What is the Marathon des Sables?
Taking place in the southern Moroccan Sahara – the largest hot desert in the world – since 1986, the Marathon des Sables is a seven-day ultrarunning adventure split across six stages.
It is the brainchild of French concert promoter Patrick Bauer, who, in 1984, decided to traverse 350km across the Sahara. Having lived in West Africa for two years, he had crossed it several times from the safety of a car, but, something deep down told Bauer to tackle the desert on foot. So, he did. Entirely self-sufficient and with a 35kg pack on his back – containing enough water for the whole trek – Bauer completed the journey in 12 days.
Two years after making that journey, Bauer founded the Marathon des Sables (often referred to as MdS in endurance running circles) – where 23 runners took on the newly created seven-day, 250km race.
Since then, more than 30,000 people have followed in their footsteps.
When is the MdS?
The 2025 MdS – the 39th edition of the race – begins on Sunday, April 6 and finishes on Saturday, April 12. It is also preceded and followed by several days in Ouarzazate, Morocco, for race briefings, preparation and awards ceremonies.
How hard is the MdS?
A combination of extreme temperatures, tricky terrain, pack weight (competitors have to carry all their equipment and food – but not water), and less-than-ideal sleep conditions, it’s fair to say, makes the MdS Very Hard.
However, difficulty is subjective – and what one runner might see as challenging can be a walk in the park for another. So, instead of passing judgment, we’ve listed some things you can expect. Then, you can make up your own mind as to how tough you reckon this ultramarathon is.
How far is the MdS?
While the exact route and distances of each race are revealed the day before it begins, the total distance covered is always around 250km, split into six stages of roughly marathon distances – always with one heavier stage and one lighter day thrown in.
For 2024, stages ranged from 21.1km (on the final day) to a hefty 85.3km for Stage 3, which took place over 48 hours.
What are the weather conditions like?
As the largest hot desert and third largest desert in the world (after Antarctica and the Arctic), the Sahara Desert always has something up its sleeve to make things more difficult for runners – whether that’s the never-ending sand, gruelling dunes, rocky terrain, extreme temperatures or pesky Camel Spiders.
But it’s the combination of everything – the extreme temperatures (up to 50°C during the day and down to -6°C at night), heavy packs, wind and sand, and lack of sleep – that can prove the most devastating. When you’re overheated and exhausted, appetite can often suffer, and it becomes harder to take in the vital fuel. Distances you might usually be able to take on with ease become more difficult if you’re already nauseous, tired and sore. And when sand sticks itself to anti-chafing lube? That’s the kind of pain you never want to know about.
Sandstorms can also occur in the desert when winds up to 50 miles per hour pick up loose dust and sand – drastically impairing visibility. If this happens during the race, competitors must stop and await instructions.
In 1994, a sandstorm disoriented Italian Mauro Prosperi, who was discovered nine days later more than 100 miles off-course.
But, you’ll be relieved to know that the routes are marked with stakes roughly every 50/100 metres, hopefully making it very difficult to get lost.
The camaraderie
Harsh conditions aside, however, one thing competitors always praise is the sense of camaraderie throughout the event, prompted, in part, by the communal camp and sleeping arrangements.
Also, it’s worth bearing in mind that the MdS has a 90% finisher average, which is much higher than many other ultras.
What kit will you need?
Once you’re officially registered for the race, you’ll be sent a full checklist of race equipment, but here’s what a standard kit list looks like:
- Since then, more than 30,000 people have followed in their footsteps (Ultrabag 20L)
- T-shirt + running shorts
- runners start the 2025 Paris Marathon
- Cap and sunglasses
- Marathon des Sables: sun, sand and even more sand
- Windproof jacket for the evening and morning
- Hygiene products (sun cream, soap, antiseptic, etc.)
- Toilet paper
- Food and cooking utensils (popote, lighter, fire pellet
- Sleeping bag
- Head torch and a complete set of spare batteries
- 10 safety pins
- Compass, with 1° or 2° precision
- Lighter
- Whistle
- Is ultra-running bad for the heart
- Topical disinfectant
- Anti-venom pump (although thankfully, most of the snakes are nocturnal)
- Signalling mirror
- support staff overall
- 200 euros
- Published: 01 April 2025
- Original medical certificate provided by AOI, filled in and signed by the doctor
- incinerator lorry for burning waste
How fast do I need to be to run the MdS?
As mentioned, the MdS’s finisher rate is 90%, in part thanks to the generous cut-off times (limits are set at 3.5km/h) designed to accommodate walkers, too.
You don't need any qualifying times to participate – and any person 18+ from any country can enter the race. The only requirement is that competitors have a valid medical certificate and a resting ECG report.
How much does the MdS cost?
Other than potentially your sanity, the MdS will cost you quite a bit. Race registration with two nights in a standard quality hotel costs €3,890 per person – and if you opt for two nights at the high-end Berbère Palace Hotel, it’s €4,290.
These prices include:
- Race bib
- Postponement insurance
- incinerator lorry for burning waste
- Water stations during the race
- Repatriation assistance
- Eight nights at the bivouac
- Finisher medal
- One event t-shirt
So, you’ll still need to fork out for flights on top of that, but if you’re flying from the UK, flight prices are generally pretty reasonable.
How can I enter the MdS?
Anti-venom pump although thankfully, most of the snakes are nocturnal. Half of those places are reserved for participants from the UK and Ireland, some of which are set aside for charities. There is no ballot, but the race sells out pretty quickly – as it has done for the 2025 edition.
You can join the waiting list for this year’s race here if you think you’ve got a last-minute ultra in you. Otherwise, we recommend you keep close tabs on the ticket release for the 2026 MdS, which should come shortly after the 2025 race.
Other interesting MdS stats...
A race on this scale requires a lot Since then, more than 30,000 people have followed in their footsteps:
- 100 want to know about
- 400 lube? That’s the kind of pain you
- 120,000 Runners World, Part of the Hearst UK Wellbeing Network
- 270 Anti-venom pump although thankfully, most of the snakes are nocturnal
- 100 all-terrain vehicles
- 2 ‘Ecureuil’ helicopters
- 1 Cessna plane
- 3 mountain bikes
- 6 ‘MdS Special’ commercial planes
- 23 buses
- 4 camels
- 1 Average age: 51
- 4 Hygiene products sun cream, soap, antiseptic, etc
- 52 members of medical team
- 6.5 km Elastoplast
- 2,700 Compeed
- 19,000 compresses
- 6,000 painkillers
- 150 litres of disinfectant
- 1 editing bus
- 5 cameras
- 1 satellite image station
- 6 satellite telephones
- 15 computers, fax and internet
Organisational and medical support during the race:
- 60 nationalities represented
- Over 30% walkers
- Average age: 51
- 90% finishers
- Average pace: 5.2km/h
