MDS ATLANTIC COAST 2026 REGULATIONS AND TERMS OF SALES

ART. 1: ORGANISATION

The 2026 edition of the MARATHON DES SABLES Atlantic Coast, which will take place from January 24 to January 31, 2026 in Morocco, is organized by WHAT AN ADVENTURE (WAA), a limited liability company, with a capital of 50,000 euros, registered in the Paris Trade and Companies Register under the number 504 009 515, with its registered office in Paris (75008), 66 avenue des Champs-Élysées (hereafter the "Organizer").

ART. 2: ACCEPTANCE OF THE RULES AND ETHICS AND SCOPE OF THE TERMS OF SALES.

By registering for the MDS, participants expressly and unreservedly accept the present regulations of the event, it’s agenda (e.g. road book etc.) and any instructions from the Organiser that may be sent to them. Participants must also comply with the legislation in force in the country hosting the MDS and respect the ethical charter of the International Trail Running Association (ITRA)

WHAT AN ADVENTURE terms of sales conditions are applied to any registration to the event made on the website https://registration.halfmarathondessables.com/.

ART. 3: DEFINITION OF COMPETITION

The MDS is a foot race, open to walkers, of 3 stages, in food self-sufficient and free pace according to several distance formats, up to 125 kilometres, with the obligation for each participant to carry his or her own equipment (food and compulsory material).

ART. 4: PARTICIPANTS’ ADMISSION CONDITIONS

Anyone meeting the following conditions will be accepted: over 18, any citizenship. Competitors must hold a medical certificate issued by the organization stating their ability to participate.

Minors are not authorized to participate in the MDS Atlantic Coast.
Due to the specific nature of the course of the race (food self-sufficiency, race regulations) no accompanying person will be accepted on the event.

ART. 5: PARTICIPANTS’ CATEGORIES

Category A: INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPANT
Each male or female participant is included in the general classification without distinction of age or degree of professionalism. However, independently of the general classification, the following classifications is established:

• Women
• Men

Category B: TEAM PARTICIPANTS
A team is composed of a minimum of three (3) persons. To remain in the race, a team must always be made up of a minimum of 3 people. A team classification will be established for this purpose. However, each participant of a team enters individually in the general classification.

The team must be formed at least 1 month (31 days) before the start of the event. Each participant must indicate the name of his or her team on his or her MDS account so that it can be taken into account by the organization.

ART. 6: PROGRAM OF THE EVENT

Subject to the provisions of Article 30, the program of the event shall be as follows:

• Saturday January 24, 2026
  • Arrival in Morocco
  • Transfer from Agadir airport to the hotel located around Agadir
  • Dinner and night at the hotel
• Sunday January 25, 2026 :
  • technical, and medical checks
  • Free day at the hotel
  • Dinner and night at the hotel
• Monday January 26, 2026 :
  • Bus transfer from the hotel to the desert
  • Stage 1, beginning of food self-sufficiency
  • Night at the bivouac
• Tuesday January 27, 2026 :
  • Stage 2, in food self-sufficiency
  • Night at the bivouac
• Wednesday January 28, 2026 :
  • Rest Day
  • Night at the bivouac
• Thursday January 29, 2026 :
  • Last stage, in food self-sufficiency
  • Dinner and night at the hotel
• Friday January 30, 2026 :
  • Day off at the hotel
  • Awards ceremony and gala dinner
  • Night at the hotel
• Saturday January 31, 2026 :
  • Return transfer to the airport of Agadir
  • End of the MDS adventure

ART. 7: TECHNICAL, ADMINISTRATIVE AND MEDICAL VERIFICATIONS

The checks will take place on Sunday before the race at the hotel.
Each participant must present himself to the race commissaires and medical team in charge of carrying out these checks. He must have fulfilled his technical, administrative, and medical obligations (see ART. 23, 25, 27 and 28) before taking the start.

The race commissaires may check backpacks and their contents at any time. Each item of compulsory equipment for participants (see ART. 23) is strictly personal. Each participant is responsible for their own equipment. Any item found and not claimed within 24 hours will be destroyed except for phones, cameras, and batteries.

During the race, each participant must keep his or her equipment: it is forbidden to leave any object in the tent, or to leave it to the organisation. (See ART. 27 and 28).

During the administrative and technical checks prior to the start, the organisation will provide each participant with a race kit containing:

• 2 numbered bibs measuring approximately 18 cm x 16 cm:
  • a bib on the upper chest
  • a bib on the back (on the backpack)
• 1 GPS beacon

ART. 8: IDENTIFICATION MARKS RESERVED BY THE ORGANISATION

Throughout the event, the identification marks provided by the organisation must be affixed to each participant at the location indicated, subject to penalties. The race commissaires may carry out checks at any time. It is strictly forbidden to cover the organisation's bibs with other inscriptions. Each participant is responsible for his identification marks and must ensure that they are clean, fully visible, in good condition and in the right place, subject to penalties (see ART. 27 and 28). 

ART. 9: PLACES RESERVED FOR INDIVIDUAL SPONSORSHIP

Apart from the identification marks reserved by the organisation on each participant, the remaining spaces available may be used by the participant for individual sponsorship, e.g., T-shirt (apart from the chest area reserved exclusively for the bib), shorts, socks, caps, backpacks… However, the organisation reserves the right to prohibit individual sponsorship that is considered excessive or in direct competition with the organisation's advertising partners, or for reasons that the organisation does not have to justify.

The upper part of the chest area is reserved exclusively by the organisation for placing the bib. The race commissaires will be intransigent about the positioning of your bibs.

It is up to each participant to define the right locations for their advertising on T-shirts and backpacks.

