures around 10-deg.
B1 located close to Tafraout offers an excellent location and this area is familiar territory for Marathon des Sables.
Rachid leading early in the race.
The distance 31.1km with 3 checkpoints coming at 9.1km, 16.4km and 24.3km. In many respects, it’s a good stage 1 with mostly hard and runnable terrain and little soft sand. A key feature around 10km’s is Jebel Taourirt Mouchanne and then challenging terrain from 14km to 19km before returning to where the stage started.
Stage 1 is always taken with caution, however, at the front of the race, an earlier start, cooler temperatures and a very runnable day could only mean one thing – a fast day! Temperatures for the early runner’s remained under 20-degs and it was midday bfore temperature reached 23-degrees with a possible high of 27-degrees.
Aziz Yachou
Uncharacteristically, Rachid El Morabity dictated the pace all the way to CP1. He usually starts slow and builds speed, not today, no doubt testing everyone else. He was closely followed by Aziz Yachou, his brother, Mohamed El Morabity and then Aziz’s brother, Hamid.
Aziza El Amrany
For the women, Aziza El Amrany dictated the pace and it was a fast pace building a large margin over the competition, notably Aziza Raji.
Aziza Raji
Quickly after CP1, Rachid eased up, and Aziz passed. Rachid then almost jogged allowing hos brother to pass and Hamid. A surprising tactic.
An early start and a low sun
From the final checkpoint, it all changed again. Now Mohamed leading the charge to the line, Rachid close behind and then Aziz, 2:11:09, 2:11:36 and 2:20:33 respectively with Hamid Yachou taking 4th ahead of Ahmed Ouikhalfen, 2:20:33 and 2:25:46.
Yoann Stuck
Top Brit was John Dewey in 6th, Yoann Stuck from France was 8th.
Aziza with a dominant performance.
Aziza El Amrany was a woman with a mission today, no doubt realising that 2024 is her opportunity for victory. She crossed the line in 2:45:54 and amazingly, past MDS winner, Aziza Raji crossed the line in 3:11:53 – a huge gap after stage 1.
Laurence Klein
Adriana Moser and Gemma Game ran much of the day together and they crossed in 3:12:53 and 3:13:45. MDS legend, Laurence Klein finished 5th in 3:23:13.
The last runner on stage 1 keeping ahead of the camels.
You can receive daily updates and reports on this website. Follow on IG @iancorlessphotography and @mdslegendary
Episode 245 of Talk Ultra is with Ferdinand Charriau, head of communications for Marathon des Sable – The Legendary. In this podcast we discuss the final details as the 2024 edition is just weeks away.
The stock cubes provide a better and less aggressive provision of salt.
Water rations will not be as strict as in previous years, for example, at a CP, if you have 2 x 750ml bottles and a 500ml soft-flask, you can fill all three.
A 1.5ltr bottle will be issued at CP1 on the ‘long day’ so that it is possible to have a 3ltr capacity for the ‘long day!’
CP distances will be as usual 10 to 13km apart. HOWEVER, there will be intermediate water stations now, say at 6km +/- so you can access additional water.
There will be cold water at CP’s (not to drink) but the medical team will pour cold water to cool body temperature.
Stage starts will be between 0600 and 0730 depending on the stage and the length. For example, the ‘long-day’ will start at 0600. Most days will start around 0700 to 0730.
Email in printed format will not be provided. There will also be no email tent. However, there will be IP phones available for emergency use only. MDS ideally do not want you to use them, but, the option is there.
Mobile phones are allowed BUT you must not use them in bivouac – You must leave the camp in communicate in an isolated place. However, the MDS recommend being disconnected – be with yourself, and your tent mates.
Foot care will be as good if not better than before.
There will be fast response vehicles too – extra security en-route
There will also be medical runners – They will wear an orange bib and they will run the route for immediate response on the course.
There will be live tracking – access via the MDS website so people at home can follow.
Fuel blocks – If you have problems taking fuel. Fuel will be available in B1 and there will be enough for well over 200 people.
There will be a MDS shop in B1 selling all the mandatory kit – just in case!
Make sure you travel wearing your run apparel and carry you pack.
Meeting point is Ouarzazate airport on Friday 12th from 0800.
Be patient on arrival for passport control.
Bus transfer to B1 is approximately 6-hours. You will be given the road book. Also a lunch pack will be provided.
At B1 you will be provided a 5Ltr bottle of water, there will be a welcome briefing and then self-sufficiency starts.
