About the race
The Marathon des Sables, known as the MDS, is a multi-day footrace across the Moroccan Sahara and the origin of a wider family of desert and endurance events. The flagship race is now called MDS Legendary.
History
The first edition was in 1986 in the Moroccan Sahara, with 23 competitors including the French adventurer Patrick Bauer. It was won by Bernard Gaudin and Christiane Plumere. In November 2017 the organisation launched its first events abroad, a full 250 km race in the Ica desert in Peru and a Half MDS in Fuerteventura. Namibia, Jordan, Turkey and France followed. The organiser now lists six destinations and seven formats. Rachid El Morabity holds the record for most wins with 11, ahead of Lahcen Ahansal with 10.
Format and distances
MDS Legendary covers around 250 km in six stages, in conditions of food self-sufficiency. Other formats include MDS 120 (70, 100 or 120 km in three stages), MDS Trek (70 to 120 km in four stages with lighter logistics), MDS Raid for teams, MDS Handi, MDS Ultra and the Crazy Loops events in the Alps.
Cut-offs and entry
The organiser describes its time limits as wide and says it expects people to walk, run or mix the two. It gives a minimum speed of 3.5 km/h, an average of 5.5 km/h and a fastest recorded 14 km/h, and says the youngest participant was 18 and the oldest 85. MDS Legendary 2027 is shown as closed for registration. For 2027 the organiser says registration for MDS 120, MDS Handi and MDS Trek Morocco opens on 28 October 2026 at 12:00 (UTC+2). The 2027 dates for MDS Legendary can be found on the organiser's site.
Where to watch
The race is a remote desert stage event, so check the organiser for spectator information. The organiser's emphasis is on shared bivouac life among participants, who share tents and meals.
Weather
The organiser describes Morocco's setting as desert climate, with the Sahara's hot sand, and it speaks of heat, wind and sand across its events. This is general background, not a forecast.
SourcesMarathon des Sables home · Wikipedia: Marathon des Sables