The Marathon des Sables (MdS) is a legendary, self-supported ultramarathon staged in the southern Moroccan Sahara. It covers about 250 kilometers across six stages over roughly six to seven days, with participants carrying their own gear and water for the entire race. It’s renowned for extreme dunes, heat, sandstorms, and the mental and physical challenge of running or walking long distances in harsh desert conditions.
Key points about MdS
- Format and scale: 6 stages totaling around 250 km, self-sufficient (participants carry required gear and supplies). The course and stage distances can vary slightly from year to year, but the 250 km, 6-stage structure is emblematic of the event.
- History and reach: Founded in 1986 by Patrick Bauer, MdS has become the flagship desert ultramarathon with editions around the world and a strong global following. It remains the benchmark for self-sufficient desert endurance events.
- Popularity and qualification: MdS attracts thousands of entrants over its history, with many runners using MdS as a pinnacle endurance goal or a training milestone for other ultra challenges. Demand can be high, and spots are competitive.
- Variants and related events: The brand now encompasses multiple concepts and locations beyond the original Moroccan Sahara, offering a range of desert adventures while preserving the core self-sufficiency and endurance ethos.
Practical considerations if you’re considering MdS
- Preparation: Intensive long-distance training, heat acclimation, and logistics planning for self-sufficiency (gear, nutrition, water management) are essential. Reading first-hand accounts and official briefings can provide insight into pacing, rest, and desert navigation.
- Timing: MdS typically runs in spring, with editions sometimes spanning over 7 days in total. Check the official site or recent event pages for exact dates and staging each year.
- Costs and entry: Participation involves entry fees, travel to Morocco, gear, and support logistics. Competition for limited spots means being prepared and acting quickly when registration opens.
If you’d like, I can pull up the latest official details on upcoming editions, entry dates, and the specific stage layouts for the next MdS, or compare MdS to similar desert ultras.