There will be NO hot water provision in camp. If you want hot water, you provide it yourself.
Admin day will have a significant change and will be done via tents and not numbers as in the past, this will mean less wait time and more opportunity to sit in the shade.
Make sure you have original medical documents for admin day.
It’s important to have the minimum 2000 calories per day, but at admin, the team will not be very strict. Take personal responsibility. Have your food in bags for each day and then state the total calories in each bag.
There will be a medical emergency tent in the middle of bivouac. There will be more staff in the runner’s bivouac.
If there are any questions – email, contact on social media or call. The MDS team are available for you.
Wednesday 27th there will be an English and French broadcast.
There will be some new surprises, to be revealed in bivouac!
Now is the time to make all the final preparations for a goal that you have been building towards for 6-months, 1-year or maybe even years.
DON’T PANIC.
If you have got this far, you are in a great place.
There is time for one last key week of training, adding the final touches to make sure you are in the best shape possible, BUT, after this week you need to start easing things back, looking after yourself and allowing your body to recover, rest and get ready for what may be one of the biggest weeks of your life?
MEDICAL
Make sure you have all the medical requirements fulfilled and an up to date ECG as specified in MDS rules and regulations.
The organization’s medical certificate (to download from your online account from March 11th 2024) and the resting electrocardiogram (ECG) report plus graph, dated less than 30 days before the start of the race, i.e. from March 12th 2024, are to be presented during the administrative, technical and medical checks on 13th of April 2024. Only the original documents, dated and signed, will be accepted (unvalid photocopy). Failure to present these documents will incur penalties (see ART.27 et 28). The signature and the stamp of the doctor must be applied on them.
The electrocardiogram of effort is advised for participants over 40 years. It is not compulsory and does not replace the ECG at rest and its plan. This can be joined to the medical certificate and presented in Morocco.
TRAINING
From a training perspective, what may the next weeks looks like? Well, we are all individuals, we all have different abilities, we all have different goals, we all have different free time and the list could go on. However, I have found over the years that using a ‘percentage’ taper works across the board, irrespective of the person.
Race date: 14th April 2024
Taper schedule:
Week 4: 17th March
Week 3: 24th March
Week 2: 31st March
Week 1: 7th April
If we look at the weeks above, a taper to Marathon des Sables could look like as follows:
Week 4: 80%
Week 3: 60%
Week 2: 40%
Week 1: 20%
The percentages are based as a percentage of what would be week 5, starting 10th March. For simplicity, let’s assume that week 5 is your last big training week and it was 100km or 12-hours.
The Taper:
Week 4: 80km or 9.6 hours
Week 3: 60km or 7.2 hours
Week 2: 40km or 4.8 hours
Week 1: 20km or 2.4 hours
Importantly, keep the balance of training days the same. If you typically run 5-days a week, maintain those 5-days and reduce the volume/ intensity.
Your body needs to keep alert and active. So make sure you add some stimulus in this taper period, short periods of faster running and/ or hill work are ideal. However, do all this with the priority not to get injured. Now is not the time to get a niggle, a sprain or a problem.
ACCLIMATE
In the final two weeks of taper you need to hone in on acclimation to heat and prepare the body.
Don’t leave this to the last minute, plan ahead, especially if using a heat chamber. Heat chambers are limited and obviously, time slots are limited.
If you do not have access to a heat chamber think of other options: sauna, hot baths, bikram yoga, adding layers when running, or if you are lucky with time, arrive in Morocco early and taper in a real situation.
EQUIPMENT
You will have been mulling over equipment for months and you may well have tweaked and changed your choices. Now, with 4-weeks to go, this is the time to make sure you have everything you need and also understand what it all weighs.
Clothes must be comfortable and not rub.
Shoes fit perfectly, give no hot spots and are suitable for the desert environment and have gaiters.
Socks work for you.
Sleeping bag is light and warm.
Sleeping mat
Food
Mandatory kit
Top Tip –
Use LighterpackHERE to list all your equipment. You can see an example HERE that I used for a trip climbing in the Atlas Mountains. This is a great way to look at everything and make sure you have nothing missing.
Keep luxuries to an absolute minimum, they only add weight.
Pack and re-pack your pack to make sure you have the most comfortable solution and importantly, you have immediate access to essential items.
Read my Top 20 Tips HERE which provides a great overview of all the things you need to consider now in this final phase.
FOOD
You need a minimum of 2000 calories per day. Lay food out for each day and have a spreadsheet that itemises everything and shows the weight and calories.
