Mandatory equipment:
The mandatory equipment varies depending on each concept.
Below you will find the mandatory equipment per person, for each MDS:
MDS 120 / MDS Handi / MDS Raid:
- A WAA Ultra Bag 20L backpack or equivalent (does not apply to the person in a wheelchair for MDS Handi)
- A water container capacity of 1.5 liters (bottle, hydration bladder, etc.)
- A sleeping bag
- A headlamp (which must be turned on from dusk) + 1 full set of spare batteries or battery
- 10 safety pins
- A lighter
- A whistle
- A metal blade knife
- A skin antiseptic
- A signaling mirror
- A survival blanket
- Bouillon cubes type "Knorr" (2 per day) to aid rehydration. Using these cubes effectively replaces salt tablets.
- Toilet paper (not provided by the organization)
- A tube of sunscreen of at least 50 ml
- 100€ in cash
- Passport or identity card
- The official MDS medical certificate completed by a doctor (form available 3 months before the race).
- The passport (or identity card depending on entry conditions). The document must be valid at least until the end of the stay. BUT as a safety measure, it is strongly recommended to have a passport valid at least one month after; otherwise, the organization declines all responsibility in case of problems.
- Meals for the entire MDS (see regulations)
Additionally for MDS Handi:
- Memory foam cushion to adjust seating on the wheelchair
- Protective sleeves for upper limbs
Additionally for MDS Raid:
- Mobile phone + external battery
- Podiatry kit (to autonomously treat small blisters)
Additionally for MDS Legendary:
- Headlamp - minimum 400 lumens
- Compass with 1° or 2° precision
- 200€ in cash or 2,000 dirhams
- The original MDS medical certificate, duly completed and signed by the doctor (dated less than 30 days before the race start, i.e., from March 3, 2026).
- The original resting ECG and its tracing (dated less than 30 days before the race start, i.e., from March 3, 2026).
MDS Ultra:
- A backpack with sufficient capacity to carry all the equipment
- Minimum water capacity of 1.5L
- Running outfit (top + bottom)
- Trail running shoes
- Warm long-sleeve mid-layer
- Headlamp + batteries + spare battery
- Survival blanket: minimum 1.40 x 2 m
- Whistle
- Signaling mirror
- Metal blade knife
- Food for the entire race (self-managed)
- Sunscreen
- Skin antiseptic
- Adhesive elastic bands allowing strapping or bandaging (100 cm x 6 cm)
- 6 safety pins or a bib holder
- 100€ in cash
- Toilet paper (not provided by the organization)
- Passport or identity card
- Official medical certificate provided by the organization, duly completed and signed by the doctor, dated less than 90 days before the race start
In January, during the MDS Ultra, the Moroccan Sahara desert offers contrasting weather, with mild and sunny days but very cold nights. That is why we will implement kits: the cold kit and the rain kit. Each participant must obligatorily have all the elements of these kits in their suitcase. The day before the race start, the organization will decide whether to deploy the necessary kit(s) based on the weather forecast for the next 40 hours.
Cold kit:
Thermal long-sleeve layer
Thermal long pants or tights
Light gloves
Multifunction neck gaiter or beanie
Warm socks for the night
Rain kit:
Waterproof jacket with hood (minimum 20,000 SCHMERBER)
Waterproof pants
Rain cover for backpack
Change of clothes (top + bottom)
Spare socks (1 pair)
MDS Trek:
- A backpack with sufficient capacity for mandatory equipment + lunch (to be picked up before the stage start)
- Minimum water container capacity of 1.5 liters (bottle, hydration bladder, etc.)
- A sleeping bag
- A headlamp + 1 full set of spare batteries or battery
- 10 safety pins
- A lighter
- A whistle
- A metal blade knife
- A skin antiseptic
- A signaling mirror
- A survival blanket
- 8 bouillon cubes (2 per day). Using these cubes effectively replaces salt tablets, which are no longer offered to runners
- A tube of sunscreen
- 100€ in cash
- Passport or identity card
- Official medical certificate provided by the organization, duly completed and signed by the doctor, dated less than 90 days before the race start
1. Poles:
To do the MDS with poles or without poles, that is the question.
One thing is certain, if you want to take them for the race, you need to train with them beforehand because it requires some experience and coordination.
Poles will help you maintain balance during the race. They will also be useful for climbs and descents, to lean on.
They will be especially useful for people planning to walk part of the adventure.
Light poles will allow you not to carry too much weight if you decide to put them in your backpack for a while during the race.
There are 3-section poles and telescopic poles, the first generally being lighter, but the telescopic ones more compact and practical. Again, the ideal is to test both and their storage to make the best choice.
2. Shoes & gaiters:
The use of gaiters is strongly recommended. Indeed, they will prevent sand from entering your shoes and bothering you during the adventure.
To put gaiters on your shoes, they need to be attached by a cobbler, which can sometimes take up to 10 days, so you need to take care of this well before the race and not at the last minute.
For shoes, it is recommended to use trail running shoes with gripping soles. Some runners prefer to take a size larger than usual to avoid being tight if feet swell from heat or being too cramped due to sand, dressings, or blisters. Feel free to try your shoes before the race, in conditions close to those of the MDS, to know which type of shoes suits you best.
Of course, you should be somewhat accustomed to your shoes before the race, thus avoid new models.
3. Clothing:
For the race, most runners take only one outfit to avoid overweight in the backpack. However, it is possible to take an additional top or bottom, but keep in mind that you will have to wear it during the race.
Here are the qualities your clothes should have so you can experience the event under the best possible conditions:
- Lightweight clothes
- Breathable clothes that dry quickly
- Comfortable clothes without chafing
- Bonus: practical clothes with pockets
4. Cooking equipment:
Regarding equipment for feeding yourself, you will need:
- A cooking pot/small saucepan: to heat your water and food
- A stove: which will serve as a support to place your pot and heat it
- Fire tablets: the fuel to heat your pot
- Lighter: to light your tablets - there can be a lot of wind depending on the destinations, so a storm-type lighter could be considered
- Cutlery (fork, spoon…)
Gas stoves are strictly prohibited.
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