ART. 10: STAGES AND DISTANCES

The exact number of kilometres of the MDS, which depends on the final route of the race, the maximum times allowed as well as the closing times of each checkpoint will be revealed and indicated on the roadbook distributed during the technical scrutineering which will be held the day before Stage 1 (see ART. 7 and 22).

Three distance options are proposed:

• 70km
• 100km
• 120km

These distances are given as an indication and are likely to be reviewed downwards according to the type of terrain and the difference in altitude of the routes.

There are two special features to consider:

• Stage 2: Long stage: The headlamp must be switched on at nightfall.
• Stage 3: The "FINISHER" medal will be attributed at the end of the final stage.

ART. 11: START OF THE STAGE

The start of the stages will be grouped together. Each participant must attend the Race Director's briefing before the start of each stage. Participants must start at the time set by the organisation, otherwise they will be penalised (see ART. 27).

ART. 12: CHECKPOINTS

The water distribution points on the itinerary of each stage constitute, together with the arrival of each stage, compulsory control points. They are distributed along the axis of each stage. They vary from two to five depending on the distance of the stage and are compulsory places for each participant to pass otherwise they will be penalised (see ART. 24 and 25). They allow the race controllers to record the time of passage of each participant and to ensure the supply of water (see ART. 15). The closing times of each checkpoint will be indicated in the road book.

ART. 13: STAGE ARRIVAL / BIVOUAC

At the arrival of each stage, which is a compulsory checkpoint where water is distributed, a timekeeper will record the daily time of each participant.
At the arrival of Stages 1 and 2, participants will be provided with an individual tented camp on a site previously chosen by the organisation (Bivouac) where they can spend their free time preparing their accommodation for the night and medical care if necessary.

ART. 14: TIMING – RANKING

The times of each participant will be recorded in hours, minutes, and seconds.

To allow normal operation, the GPS beacon given by the organisation to each participant must not be damaged. A participant who does not follow the course marked out by the Organiser, by human and/or material means, will not be classified at the arrival. The electronic detection system is selected according to strict criteria of reliability. However, there may be rare cases of non-detection. The lack of data resulting from this non-detection may not allow the Organiser to include the time of the participant concerned in the classification. The Organiser cannot be held responsible for this.

The participants can be classified as follows:

• CATEGORY A: INDIVIDUAL

The stage classification is based on the total of the time achieved and any penalties received. Male and female classification.

• CATEGORY B: TEAM

The team's time will be the total of the times achieved by its 3 best members, including penalties.

• CATEGORY A and B: GENERAL

The general classification is made by adding the times obtained in each stage.

ART. 15: WATER SUPPLY

The organisation is in charge of the supply of water for each participant.

At each checkpoint, participants can refill their water bottles or pouches at the water tanks provided. At the finish of each stage, every participant will receive 5 litres of water for the night and the first 10 kilometres of the next day's stage. The next water supply will be provided at the first checkpoint of the next day's stage.

Each participant will have to manage his daily water needs according to the distribution of the water supply as indicated in the road book and at no time he will be able to supply himself with water by his own means.

ART. 16: MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

Each participant must provide assistance to any person in danger and inform the organisation.

A medical team specialising in emergency and sports medicine will be present throughout the event. It will operate on the course, particularly at all checkpoints, and will ensure that any participant who is physically or morally unwell is brought back to the bivouac.

Vehicles with doctors and/or nurses cover the entire race route to ensure reactive and efficient assistance. Additional vehicles are also in charge of ensuring the safety of the riders and the event as a whole.

In all three stages, no care will be given to "minor injuries". Obviously, the so-called "urgent" treatments will be taken into consideration with the utmost attention. The medical teams will be the only ones to decide whether or not to let a rider continue the race.

Treatment on the bivouac requiring an intervention will be covered. For "minor injuries", particularly those relating to foot care, self-care education sessions will be set up with medical supervision. This will allow each participant to be more involved in the adventure of the MDS and to be informed about the right actions to take.

The medical services will be empowered to remove bibs and to suspend from the race any participant who is unfit to continue the event and/or who has received vital medical treatment (see ART. 27 and 28).

ART. 17: WITHDRAWAL / OUT OF THE RACE

Under no circumstances may a participant leave the race without notifying the organisation and signing an official waiver provided by the organisation, under penalty of having to pay the search costs incurred to find him/her.

In the case of a participant abandoning the race, it is imperative that he inform the organisation as soon as possible and hand over his identification marks to one of the competent members of the organisation.

A participant who is in a satisfactory physical condition will be taken back to his/her hotel within a maximum of 24 hours, after having signed an official discharge provided by the organisation. 

In case of early return to the hotel, the additional night will be at the charge of the participant.

While waiting for the transfer, the participant will automatically be taken in charge and must hand over his food to the organisation.

The withdrawal or disqualification of a member of a team of more than 3 people leads to a one-hour penalty for the team (see ART. 27 and 28).

In case of serious medical condition, the repatriation of the participant is immediately organised.

ART. 18: LAND-BASED ASSISTANCE

The MDS is a self-sufficient food event, so that any outside assistance is strictly forbidden. Refuelling during the event will result in a minimum penalty of 3 hours, or even exclusion. If a participant leaves the route defined by the Organiser, to the point of causing a long search, he will be disqualified and will have to pay a fixed fine (see ART. 26 and 27).

ART. 19: INSURANCE

In accordance with the legislation in force, the Organiser has taken out insurance covering the financial consequences of its civil liability, that of its employees and that of all participants in the event.

An insurance policy covering the risks of repatriation for medical reasons is also taken out by the Organiser for all participants. This guarantee will come into play in addition to, or in the absence of, other insurance policies from which the participants may benefit elsewhere.