Where possible, re-package food in smaller and lighter packaging. Particularly important with dehydrated meals. Read HERE
TRAVEL
Travel in your run clothing including your run shoes with the gaiters. Yes, you are going to look somewhat ‘special’ at the airport but trust me, luggage goes missing and you do not want to be the person standing in the Sahara watching your dream slip away because of lost luggage. Equally, take your run pack with all contents for the race as carry-on. You can take pretty much take everything: food, sleeping bag, essentials etc. However, check with your airline what can and cannot go on the plane.
Put your main luggage in the hold and here you can take spares, extras and options. MDS varies considerably in temperature, we get hot and cold years. Never assume it will be hot, it may not be. Before admin day you can fine tune your ‘race kit’ with more or less layers.
Purchase food and drinks at the airport to take on the plane. Also consider when you land in Morocco, you will have an approximate 6-hour bus journey to bivouac 1, take food and drink with you for this trip.
Have cash with you, depending on which airline you use, card payments are not always possible, also, in Morocco, cash is king.
ARRIVAL
You will arrive in Morocco from London or Paris on one of the arranged flights on Friday 12th April. If you are not on one of these flights, you need to be at Ouarzazate airport (typically for 0900) on the same day.
Runners will then fill buses, road books will be given and then you transfer to the desert. Expect 6-hours.
At bivouac you will find your tent and settle in.
REMEMBER food is now NOT provided and you therefore need to feed yourself on arrival day and admin day. There are no restrictions on weight or calories here, so, take as much as you want and plenty of variety, this includes drinks. Only water will be in camp.
As mentioned above, until admin, you have your luggage with you, so, you can have more layers, a more comfortable inflatable bed and some luxuries – consider what will make these days more pleasurable and comfortable.
ADMIN DAY
On admin day, prepare all your kit and make sure you have everything prepared and ready. Also make sure you have all mandatory and essential kit. Once you have passed through admin, your luggage is taken away and you will not see it again until after the race.
Race self-sufficiency actually only starts the following day with stage 1.
Admin can take a while, so make sure you take liquid and snacks and my top-tip is take an umbrella to protect from standing in the direct heat.
The 37th was a tough one from many perspectives, heat, sandstorms, route and a very long, long day at 90km. You can read my summary HERE.
30% did not make the finish, the second highest in the race history, the highest coming in 2021.
Now, all eyes, look ahead to the next edition, the 38th in 2024. Many were looking to register in May, however, Marathon des Sables communicated a delay in registrations opening till the end of June. Of course, delays are never good and of course, questions get asked.
There has been many rumours if the 37th edition would be Patrick Bauer’s last? There has been no communication on this and no confirmation, equally, for clarity, there has been no official communication of new ownership. This, I assume, will be communicated in due course.
In recent days, Marathon des Sables has communicated in multiple languages to notify of significant changes that will take place for the 38th MDS. There are 3 key points:
Words as provided by Marathon des Sables.
Point 1:
The 38th MARATHON DES SABLES will take place over 5 stages instead of 6 previously. The total distance, around 250 km, does not change, and this will only slightly change the distance of each stage:
Stage 1 from 28 to 35 km
Stage 2 from 28 to 39 km
Stage 3 from 28 to 39 km
Stage 4 (The Long One) from 75 to 85 km (over 2 days)
Stage 5 (Marathon Stage) of 42.195 km
The removal of the sixth stage will allow everyone to celebrate obtaining the Finisher medal at the end of the Marathon stage: no more stress about the ten kilometers of the sixth stage! This will also allow us to offer a more substantial Solidarity program associated with this same Marathon stage, which will strengthen support for the Solidarity MARATHON DES SABLES association.
Point 2:
The MARATHON DES SABLES is contested in food self-sufficiency: only water, in limited quantities but sufficient to cover the needs of an athlete evolving in the desert, is provided to you each day. You must take along for your entire stay in the desert everything you need to eat and prepare to eat (freeze-dried meals, semolina, cereal bars, stove, etc.). This self-sufficiency will include for this 38th edition the day of your arrival in the desert, and the day of control preceding the race. These first two days will allow you to test yourself in real desert conditions, and to reduce sanitary risks.
Point 3:
To offer you more flexibility, and to reduce the carbon footprint of the event, we will charter fewer planes than in previous years. Only 400 places will be available from Paris, and 200 from London. As usual, we will of course take you from OUARZAZATE airport to the first bivouac, in the heart of the desert. And for those who wish, free shuttles will be set up from MARRAKECH to allow you to easily reach OUARZAZATE. You will thus have the possibility of anticipating or extending your stay, or of being joined by your family, much more simply than before.
