What is the MDS ?

The MARATHON DES SABLES (MDS) is not just a race, it is a remarkable human and sporting journey filled with unique encounters and experiences. Typically spanning from 7 to 10 days, this extraordinary event includes 4 days spent traversing the desert in some of the world's most breathtaking locations, such as Fuerteventura, Peru, Morocco, Jordan, Turkey, and Egypt, among others.

 

Participants will begin their adventure by staying in a hotel for 1 or 2 nights before embarking on a challenging 4-day trek through the desert. During this time, they will spend 3 to 4 nights in a bivouac, where they will sleep in individual tents. This setup not only fosters a sense of camaraderie among participants but also allows them to immerse themselves in the stunning desert landscape.

 

Throughout the race, each participant is responsible for carrying their own backpack, which must contain all necessary equipment and food for the duration of the stages. However, the organization provides tents, which remain at the bivouac for the duration of the event. Water is a crucial resource in the desert, and competitors will find it readily available at all checkpoints along the route, as well as at the bivouac to ensure they stay hydrated throughout their journey.

 

The MDS offers several different formats :

• MDS Legendary :
  This concept refers to the original and iconic version of the MDS, the mythical race in the Moroccan Sahara Desert created in 1986. It is a self-sufficient foot race covering around 250 km over 6 stages.
   

• MDS 120 :
  This concept is a shorter and more accessible version of the MDS Legendary. The race offers three distance formats, allowing each participant to choose the one that suits them best: 70, 100, or 120 km. These distances are divided into 3 stages as follows :
  - Stage 1: approximately 25 km
  - Stage 2: approximately 20, 40, or 60 km (depending on the chosen format)
  - Stage 3: approximately 25 km
  A rest day is scheduled between the second and third stages.
   

• MDS Trek :
  This concept is the “walker” version of the MARATHON DES SABLES, designed for those who want to experience the desert adventure without running and without food self-sufficiency.
  During the stage, you will carry only a light backpack with a few personal items and your lunch of the day. You can adjust the stage distances based on your fitness level, and once back at the bivouac, you will enjoy a Berber shower, a massage, and a dinner buffet.
  Approximate distances are as follows :
  - Stage 1: 14 or 24 km
  - Stage 2: 12 or 15 km
  - Stage 3 – Day 1: 19 or 31 km (followed by the Star Night)
  - Stage 3 – Day 2: 19 or 26 km
  - Stage 4: 13 or 24 km
   

• MDS Raid :
  The MDS Raid features a single course option with 100 to 120 km spread over 3 stages, with minimal marking that will push you beyond your limits. The adventure is completed in pairs—either with someone you choose or with another participant who has a similar pace.
  There are no classic checkpoints—only “Water Stations” available approximately every 10 km. The race remains self-sufficient in terms of food.
  There is only one distance format for the MDS Raid, with around 100 to 120 km to cover. A unique route through the dunes awaits you, with stages structured as follows :
  - Stage 1: 25 to 30 km
  - Stage 2 (over 2 days): 45 to 55 km
  - Stage 3: 25 to 30 km
   

• MDS Crazy Loops :
  The MDS Crazy Loops is an inclusive, sporty, and festive 3-day adventure. Get ready for a truly unique experience: 24 hours of racing, day and night, to complete as many loops as possible (a 3 to 5 km loop that you repeat freely for 24 hours).
  Everyone moves at their own pace, carried by the collective energy and the magic of the mountains. One loop, ten, twenty… anything is possible. You take part the way you want to — solo or in a team, at your own pace, running or walking.
  And to fully embrace the experience, the MDS bivouac awaits you: two nights under a tent in the mountains. But if you prefer sleeping in a hotel in the resort, the format is flexible — you choose your accommodation, your comfort, your adventure.
   

• MDS Handi :
  The total distance to be covered is approximately 70 km, divided into 3 stages:
  - Stage 1: 10 to 15 kilometers
  - Stage 2: 20 to 25 kilometers
  - Stage 3: 25 to 30 kilometers
  Before starting the adventure, you will be able to test all the equipment at the bivouac to make any necessary adjustments.
  Each MDS Handi team is made up of 4 people, with 3 teammates who can take turns pushing or pulling.
  
  To make the adventure accessible to everyone, we will provide a trail-type racing chair. The bivouac is arranged to meet your needs, offering adapted comfort after each stage.
  Equipped shuttles will also be available to ensure transportation before and after the race.
   

• MDS Ultra : 
  The MDS Ultra is an endurance event in an ultra-trail format, with two distance options — 100 km or 100 miles (~160 km) — to be completed in self-sufficiency over 40 hours of continuous racing.
  On the program :
  - A course following the tracks of the MDS Legendary in Morocco
  - The possibility to choose your distance during the race
  - Water stations approximately every 10 km
  - Life bases every ~30 km with supplies and a heated area
  - No bivouac

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Elevation gain is also an important element, as it depends on the course selected. In general, for each edition of the MDS, the total positive elevation gain ranges between 700 m and 1200 m over all 3 stages, adding an additional challenge for participants.

The MDS can be completed at your own pace, whether you choose to walk or run. The recommended average pace is 5.5 km/h, while the minimum allowed speed is 3.5 km/h, allowing everyone to take part according to their abilities.

 

 

On average, each edition of the MDS showcases a diverse group of participants, including :

• Approximately 50% of competitors are walkers, highlighting the event's accessibility.
• The event attracts participants from 45 different nationalities, fostering a rich cultural exchange.
• Women make up 52% of the participants, showcasing the event's appeal to all genders.
• The average age of participants is 42 years, with ages ranging from as young as 18 to as old as 83 years, demonstrating that the MDS is truly for everyone.
• An impressive 98% of participants successfully finish the race, reflecting the supportive environment and the determination of those involved.

 

Once the race concludes, participants return to their hotel to celebrate their achievements together. This time can be spent relaxing and reflecting on their journey, or exploring the unique culture and attractions of the host country, depending on the destination chosen for that year's event.