The guarantees subscribed to are as follows:

•    Medical repatriation and repatriation of the body in case of death: actual costs for all participants to the European Union and Switzerland. For participants not residing in the above-mentioned countries, the return costs from the place of repatriation to their country of residence will remain entirely at their expense. They are therefore strongly advised to take out individual insurance.
•    Funeral expenses necessary for transport: 1,525 euros.
•    Payment of medical expenses: 15,000 euros.

The details of the guarantees subscribed by the Organiser can be requested by each participant at any time by writing to the following address: https://halfmds.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new 

Each participant participates in full knowledge of the risks this competition may entail. Participants participate under their own responsibility and the organisation declines all responsibility in case of physical failure or accident.

In accordance with the regulations in place, the Organiser advises each participant to take out individual accident and death insurance. This insurance is optional but strongly recommended.

Finally, the Organiser declines all responsibility in case of damage (theft, breakage, loss, ...) suffered by the participants' personal belongings. Each participant, as owner, expressly accepts to keep the custody of his personal goods during the event. Participants will therefore not be able to claim against the Organiser for any damage caused to their equipment. It is the responsibility of each participant to take out insurance to cover these risks.

ART. 20: CLIMATIC CONDITIONS AND NATURE OF THE TERRAIN

For information purposes only, the theoretical average temperatures for January are as follows:

• daytime average: 22°C
• night average: 12°C

The course has a varied landscape. In case of a sandy wind that does not allow any visibility, each participant must stop on the axis of the course and wait for the race marshals' instructions.

ART. 21: MARKINGS

Participants in the MDS will have to follow the markings of the stages provided by the organisation, otherwise they will be penalised. Any participant who wilfully deviates from the marked course will no longer be under the responsibility of the Organiser.

On each stage, the route will be marked out every 100 metres approximately, with retro-reflective markings at night to catch the light of the compulsory headlamp at nightfall.

ART. 22: ROADBOOK

A route map is established during the various recognition missions. The exact route will remain secret and will only be revealed when the roadbook and the route map are handed over during the technical verifications.

This roadbook will include practical information under various headings, including details of the stages, supervision etc.

Each participant must always be in possession of his roadbook during the race. The absence of the roadbook during the event will lead to a penalty (see ART. 27). Instructions will be given during the briefing each morning before the beginning of the day's stage on the most delicate points.

ART. 23: OBLIGATORY EQUIPMENT FOR PARTICIPANTS

Each participant must provide his own personal equipment for the event (food, material, race kit, etc.). Each participant must fulfil the obligations mentioned below during the administrative and technical controls (see ART. 27 and 28).

Food:

Each participant must plan their food needs for the food self-sufficiency period, as follows:

• 1st stage (Day 3) : Lunch, dinner
• 2nd stage, day off (Day 4 and 5): breakfast, lunch, dinner
• 3rd stage (Day 6): breakfast, lunch

He will have to select the food that he considers most suitable for the effort involved, the climatic conditions, the transport, and the weight. It is strongly recommended to have a minimum of 2,000 kilocalories per race day. Gas stoves are strictly forbidden. Participants will not be allowed to buy food and water on their own during the race, subject to penalty (see ART. 27 and 28).

• Required equipment:
  • a WAA ULTRABAG 20L backpack or equivalent,
  • a minimum of 1.5 litres of water (water bottle, water bag, etc.),
  • a sleeping bag,
  • a headlamp + 1 complete set of spare batteries or battery pack,
  • 10 safety pins,
  • a lighter,
  • a whistle,
  • a metal blade knife,
  • a skin antiseptic,
  • a signal mirror,
  • a survival blanket,
  • 8 bouillon cubes (2 per day). The use of these cubes is an effective replacement for salt tablets, which are no longer offered to runners,
  • a tube of sun cream,
  • 100 euros in cash,
  • Passport
  • The official medical certificate provided by the organisation, duly completed, and signed by a doctor less than 90 days before the start of the race.

Race kit: each participant undertakes to keep with him throughout the event the race kit that will be given to him at the technical controls (see Art. 7).

ART. 24: HEALTH PROTOCOL (COVID-19)

To ensure the health safety of the participants, the Organizer may issue a health protocol including the need to present a document attesting to (i) the non-infection by the COVID-19 virus or (ii) the participant's current vaccination against the COVID-19 virus in order to participate in the event. To participate in the event, the participant must strictly comply with the health protocol and acknowledges that the Organizer has the right to refuse participation/access to or exclude from the event any participant for non-compliance with the measures set forth without any liability on the part of the Organizer.

The Organizer will inform the participants of the content of the health protocol by a communication sent to the e-mail address given at the time of registration. 

Regarding the document attesting to the non-infection by the COVID-19 virus, the Organizer will determine its nature, taking into account in particular, the prescriptions of the competent authorities and the state of scientific and technical knowledge, particularly in terms of detection, the day the race is held. This may be a statement of non-infection, a PCR or antigenic test result or any other type of test carried out within the appropriate deadlines before the event takes place.

Documents containing health data will only be viewed and/or consulted by the competent personnel of the Organizer at the latest before the first day of the event. None of this data will be kept by the Organizer.

ART. 25: REGISTRATIONS, ENTRY FEES, ADMINISTRATIVE AND MEDICAL OBLIGATIONS

25.1 Registration / entry fees

Registrations can only be made online via the MDS website: registration.halfmarathondessables.com

The total amount of the entry fee includes:

• 3 nights in bivouac, in an individual tent
• 4 nights in a hotel
• Transfer between Agadir airport, the hotel and the desert
• Water for the entire duration of the event,
• Repatriation assistance (see Art. 19),
• Technical and medical support from the organisation during the race,
• Race kit (see Art. 7),
• Medal and gift for the "Finishers",
• Gala dinner.