SUMMARY AND THOUGHT PROCESS
The Marathon des Sables is loved and it’s fair to call the participants, staff and volunteers a family. Without doubt it’s a community that is 37-years in the making. So, when changes come, they are often taken with a sense of held breath. Some will dislike them, some will like them, some will be indifferent and if you are new to Marathon des Sables, you will probably be no wiser as you have nothing to compare to.
For perspective, Marathon des Sables has gone through many changes in its 37-years.
In 1989 participation increased to 170. I am sure competitors from previous years did not like the increase.
In 1991 the Gulf War impacted on the race and sponsors.
In ’92’ the establishment of regulation regarding equipment and food were implemented.
’94’ Doc Trotters arrives.
In ’99’ a mobile hospital becomes part of MDS.
Internet arrives in 2000.
In 2001, the ‘long day’ originally called §The 70’ exceeds 80km.
2006 146 DNF due to heat and humidity.
In 2008 Solidarité MDS is created.
Flooding at MDS in 2009.
For the 25th edition, 1013 participants.
In 2013 the final “Charity” stage sponsored by UNICEF is introduced.
2020 Coronavirus.
2021 and D&V sweeps through MDS and causes the highest DNF rate.
2023 heat impacts on the race with 30% DNF.
Quite simply, if anything can be learned from the above, change and changes happen, planned or not. So, let’s look at the new 3 changes and see the pros and cons.
The charity stage has always been a discussion point, from my perspective, having been at the past 10-editions is that the stage has been pointless. The race is over, so, it just drags out the agony for one more day.
But the counter argument is that it provides this great opportunity for a ‘tent’ to spend the time together, in the desert as a moment of celebration.
For 2024 this stage will go. Give MDS one or two editions and I don’t think it will be missed.
The downside may well be the impact on the charity and fund raising, however, the communication says, ‘…offer a more substantial Solidarity program associated with this same Marathon stage…’ So, this addresses this point.
The race will be 5-Stages. This is no different to what has happened since 2013. The race has been 5-stages and the medal is provided at the end of the ‘marathon’ stage, stage 5. However, the release outlines the following:
Stage 1 from 28 to 35 km
Stage 2 from 28 to 39 km
Stage 3 from 28 to 39 km
Stage 4 (The Long One) from 75 to 85 km (over 2 days)
If we take the longest distance from the above, 35, 39, 39, 85 and 42.195 this provides a total distance of 240.195km.
If we take the shorter distances, 28, 28, 28, 75, and 42.195 this provides a total distance of 201.195km.
So, moving forward, the Marathon des Sables has the potential to be as long as 240.195km (a significant way from 250km) and potentially as short as 201.195km and an average distance of 220km.
In fairness, the potential to have a shorter distance race could reflect or compensate for a very difficult route, for example, a great deal of soft sand, dunes, climbing and technical terrain. And by contrast, a longer route could reflect an ‘easier’ more runnable route.
For the race to live up to ‘The Toughest Race on The Planet’ and the tag of 250km or 6 marathons may/ will need to be addressed.
One of the key attractions and challenges of MDS is the self-sufficiency. It makes the race exceptionally difficult, and this is why the race is so hard. Carrying all one requires, food, clothing and equipment is THE Marathon des Sables, and this has been copied worldwide.
This self-sufficiency is manageable as before the race, one is not self-sufficient and post-race, one is NOT self-sufficient, just ask any hotel, restaurant, or cafe in Ouarzazate!
So, the new point 2, ‘Self-sufficiency will include for this 38th edition the day of your arrival in the desert, and the day of control preceding the race. These first two days will allow you to test yourself in real desert conditions, and to reduce sanitary risks.’
The above has some pros and cons.
PROS: Ironically the mention of ‘sanitary risks’ does make one ask what element of food poisoning or similar took place in 2021? Certainly, reducing any outside risk does improve one’s chance of making the stage 1 starting line without a problem, so, being self-sufficient and relying on one’s own food addresses this.
CONS: You should NOT be testing your food strategy in the two days before the race, this should have been done before! Catering by MDS took away stress and worry, getting dinner on arrival day and then breakfast, lunch, and dinner the following day offered an opportunity to fill up on calories and dine with tent mates and others, to remove this IMO it will be seen as a negative. BUT, if you haven’t been to MDS before, you will not know difference!
