In addition, Sondre Amdahl from Norway will also join our four coach team. Sondre was 9th male at the 2016 Marathon des Sables and 6th place at Oman Desert Marathon. He is also a very experienced single-stage ultra and mountain runner.

Introduced at the 2019 camp, we were joined by Running Reborn founder Shane Benzie. Shane is ‘the man’ when it comes to running technique and his workshops and technology have been instrumental in the success of many athletes. Read more HERE. He was a real hit in 2019 with his knowledge and returned in 2020. We hope he will be able to join us in 2021.

“I took part in the 2020 Lanzarote training camp and simply cannot recommend it highly enough. Not only was it efficiently and professionally run and provided me with extensive and priceless advice about the upcoming MDS, it was also hugely enjoyable and enabled me to have the wonderful experience of meeting new people whom I know I will remain in touch with. The camp suits all level of ability as you are split into groups from day one. You are also free to change groups should you wish. I’m an inexperienced runner in formal events and quite frankly I only decided to attend as I thought I required a crash course in everything MDS to assuage my panic at the increasing proximity of the race. The whole experience brought the race alive for me and instilled a confidence that finishing it is indeed, an option. A special mention should be given to the tutors whose friendliness, humour, patience,attention to detail and overall professionalism were an inspiration and confidence boosting force for everyone. It wouldnt be an exaggeration to describe the 2020 Camp as an absolute game changer for me. Roll on the 2020 MDS.” – Andrew Wyatt

 

BOOKING FORM HERE

 

Listen to feedback from the 2016 camp HERE

View images and read daily summaries from the 2016 camp HERE

Sabrina Pace Humphreys attended our 2018 camp and she provided some great thoughts and feedback HERE

Lanzarote offers a variety of terrain that can be found in many desert races and therefore it’s the ideal training ground to prepare and acclimatize for an up and coming challenge.

The camp will provide workshops where it will be possible to discuss and test apparel and specific multi-day kit.

You’ll be able to try dehydrated food and test your hydration strategy in a real situation.

You’ll spend a night out under the stars in your sleeping bag and importantly, you’ll be able to test your pack and work out what works and what doesn’t work.

In addition to all this you’ll have 7 days of training geared towards your targets based around your ability and experience. This camp is for everyone; experienced or novice.

Club La Santa as a resort offers a great base and all facilities are included. This is great for relaxation, an opportunity to cross train or more importantly it’s perfect for friends and family to join you as a plethora of opportunities are available.

INFORMATION

The purpose of any training camp is to provide you with specific information and training designed specifically to help you with your future objectives. Although you may run (train) more in this condensed week, it’s not designed to break you! Therefore, all training sessions are flexible and you can dip-in and dip-out as required. Most importantly, just as in any race, we will have a very mixed ability base. You will therefore train at your appropriate pace with like minded people.

Each day will be broken down into one or two specific training sessions, one workshop and leisure time.

 

Club La Santa as a resort is a great destination for a training camp due to its proximity to Morocco, mixed terrain and the excellent facilities available within the Club La Santa complex. Over 30 different sports are available ‘free’ to anyone staying within the complex and of course they can be included within your schedule or during your free time.

Apartments at Club La Santa are functional and consist of a lounge/ diner with kitchen, bedroom with 2 x single beds and a bathroom. The lounge area coverts to 1 single bed. Apartments are for 2 adults sharing and 1 or 2 children can join for free as required.

Club La Santa has 4 restaurants: Atlantico is a buffet restaurant, Pool Bar is located outside near the swimming pools and is great for lunch, casual drinks and evening dinner, La Plaza and El Lago are based within the complex and offer a more formal dining experience. La Santa village is less than 2-miles from the CLS resort and a selection of excellent local restaurants are available. Finally, apartments do offer the option to self cater, however, you will find that evenings in CLS are about getting together, relaxing as a group or in smaller groups and bonding. Just as you would in bivouac.

SCHEDULE

Thursday 7TH

Travel to Arrecife from the UK. Easyjet offer a selection of very affordable flights from London, Bristol, Midlands and Liverpool. Ideally an arrival time at CLS before 1700 hours is preferable.

A taxi from Arrecife airport to CLS is 35-50 euros and that is for 1-4 people. Journey time is less than 30-minutes. Where possible, we can look at journey times and connect people prior to departure so it will be possible to share taxi costs.

1700 – 1800 Group run as an introduction, maximum 1-hour.

1900 – 1930 Group welcome, introduction of coaches and briefing about the week ahead

2000 – 2200 Group dinner (payable locally)

FRIDAY 8TH

Important – unless otherwise stated, all sessions will meet at the run track. Please be punctual. All sessions will start on time.

0800 – 1030 Volcano run loop

1130 – 1300 Shane Benzie talk

1430 – 1630 Group 1 with Shane Benzie at the run track and group 2 do coastal run.

1630 – 1830 Group 2 with Shane Benzie at the run track and group 2 do coastal run.

SATURDAY 9TH

0900 – 1300 Coastal run in 4 groups with technical terrain

1400 – 1600 Foot care workshop w/ Elisabet Barnes

1700 – 1900 Volcano hill reps at sunset. BRING head-torch for night run skills and run back to Club La Santa.