Amount of the MDS Atlantic Coast 2026 offer: 2 250€/person

The Organiser reserves the right to organise, in addition to the prices indicated above, preferential rates or exceptional promotions to enable you to benefit from preferential rates during a given period.

The prices indicated in these rules are expressed in Euros, including all taxes, at the rate in force on the day of your registration.

As the total number of participants is limited, the Organisation will consider applications in order of registration and according to the places available.

Payment of registration fees can be made as follow:

Payment in 1 time by credit card

The payment of the total amount of the chosen offer is made at the time of registration by credit card.

Payment in 3 or 5 time by credit card

When registering, select the 3x free credit card payment method, the amount is then automatically calculated and automatically debited each month on a fixed date for 3 months - the last debit to be made no later than 15 days before the start of the event.

Payment in 5x without charge by credit card is only available for registrations made before a certain date. Direct debits are made automatically every month on a fixed date.

Payment by bank transfer:

When registering, select the direct debit payment method and the number of instalments required (depending on the options available), the instructions are then sent by the payment platform Click & Pay.

• Schedule (dates and amounts)
• Details of the bank account to which to make the transfers.

For any question, please contact: https://halfmds.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new

Payments made online are made via a secure payment platform, supplemented by specific control measures, in order to guarantee the security of the purchases made and to fight against fraud. The credit card details provided at the time of registration are never transmitted unencrypted over the Internet: they are encrypted using an SSL security protocol.

Warning:

• The registration is only validated once the full payment has been received. Any delay in payment will be subject to a surcharge of 90 euros.
• All registrations for the event are personal, firm, and final, and cannot be reimbursed for any reason unless specifically stipulated in these regulations and terms of sales. In the case where registration gives the right to a bib number, no transfer of a bib number is authorised for any reason unless expressly agreed by the Organiser. Any person who transfers his or her number to a third party will be held responsible in the case of an accident occurring or caused by the latter during the event. The Organiser declines all responsibility in the event of an accident in such a situation.
• The organisation reserves the right to refuse the registration of a participant without having to give reasons.
• If the number of places for the edition is reached, the organisation will set up a waiting list.

25.2 Administrative and medical obligation

When registering on the HMDS website, a certain amount of information must be provided (see ART. 32) and in particular all the participant's identity details, contact details etc.

\All participation in the event will be subject to the presentation of an official medical certificate, a model of which will be provided by the Organiser. This model of medical certificate will be available for download from the runner's profile. It must be filled in and signed by a doctor within 90 days before the start of the event and must be presented at the technical, administrative, and medical checks on the day before the race. Only the original medical certificate, dated and signed, will be accepted (photocopy not valid). Failure to present this document will result in penalties (see ART. 27 and 28).

In the case of long-term treatment for a chronic disease, send a letter to the attention of the Medical Director, by e-mail to https://halfmds.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new

Each participant is free to declare the following information to the ITRA medical commission:

• any medical history and/or pathology, particularly those that may increase the risks during the sport;
• the use of regular treatments or medication during the 15 days preceding the start of the race;
• any application for or use of a medicine subject to a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).

The declaration of this information to the medical commission must be made through the ITRA health space that each rider can create free of charge on the ITRA website: www.itra.run (the opening of an account is free of charge but necessary to access the health space).

The medical information declared is only accessible by the Medical Commission and the organisation's own medical team.

QUARTZ Event PROGRAM:

The Organiser of the MDS has decided to set up the QUARTZ Event Program to protect the health of the participants and to contribute to a truly clean, doping-free sport.

The QUARTZ Event Program is neither intended nor competent to replace the national and international regulations in force with regard to the fight against doping, but is intended to reinforce medical surveillance before, during and after the competition.

The QUARTZ Event Program is run in collaboration with the International Trail Running Association (ITRA), the Athletes For Transparency Association (AFT) and the Ultra-Sports Science Foundation (USS).

The QUARTZ Event Program is managed by a Commission of Experts which is responsible in particular for giving advice to the race management on the medical condition of participants.

This Commission of Experts can go so far as to propose to the race management that a participant be withdrawn from the competition for health reasons before the competition ("no start") or that he/she be disqualified after the competition for failure to comply with the procedures.

The QUARTZ Event Program is addressed to each participant who therefore undertakes to:

1. Declare the following medical information to the Medical Commission:

• Any medical history and/or pathology, especially those that may increase the risks during the competition.
• The use of regular treatments or medication or food supplements for at least 30 days prior to the start of the competition.
• Any application or use of a substance or method subject to a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).
• The declaration of this medical information to the Commission of Experts is made solely through the health area of the QUARTZ Program to which each participant has access from the website https://www.quartzprogram.org. The medical information declared is accessible only to the Commission of Experts, to the members of the QUARTZ Program team and to the medical team during any treatment during the race.

2. To accept all urine and/or blood and/or capillary and/or saliva samples and associated analyses within 30 days before the start of the competition and up to 15 days after the competition, it being understood that the costs inherent in the taking of these samples and associated analyses are to be borne directly by the Organisation.

3. Respect the list of prohibitions published by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) but also not participate in the competition in case of use of:
Within 60 days before the start of the competition and during the competition:

Intravenous iron transfusion

In the 7 days before the start of the competition and during the competition:

• Intravenous injection (IV)
• Substance subject to a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) according to the WADA Prohibited List
• All glucocorticoids regardless of the method of administration
• Synthetic thyroid hormones except in cases of partial or total removal of the thyroid gland or medically induced hypothyroidism.

Within 24 hours before the start of the competition and during the competition:

• All beta-2-agonists regardless of mode of administration
• All analgesics including Tramadol and Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) regardless of the mode of administration
• All substances included in the WADA Monitoring Program

The possible use of these various substances may be identified in particular in the context of analyses carried out before and/or after the competition or by any other means of investigation.

