70, 100 or 120 km in 3 stages (MDS 120) 70 to 120 km in 4 stages (MDS Trek) 90 or 107 km (MDS RAID) 70 km (MDS Handi) Loops of 3 to 5 km for 24 h (MDS Crazy Loops)
Marathon des Sables (often abbreviated MDS) is an international organization that hosts several formats of ultra-endurance footraces, most of them held in food self-sufficiency conditions.[1]
The flagship event, now known as MDS Legendary, dates back to 1986 and takes place every year in the Moroccan Sahara, covering around 250 km in six stages.[2]
Since 2017, the organization has expanded its portfolio with new formats (ranging from 70 km to 250 km) and destinations such as Peru, Namibia, Fuerteventura, Jordan, Turkey and France.[3][4]
Every year, thousands of amateur and professional runners from all over the world take part in the different races, which combine sporting challenge with a strong human and collective experience.[5]
History
The first edition of the Marathon des Sables was held in 1986 in the Moroccan Sahara, with 23 competitors — among them French adventurer Patrick Bauer, who two years earlier had crossed part of the Sahara alone (about 350 km in 12 days).[6][7][8] The race was won by Bernard Gaudin and Christiane Plumere.[9]
In November 2017, the first international editions were launched: a full 250 km event in the Peruvian desert of Ica,[10] and the Half MDS in Fuerteventura (Spain).[11] Later editions expanded to Namibia, Jordan, Turkey and France.[12]
Later editions expanded to Namibia, Jordan, Turkey and France.[13]
Formats
Today, the Marathon des Sables is no longer a single race but a global series of events, each adapted to different audiences and terrains. The main formats are:
MDS Legendary – 250 km in 6 stages, self-sufficient, Morocco.
MDS 120 – 70, 100 or 120 km in 3 stages.
MDS Trek – 70 to 120 km in 4 stages, with lighter logistics (not strict self-sufficiency).
MDS RAID – 90 or 107 km in teams.
MDS Handi – 70 km in inclusive teams.
MDS Crazy Loops – loops of 3 to 5 km over 24 hours.
MDS Ultra – 100 km or 100 miles in a single non-stop stage.
Mauro Prosperi, a former Olympian from Sicily, is known for his 10 day disappearance while running in 1994.
In 1994, René Nevola, Mike Stroud, Mike Lean and Richard Cooper became the first British runners to complete the Marathon des Sables. René Nevola was the first Briton to complete the race and finished in 22nd place.
Marco Olmo, an Italian ultratrail specialist, ran all editions since 1996, with best placement 3rd (achieved three times). At the 2013 edition, Olmo was 64 years old, and he was 47 when he ran his first.[17]
Chris Moon[18] from Lanarkshire became the first amputee to complete the Marathon des Sables in 1996. Moon had lost his right arm and leg while supervising the clearing of landmines in Mozambique.[19]
Dima and Lama Hattab, Jordanian twins, were the first female Middle Eastern participants in the race in 2001.
Rachid El Morabity holds the record for most wins with 11.
James Cracknell, British rower and adventurer, competed in the 2010 race and became the highest-placing Briton ever to compete in the race, finishing 12th until fellow Briton Danny Kendall placed 5th in 2014. In 2017 Tom Evans became the first Briton to finish in the first three, finishing third overall.[20][21]
Explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes became the oldest Briton to complete the Marathon des Sables in 2015, at age 71, coached by MDS Coach and 18 x MDS finisher Rory Coleman.[22] In doing so he raised over £1million for the Marie Curie charity. However, in 2024 Harry Hunter became the oldest British finisher at 76 years old [23]
Cactus became the first dog to compete the Marathon des Sables in 2019. Cactus, a stray dog, started joining in with the runners during the second stage of the race and then went on to complete the remaining stages of the race. Cactus was awarded the official race number 000 and received his finishers' medal.[24]
Belgian YouTuber Robert Van Impe, known as Average Rob, completed the 2025 race with his brother Arno. The pair trained for 6 months prior. As of 27 June 2025, their documentary covering their attempt has 1.2 million views.[25]
Incidents
During the 1994 marathon, Mauro Prosperi was set 291km (181mi) off course[26] by a harsh sandstorm. He was lost for 10 days before being found in Algeria, following a well-publicized search of the desert.
During the 2021 marathon, a French runner in his early 50s suffered from cardiac arrest which resulted in his death.[27]
Bibliography
Ted Archer:[28]Carved by god, cursed by the devil – a true story of running the Sahara Desert. Redwood City CA, University of Dreams Foundation 2009. ISBN978-0-9770735-3-5
Patrick Bauer ... [et al.]: Le Marathon des Sables. Paris, SPE (Société de production éditoriale) 2000. ISBN978-2-912838-08-7 (English version by David Waldron).
John Bonallak: The desert run. Wellington, New Zealand, Learning Media Ltd. 1999. ISBN978-0-478-22948-6.
Steve Cushing: 24th Marathon des Sables – a competitor's tale. Leicester UK, Matador 2010, ISBN978-1-84876-286-2.
Guy Giaoui; Foued Berahou: Ultramarathon stage racing - from our experiences of the Marathon des Sables, the Trans Aq', and other races - a practical guide. St-Genest-Malifaux, Raidlight 2008. ISBN978-2-9530683-1-3.
Mark Hines: The Marathon des Sables - seven days in the Sahara - enduring the toughest footrace on earth. London, Health Body Publishing 2007. ISBN978-0-9553800-1-3 (hbk.). ISBN978-0-9553800-5-1 (pbk. 2010).
Marcel Nickler: Running the Sahara - a diary from the desert and beyond. Norderstedt, BoD 2019. ISBN978-3750423152
Monika Nicolle: Histoire d'un Marathon des Sables – 245 kilomètres dans le désert... Paris, Éditions de l'Onde 2010. ISBN978-2-916929-30-9.
Eddy Poirier: Vaincre soi-même: Marathon des Sables! Toute une histoire. [S.l.], Glob 2009. ISBN978-2-918257-03-5.
Pierre-Emmanuel Rastoin: Regard sur le Marathon des Sables: 2004/06. Biarritz, SAI 2007. ISBN978-2-7588-0037-8.
Mark Roe: Running from shadows - my Marathon des Sables. Kibworth Beauchamp, Matador 2014. ISBN978-1-78306-400-7.
Herbert Meneweger: Marathon des Sables - die Grenze ist, wo die Vorstellungskraft endet - der härteste Marathonlauf der Welt, 243 Kilometer durch die Sahara. Anthering AUT, Meneweger 2003. ISBN978-3-200-00037-7.
Mike Stroud OBE. (re-issued 2004). Survival Of The Fittest: Understanding Health and Peak Physical Performance.[29]ISBN978-0224075077
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