My initial reaction to the removal of catering was negative. The more I have thought on it, I have started to appreciate some of the benefits. But my conclusion is that the removal of catering impacts on the MDS experience, especially for those who have been before and experienced it.
POINT 3:
Quite simply, if you are someone who likes or needs a more ‘package’ holiday experience and you are French or English, you need to enter early to make sure you are one of the 200 or 400 who will have a flight included.
Outside of this, once you enter the race, you would need to arrange your own travel. For perspective, this has always been the case for anyone outside the UK and France, flights were chartered because entries made a charter possible.
PROS: The option to arrange one’s own travel offers flexibility, such as arrive early and or depart late. You may be able to get better prices. MDS are offering free shuttles to Ourzazate from Marrakech, it roughly takes 6-hours. Carbon footprint will be saved as charter planes fly out full of runners and then home empty. They would then fly out empty and return full back to UK or France.
CONS: With only 400/200 flight options for French and UK participants, this may will impact on those ‘who want’ this option and cannot have it, maybe they will not enter? Meet point in Ouarzazate will mean increased costs as it will require a hotel stay. It’s also a 6–8-hour drive to bivouac 1 the following day. For the past few years, planes have flown to Errachidia requiring only a short drive to B1 and no hotel stay.
One point not addressed is the option to meet at Bivouac 1. This would make more sense, particularly if one is arranging one’s own travel. I personally would fly to Marrakech, then fly to Errachidia and then taxi to B1.
PRICES:
The prices for the MARATHON DES SABLES 2024 are as follow:
Offer with flight included from Paris: 3,990€/person for an individual registration and 4,090€ for a team registration (priority to the participants with French residency; then reservation has to be requested by email for other countries according to the availabilities). This offer is limited to 400 people. It includes the round trip flight from Paris to Ouarzazate.
Offer without flight: 3,540€/person for an individual registration and 3,640€ for a team registration This offer does not include flight. Participants will meet at the airport in Ouarzazate on April 12.
The prices for participants living in Great Britain, Ireland and the British Islands are as follows (different service):
Offer with flight included from London: 5,280€/person for an individual registration and 5,380€ for a team registration This offer is limited to 200 people. It includes the return flight from London to Ouarzazate.
Offer without flight: 4,680€/person for an individual registration and 4,780€ for a team registration This offer does not include a flight. Participants will meet at Ouarzazate airport on April 12.
CONCLUSION
Change is always difficult. Runners who been before may not be happy, but can they learn to accept the change? If not, they may well never enter MDS again. For those who have never done the race before, they will have nothing to compare it to, so, it will be the norm! For them, it will still be an amazing experience and one that they will prepare for based on the rules.
In regard to prices: “In the history of the MARATHON DES SABLES, many crisis have affected the organization and endangered the sustainability of the event. The Covid-19 crisis is not the least, and yet, since 2018, our rates have only increased by €90 (for an individual participant taking our planes from Paris). At the same time, the costs related to the organization of the event exploded (transport, equipment, security, etc.). The increase between the 37th and 38th editions therefore acts as a rebalancing to ensure the future of the legendary desert event. And that’s without counting on the novelties, like this famous gala evening which will close the event in style! We are fully aware that this registration fee can make it difficult for some people to participate, and we will do everything to help you make your dream come true (payment in several times, advices in your sponsorship process, etc.).”
As I was told, this is evolution, not revolution. Do you agree?
Episode 166 of Talk Ultra is here… MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone. This show is all about OMAN by UTMB with an in-depth interview with the female champion, Anna-Marie Watson. We also speak with the male champion, Jason Schlarb and he is joined by his partner and 3rd place female, Meredith Edwards.
*****
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This episode of Talk Ultra is pre-recorded and released on a timer as Ian is trekking in. Nepal. If interested, you can read about Ian’s Christmas Nepal Trek – the route, plan and the equipment he will use HERE.
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Yeray Duran and Azara Garcia triumphed at the 2018 Cajamar Tenerife Bluetrail. It was a brutal day racing and Tenerife provided the runners with four seasons in a 24-hour period. Notably, the early morning climb up Mt Teide to 3500 was tough,with strong winds and freezing temperatures.
Yeray crossed the line 12:57 after a hard fought battle with Sange Sherpa who finished in 13:12.
Azara Garcia dominated the ladies’ race, so much so, she finished 4th overall in 14:21.
IAN CORLESS 