4. Accept to reply to any convocation of the Expert Commission on the spot or at a distance (telephone or videoconference) in order to discuss his aptitude or not to participate in the competition or his possible downgrading after the competition.

5. Transmit in a legible way any doping control form completed within 30 days before the start of the competition and up to 15 days after the competition.

6. Accept the use of their data for research purposes only and in a strictly anonymous manner. Each participant has the right to access, rectify and oppose the data concerning him/her. The Commission of Experts is the authority to which the participant can exercise this right.

Any unreasonable failure, refusal, or transmission of incorrect information in relation to the QUARTZ Event Program may result in the participant being disqualified from the competition before the competition or being disqualified after the competition.

ART. 26: CANCELLATIONS OF ENTRIES - DEFERRAL OF REGISTRATIONS

26.1: General condition

Requests for cancellation, postponement and refunds must be made by e-mail with acknowledgement of receipt only at https://halfmds.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new

In the case of a request for a refund, only the date of receipt of the request will be taken into account for the calculation of the cancellation fee and consequently for the amount that can be refunded.

In the case of deposits already paid or registrations paid in full, the refund rates are as follows:

• Until August 31st, 2025, participants can obtain a full refund of the entry fee.
• 25% of the total entry fee will be retained by the Organizer in the event of withdrawal between September 1st, 2025 and October 5th, 2025.
• 50% of the total entry fee will be retained by the Organizer in the event of withdrawal between October 6th, 2025 and November 9th, 2025. 

After November 9th, 2025, midnight, no requests for refund will be accepted.
 

In the case of cancellation, the organization undertakes to reimburse the amounts received according to the above scale within one months of receiving the request.

Important: the organization does not cover the refund of airline tickets in the event of cancellation, so we strongly recommend that all participants take out their own cancellation insurance.

26.2: Condition for the postponement of registration

It is possible to carry over your registration from the MDS Atlantic Coast 2026 to the MDS Atlantic Coast 2027 edition, according to the following schedule and conditions:

• Up to November 9th, 2025, , deferral to the next edition possible without charge
• From November 9th, 2025 to December 14th, 2025, included: €250 fee for a deferral
• From December 15th, 2025  : no deferral possible

Requests for postponements must be made by e-mail with acknowledgement of receipt to https://halfmds.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new

If the registration is postponed or transferred to a more expensive offer, the participant must pay the difference in price. In the opposite case, the organization will not refund the difference.

26.3: Special condition

In case of cancellation by the participant of a postponed registration, the cancellation refund schedule will be as follows:

FEE SCHEDULE FOR CANCELLATION OF POSTPONED REGISTRATION
		INITIAL POSTPONEMENT PERIOD FOR MDS ATLANTIC COAST REGISTRATION 2026
		Before 31/08/2025	Between 01/09/2025 and 05/10/2025	Between 06/10/2025 and 09/11/2025	After 09/11/2025
CANCELLATION OF REGISTRATION MDS ATLANTIC COAST 2026 POSTPONED TO 2027 EDITION	Before 30/08/2026	FREE CANCELLATION	25% fee retained	50% fee retained	100% fee retained
	Between 31/08/2026 and 04/10/2026	25% fee retained	25% fee retained	50% fee retained	100% fee retained
	Between 05/10/2026 and 08/11/2026	50% fee retained	50% fee retained	50% fee retained	100% fee retained
	After 08/11/2026	100% fee retained	100% fee retained	100% fee retained	100% fee retained

Requests for postponements must be made by e-mail at https://halfmds.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new. The date of reception of the e-mail will be used for the calculation of the cancellation fee for a postponed registration and consequently for the amount that can be refunded by the Organizer.

Finally, it is not possible to postpone an already postponed registration. Only one postponement per participant of his or her initial registration is allowed.

ART. 27: FAULTS AND PENALTIES

Administrative file:

In the case of incomplete information in the online administrative registration file 1 month before the event, the participant will be penalised by 30 minutes (see ART. 28).

Technical and administrative checks:

During the technical checks prior to the race, if the participant is not able to present all his compulsory equipment, he will be penalised or disqualified (see ART.28).

Medical file:

At the medical controls, the participant must present the medical certificate established according to the model communicated by the Organiser. This document must be signed and dated less than 90 days before the start of the race. In case of failure to comply with this obligation, the participant will not be allowed to take the start. However, the participant may be allowed to participate, after examination and subject to the agreement of the organisation's doctors. A penalty will be applied (see ART. 28).

List of personal equipment:

Each participant who abandons one or more items of personal equipment must report this to a bivouac steward. Any participant who is unable to justify the absence of one or more items of equipment during a check will be penalised (see ART. 28).

Food:

During a control, the participant who cannot present his meals for the race days, will be penalised by a 2-hour penalty (see ART. 28).

Identification marks:

In case of loss or damage of an identification mark provided by the organisation, it is imperative to inform a race steward as soon as possible, otherwise a penalty will be applied. The absence of an identification mark or failure to respect the location of the chest and back numbers may result in the participant being disqualified (see ART. 8, 9 and 28). The falsification of an identification mark will result in the immediate disqualification of the participant (see ART. 28).

Stage departure:

A penalty equivalent to the delay will be imposed on any participant who does not present himself under the banner at the time of the start. If the participant is more than 30 minutes late, he will be disqualified and must return his identification marks to the race steward (see ART. 28).

Checkpoints / Scoring:

The checkpoints (before each stage start, at the start, at the checkpoints and at the finish) are compulsory checkpoints at which each participant will be clocked in. Any delay of less than 30 minutes at the start checkpoint will result in a 30-minute penalty. After 30 minutes, the participant will no longer be clocked in and will be penalised for not clocking in. Failure to check in at the checkpoint will be penalised by 1 hour the first time, by 2 hours the second time and by disqualification the third time (see ART. 28).

