Is it possible to walk on certain portions of the race if I am too tired? – HMDS

1. An ultra-adaptable format: run or walk at your own pace

The Marathon des Sables (and its variants like the MDS Legendary, the classic 3-day/70-120 km MDS, or the MDS Trek) offers a self-sufficient adventure over several days in the desert, with stages ranging from 40 km to 90 km.
Officially, the race allows participants to run or walk according to their level and condition.

2. Variable minimum speeds depending on the stage

On the historical format (Legendary):

For the classic stages (~40 km), the minimum allowed speed is 3.5 km/h,
For the longest stage (80-90 km), the minimum speed drops to 3 km/h

This means that you can definitely walk, as long as you maintain a sufficient pace to meet the time limits, thus validating your stage.

3. Walking to conserve energy

It is quite common and strategic to walk uphill, on deeper sand, or during moments of intense fatigue. Active walking, sometimes accompanied by trekking poles, can thus be used to:

reduce heart rate,
save muscle energy,
move forward while conserving strength.

Experienced runners sometimes use poles to facilitate walking and better handle uphill sections, which is strongly recommended by the official advice on the site

4. The importance of time limits

Each stage has a strictly set time limit: if you exceed this limit, you are out of the race.
The indicated minimum speeds (3 km/h or 3.5 km/h) allow you, even while walking, to validate the stages provided that:

you calculate your average pace,
you plan short and effective breaks (refueling, first aid, hydration).

5. In formal summary

Point	Detail
✅ Walking allowed	Run or walk at your choice
🔢 Minimum speed	3.5 km/h (standard stages) – 3 km/h (long stage)
🕒 Time limits	Imperative to respect to remain ranked
🛠 Strategy	Walking helps manage fatigue and conserve energy
⚙️ Recommended poles	Help uphill and stabilize progress

Conclusion

It is perfectly possible and accepted to walk during the Marathon des Sables, whether due to fatigue or strategic choice. The key is to maintain the required pace to meet the time limits. This approach is common among participants, and tools like poles are designed to facilitate this type of progression. By respecting the minimum speed of 3 to 3.5 km/h depending on the stage, you can validate each stage even while walking.

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