FRIDAY 10TH

0745 – Meet CLS reception area (prompt)

0800 – Depart in coach for UGA

0915/0930 – Long run/ jog/ walk back to CLS – This will be an endurance session covering somewhere in the region of 40km based on the speed and group abilities.

1700 – 1900 Talk by Elisabet and Sondre

MONDAY 11TH

0900 – 1200 Run to Montana Soo and technical ridge climb and descent

1400 – 1600 Talk – Food and Hydration for a multi-day race.

1700 – 1830 Evening Run

TUESDAY 12TH

0900 – 1200 Ridge run

1500 – 1630 Self-sufficient run to bivouac via Famara coastal run and then overnight camp.

WEDNESDAY 13TH

0730 – 1200 Soft sand run session from bivouac

1500 – 1700 Talk on equipment for a multi-day race, food and nutrition for a multi-day race and how to taper.

1900 – Group drinks followed by farewell meal at El Largo

THURSDAY 14TH

Homeward journeys

PLEASE BOOK YOUR TAXI OR BUS AT CLS RECEPTION.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

This training camp is designed to provide an insight into the demands that a multi-day adventure will bring. It is aimed at all abilities and although training and adaptation is a key element of the camp, it is not the most important aspect. Your week in Lanzarote has been designed to provide you with all the information you will need in a ‘real’ environment so that you can ask questions and make mistakes during your training week, not during your race. Leave nothing to chance!

PRICE PER PERSON (exc flight)

£995 pp

A non-refundable £200 deposit secures a place fo shared occupancy, £400 for solo-occupancy.

This includes a self-catering apartment on a share basis. Inclusion in the above schedule and access to all facilities within the Club La Santa complex.

Solo Occupancy apartment £1495

What is not included?

Food and drinks are all payable locally. Any additional day trips or excursions and flights/ transfers to and from the UK and internal transfers to and from the airport in Lanzarote.

How to book?

BOOKING FORM IS HERE

Feedback

What a fantastic training week at La Santa in Lanzarote. Thank you to all my fellow runners, walkers and coaches for an inspiring and unforgettable experience. I loved meeting you all and can’t wait to share the MDS experience in ten weeks. Good Luck in the training and Stay healthy! – Jamie

Thank you everyone for an amazing week. I loved meeting you all and have been inspired by your dedication to the race goal. Almost made me want to sign up for MdS again…. only almost. I look forward to tracking you in the various races. Good Luck! Stay healthy! Happy (balanced) training. And Enjoy! – Ciara

Thank you all! I’ve learnt so much and had a fantastic time! Hopefully see you all again soon and good luck with all your races and adventures in 2018, hasta luego! – Evan

What a week with incredible and inspiring people. I’ll be so envious seeing you all jet off to your adventures in the coming week and wish you all the very best of luck in your races. Be looking forward to tracking progress!! Adios Amigos – Mikey J

Thank you all for being such a friendly bunch. To those who have done MDS before and have shared their experience, the coaches and fellow first timers like me, it’s been a pleasure to spend time with you. See y’all in little over 10 weeks. Stay safe amigos. – Sabrina

Likewise – been an awesome week, met some great people, learnt a lot and feel very well prepared! Super excited about getting to the start line! Safe journey home all, enjoy the remainder of training and stay injury free! Ian and coaches – awesome work, thank you for the guidance (sometimes the long way back J) the memories and photos! Bring it on. – Reynolds

I can’t quite believe I would say this. It didn’t start well for me but it has ended on such an amazing note. I am beginning to believe I can actually do this. Thank you everybody who has constantly given me the encouragement and reminding me I can do this. I really appreciate your kindness. I am mostly grateful to Ian and Elisabet for the words and time they have given me. And to everybody else, thank you too… – Sue

Enjoyed a fantastic week training out at the Lanzarote camp  , quite sad it had to end . Thanks everyone for making it fun , interesting and enjoyable. Special mega thanks to Ian for running it, all the coaches, especially thick skinned Tom for taking us out and having to put up with us! Good luck to everyone Running Costa Rica in a couple of weeks. Safe training to all the MdS guys, looking forward to seeing everyone on the start line. – Bobby

Notes re Covid-19:

If the group or an individual decided they didn’t want to travel and the resort was open, normal terms and conditions would apply so it would be loss of the complete camp fee with no option to roll over to another year.

Terms and conditions

• A non-refundable deposit confirms the allocation of a place, £200 pp for shared apartment and £400 for solo-occupancy. Deposits are not transferable and they cannot be carried over to a following year.
• Final invoices will be issued on the final day of September. Once issued, it is not possible to cancel a place without payment of the balance. We recommend that you have appropriate insurance to cover you for illness, injury or other uncontrollable circumstances.
• Final balances MUST be received and cleared before October 31st. Failure to pay on time may incur an admin charge of £100.
• Apartments are allocated on a share basis, unless solo-occupancy is booked, and we allocate at our discretion. However, in all circumstances we will do our best to make sure friends stay together. This is not a consideration for those who book as a couple.
• The training camp is a full-on week of exercise and commitment. We operate ability based groups and you will find a group that works for you and your fitness. However, please come to the camp with enough fitness to participate.
• Endurance sports are risky and you undertake that personal risk when signing up to the training camp. We strongly recommend that you have appropriate sport insurance, DOGTAG for example. We also recommend that you undertake a medical check to confirm that you have no issues in undertaking endurance activity.