Maximum authorised time:

Exceeding the maximum authorised time for each stage will result in the participant being disqualified from the race and returning his number to the race marshal. Any participant who does not arrive at the checkpoint on time will be disqualified (see ART. 28).

Lamps / bibs:

Penalties assigned during the stages (see ART. 28):

• 30 minutes - headlamp not switched on after nightfall,
• 30 minutes - race bibs not visible,

Retirement / Out of the race:

In the case of a participant dropping out, it is imperative that he/she informs the organisation as soon as possible. The withdrawal of a member of a team of more than three people will result in a penalty of one hour for this team, up to a minimum of three people remaining in the race (see ART. 28).

Doping:

In the case of doping by a participant found by the medical services, the latter shall inform the race commissaires who shall disqualify the participant (see ART. 28).

Behaviour:

Any inappropriate or insulting behaviour may result in severe penalties or even disqualification.

Ground and medical assistance:

It should be noted that all external assistance is strictly forbidden.

Fraudulent external food or water assistance to a participant will result in a penalty ranging from three hours to disqualification. The use of a means of transport (2, 4 wheels or other) will be sanctioned by the disqualification of the participant.

In the case of abandonment not reported to the organisation, the searches caused will result in a fine of 200 euros for the participant (see ART. 28).

Exceptional water assistance with the agreement of the race commissaires or on medical advice (lack, loss of water or leak) will result in a 30-minute penalty the first time, a one-hour penalty the second time and disqualification the third time.

Vital medical assistance (perfusion, plaster cast, etc.) will result in disqualification, at the discretion of the chief doctor.

Environment:

It is absolutely forbidden to throw away food packaging or other rubbish outside the areas provided for this purpose. From the moment you pick up your bib until you cross the finish line (on the course, in the bivouac, in the tents, etc.), any waste left behind will result in a penalty (see ART. 28).

Complaints:

Any complaint from a participant must be made in writing (in French, English, or Spanish) and addressed to the attention of the race management:

• During the event, it will be submitted to the Bivouac Steward. A reply will be given within 24 hours.
• After the race, at the final arrival of the race, at the participant information point (see roadbook). ·
• After the race and until February 15th, 2026 by email:https://halfmds.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new 

ART. 28: SUMMARY TABLE OF PENALTIES

Reason for penalisation	Out of the race	Penalty
No official medical certificate	X (if medical refusal)	15 minutes
Failure to present a backpack	X
1.5 litre water supply	X
No presentation of a sleeping bag		From 2 minutes to 2 hours
No presentation 10 safety pins, metal blade knife, lighter, skin antiseptic, signal mirror, headlamp + batteries, whistle, 100 euros, sun cream.		From 2 minutes to 1 hour
Equipment or waste left in the tent after the start of the stage		From 2 to 30 minutes
Absence of bib	2nd / X	1st / warning
Non-respect of the bib and its location	3rd / X	1st / warning 2nd / 30 minutes
Falsification of identification mark	X
Less than 30 minutes delay at the start of a stage		Equal to the delay
Delay of more than 30 minutes at the start of a stage	X
Exceeding maximum allowed time	X
Out of time CP	X
Failure to check in at checkpoints	2nd / X	1st / 2 hours
Failure to follow the course		3 hours minimum
Headlamp off after nightfall		30 minutes
Bib not visible		30 minutes
Dropout	X
One member of a team of more than 3 people gives up		1 hour
One member of a team of 3 or fewer gives up		non-ranked team
Doping / use of transport	X
External ground assistance	X - maximum	3 hour – minimum
Exceptional water assistance	3rd / X	1st / 30 minutes 2nd / 1 hours
Life-saving medical assistance	Subject at the judgement of the medical officer / X
Excessive search in case of unsigned dropout		200 euro
Non-respect of the environment	X - maximum	2 minutes - minimum
Misconduct	X - maximum	2 minutes - minimum

ART. 29: LIST OF AWARDS

TEAM CLASSIFICATION 70, 100 & 120 KM

1st team; 2nd team; 3rd team

INDIVIDUAL CLASSIFICATIONS 70, 100 & 120 KM

Women's ranking

1st woman; 2nd woman; 3rd woman

Men's ranking

1st man; 2nd man; 3rd man

ART. 30: MODIFICATION - POSTPONEMENT – CANCELLATION

If circumstances so require, the Organiser reserves the right to modify at any time the route, the position of the checkpoints, the bivouacs of the start and finish lines of each stage, to postpone the date and/or the timetable of the event, to stop the event in progress, to cancel it or to put in place a fallback route or to modify the time barriers.
If the event is cancelled (i) for any reason beyond the control of the Organiser and which has the characteristics of force majeure as defined by article 1218 of the French Civil Code and by French case law, or (ii) due to health circumstances related to the Covid-19 epidemic or local and/or international legislation related to Covid-19, the Organiser may propose, depending on the circumstances, compensation such as substitution by another event organised by the Organiser, postponement of the event or reimbursement of the registration fee less, where applicable, any irrecoverable costs incurred by the Organiser at the time of the cancellation.

In any case, the Organizer may, until October 3rd, 2025 and without giving any reason:

• Cancel the event. In such a situation, the participants will be refunded only the amounts they have paid to the Organizer and not the amounts paid to third parties (e.g.: air transportation costs etc.);
• Change the dates of the event without the Organizer being held responsible and without being held responsible for any additional costs incurred by the participants with third parties (e.g.: air transportation costs etc.).

The Organizer therefore recommends that participants limit the costs incurred with third parties or take out cancellation insurance, if necessary, especially for air transportation costs.

ART. 31: USE OF IMAGES

31.1: Images of the participants

The MDS (the course, as well as its surroundings, the start and finish lines, the checkpoints, the bivouacs) may be filmed by the Organiser and/or any third-party official supplier of the Organiser.

Each participant expressly authorises the Organiser, its successors or assigns (in particular its commercial partners) to fix, reproduce on any support and by any means, without remuneration or compensation of any kind, his/her image, associated, if necessary, with his/her name, first name, voice, and more generally his or her sporting performance in the MDS event (hereinafter referred to as his or her "Image"), for a period of ten (10) years from the date of the event, for the purposes of communication to the public, in any form (in particular, without this list being restrictive, in the form of photographs, videos, drawings), on any existing or future support (in particular, without this list being restrictive, on posters, flyers, web banners), on any existing or future communication channel (in particular, without this list being restrictive, on the official website of the HMDS, the official pages of the HMDS on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn as well as on the Organiser's website), in any format, in the whole world, for any use including for informative, promotional and/or commercial purposes.

In this regard, the Participant expressly authorises the Organiser to grant the same rights on his Image to the partners of the event. To this end, each Participant expressly and irrevocably authorises the Organiser, its successors in title and assigns (in particular its commercial partners), in order to meet the requirements of advertising, promotional and/or commercial and/or information campaigns, to i) to make any modification, addition or deletion that they deem useful for the exploitation of his/her Image under the conditions defined above, ii) to associate and/or combine with his/her Image, all signatures, catchphrases, slogans, captions, trademarks, distinctive signs, legal notices, visuals and, in general, any element of any kind chosen by the Organiser, intended in particular to illustrate the communication media in which they are integrated.

The participant guarantees that he/she is not bound to any third party by any exclusive contract concerning the use of his/her Image. The participant is informed and accepts without reservation that his/her participation in the MDS implies the capture of his/her Image by the Organiser's official service providers.

With regard to the HMDS website, the participant accepts that he/she may be identified by any internet user providing his/her surname, first name and/or race number, associated with an additional filter (date of birth or postcode or any other specific data).

The participant wishing to object to such publication for a legitimate reason must communicate this decision to the Organiser at https://halfmds.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new, at the latest thirty (30) days before the event so that the appropriate measures can be taken.

31.2: Images of the event

Any photographic, video or film material produced during the event may only be used by participants, accompanying persons or management for private purposes, unless specifically authorised or accredited by the Organiser. Consequently, any book, short, medium, or long film project must have the prior consent of the Organiser. Requests to this effect should be sent by e-mail to: https://halfmds.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new.

ART. 32: PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION

The Organiser is committed to the protection of personal data and undertakes to ensure the security and confidentiality of personal data in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (hereinafter referred to as the "GDPR"), in particular by taking all necessary precautions to prevent such data from being deformed, damaged or accessed by unauthorised parties.

When registering for a MDS, the participant is informed and accepts that his/her personal data will be: (i) collected on the registration platform, owned by WAPI BULGARIA Ltd, a sister company of the Organiser and mandated by the latter; (ii) used by the Organiser, which acts as the data controller within the meaning of the GDPR, and by WAPI BULGARIA Ltd, its subcontractor.

32. 1: Identity of the data controller

The identity and contact details of the person responsible for processing personal data are as follows: 
WHAT AN ADVENTURE (WAA), a limited liability company with a capital of 50,000 euros, registered with the Paris Trade and Companies Register under number 504 009 515, whose registered office is in Paris (75008), 66 avenue des Champs-Élysées. Contact e-mail: https://halfmds.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new .

Your personal data are collected by our subcontractor:

WAPI BULGARIA Ltd, a single-member limited liability company under Bulgarian law with a capital of 2,000 Bulgarian lev, whose registered office is located at R-N TRIADITSA DISTR, AP. OFIS 7, FLOOR 6, 1000 SOFIA (BULGARIA), registered in the Commercial Register of Bulgaria under number 204211089. Contact e-mail: [e-mail].

32. 2: Data and information collected

The data collected is as follows:

Mandatory data for the registration to the MDS

Mandatory data identified on the website by an asterisk are collected during the registration process: 

• First name
• Last name
• Telephone number
• E-mail address
• Password
• Civil status (Male, Female)
• Passport number
• Date of birth
• Country
• City
• Postcode
• Address
• Shirt size
• Emergency contact (First name, Last name, Phone number, E-mail)

This list is likely to change in the light of the legal, technical, or organisational constraints of the Organiser.

Optional data for the registration to the MDS 

During the registration process, other data may be requested but are not essential for registration. 
In addition, the Organiser or WAPI BULGARIA Ltd may send one or more satisfaction surveys, polls, or questionnaires to participants after the event and collect additional data, in particular relating to the level of sporting activity, feelings about the race, hobbies, participation in other events etc.

Payment data:

During registration, the bank payment service provider collects and processes data concerning the means of payment (bank card number, expiry date of the bank card, visual cryptogram (not retained), etc.). These data related to the means of payment communicated are encrypted thanks to a security protocol, are never transmitted in clear text on the network and are not communicated to the Organiser.

Technical data:

The Organiser and WAPI BULGARIA Ltd may collect technical data such as connection data, IP address in accordance with the applicable legislation, and where appropriate with the participant's consent, for the use of certain technologies such as Cookies. No sensitive data is collected, i.e. information concerning racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, philosophical or religious beliefs, trade union membership, etc. (art. 9 of the GDPR).

32. 3: Purposes of the treatment

The Organiser and WAPI BULGARIA Ltd collect the above data for specific purposes, in accordance with the applicable legal provisions and with your consent, and in particular for the purposes of:

• To allow the creation, the management, and the access to your account;
• To enable the processing, management, follow-up, and validation of registrations for the MDS events organised by the Organiser;
• To facilitate collection and fight against fraud;
• To enable the management, modification, and improvement of the Organiser's events;
• Management of the information relationship with the participant by e-mail and/or SMS concerning the event for which he/she has registered (confirmation of the registration, confirmation of the validation or refusal of the registration, information on the event, information on the results, etc.). or to provide any useful information such as updates, newsletters concerning the Organiser's activities;
• Sharing of data with the Organiser's official and commercial partners (industrialists, media, institutions) for the purpose of communicating promotional offers, advertisements, and other commercial communications (subject to your prior agreement when required and to respect for your right to object, in accordance with the rules applicable to commercial prospecting);
• Carrying out satisfaction surveys for scientific and statistical purposes (by means of surveys or questionnaires).

32. 4: Data beneficiaries

The personal data collected during the online registration process may be communicated to:

• to the Organiser's internal services (administrative staff, employees, and agents);
• to the Organiser's service providers and contractual partners who intervene and contribute directly to the management of registrations and the organisation of the MDS (hotel, manufacturer of race numbers, company in charge of medical assistance, etc);
• to the Organiser's privileged partners (manufacturers, media, institutions), with your agreement, in order to offer products and/or services or for commercial prospecting and/or advertising purposes.

The Organiser asks its service providers and partners to put in place strict confidentiality and commercial prospecting measures.

By participating in the MDS event, participants acknowledge and accept that: 

• Their surname, first name(s) and country appear on the official start list published on the website www.halfmarathondessables.com
• Their geolocation on the race route is accessible to users of the www.halfmarathondessables.com website.
• At the end of the sporting event and at any time during the event or at the end of each stage, information relating to their sporting performance (in particular, results, photos and videos) shall be published on the website www.halfmarathondessables.com ; the said results being likely to be taken up by any media.

If you wish to oppose such publication for a legitimate reason, you must communicate this decision, in writing, to the Organiser at the following address: https://halfmds.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new, no later than thirty (30) days before the start of the event so that the appropriate measures can be taken.

Apart from the cases set out above, the Organiser undertakes not to sell, rent, transfer, or give access to third parties your data collected without your prior consent, unless it is obliged to do so for a legitimate reason (legal obligation, fight against fraud or abuse, exercise of the rights of defence, etc.).

Some of the addressees mentioned above may be established outside the European Union and may have access to all or part of the personal information collected by the Organiser and WAPI BULGARIA Ltd.

You expressly agree that your data may be transmitted to service providers or partners located outside the European Union. In this context, the Organiser undertakes to guarantee the protection of your data in accordance with the strictest rules, in particular through the signature, on a case-by-case basis, of contractual clauses based on the European Commission's model, or any other mechanism in compliance with the GDPR, as soon as your personal data is processed by a service provider outside the European Economic Area and whose country is not considered by the European Commission to provide an adequate level of protection.

32. 5: Duration of data conservation

The data is kept for as long as is necessary for the purposes set out above. These data will be deleted if the participant has not responded to any invitations during three (3) years.

However, this data may be kept for a longer period in order for the Organiser and WAPI BULGARIA Ltd to comply with their legal and regulatory obligations or to resolve disputes.

32. 6: Rights of the persons concerned by the personal data processed

In accordance with the French law "informatique et libertés" of 6 January 1978 as amended and the GDPR, the persons concerned by the personal data processed have a right of access, rectification, deletion of the data concerning them as well as a right to limit and oppose the processing and portability of their personal data. They also have the right to object to the processing of their personal data for commercial prospecting purposes by the Organiser, WAPI BULGARIA Ltd and/or its partners.

These rights can be exercised by e-mail to the following address: https://halfmds.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new

In such a case, you will have to specify your first and last name, the subject of your request and provide valid proof of identity. Pursuant to Article 12.6 of the GDPR, in the case of reasonable doubts as to the identity of the natural person submitting the request, the Organiser or its service provider may request that additional information necessary to confirm the identity of the person concerned be provided.

In accordance with Article 12.3 of the GDPR, the Organiser undertakes to provide the data subject with information on the measures taken in response to a request relating to the above rights as soon as possible and in any event within one month of receiving the request.

If you do not wish to receive or no longer wish to receive our offers, solicitations, and news, you may also indicate this by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of each communication.

We inform you of the existence of the "Bloctel" list of opposition to telephone solicitation, on which you can register (https://www.bloctel.gouv.fr/).

Finally, you have the right to submit a complaint to the Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés (more information on www.cnil.fr).

32. 7: Contact 

If you have any questions or complaints or if you wish to make recommendations or comments to MDS to improve our Personal Data Protection Policy, you can send an e-mail to https://halfmds.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new or send a letter to the following address:

WAA - HALF MARATHON DES SABLES 
66 avenue des Champs Elysées 
75008 PARIS
FRANCE

ART. 33: REVISION - UPDATING OF THE REGULATIONS AND TERMS OF SALES

The Organiser may revise and update these rules at any time; please check them regularly.

Any changes that are made will apply immediately upon notification, by any means, including the publication of a revised version of these rules on the HMDS website www.marathondessables.com. In the case of significant changes, the Organiser will notify you by e-mail to the e-mail address you provided when you registered.

ART. 34: DISPUTE - APPLICABLE LAW

These rules have been drafted in the French language, which will be considered the official language - the English and Spanish versions are free translations and therefore have no legal value.

It is subject to French law.

Any difficulty relating to the event and/or the interpretation of the rules which could not be amicably resolved between the Organiser and the participant shall fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent civil courts.