The Event

This years Marathon des Sables (MdS, or ‘Marathon of the Sands’), was a 245.3km, 7-day race across the Moroccan Sahara - it’s recognised as one of the toughest races on the planet.

During the event, competitors ran on foot through some of the most beautiful & remote sections of the Moroccan Sahara carrying a backpack with all essential gear, food, sleeping bag & clothing for the week. The race organizers provided only water (about 9l / day), & a traditional two-sided Berber tent each night to sleep in.

MdS 2008 started on March 30 & comprises 6 stages, over 7 days & looked something like this):

• stage 1  31.6km
• stage 2  38.0km 
• stage 4  75.5km (over 30hrs)
• stage 5  42.2km (marathon)
• stage 6  17.5km

The terrain covered was a mixture of salt flats, mud flats, dried up river beds, rocky desert plains & hills… plus a few giant sand dunes! We even got to wander through the odd remote desert village too.

Temperatures were extreme… daytime highs reached 50°C & night-time lows dropped to 5-10°C - the occasional sandstorm added to the fun!

Professionally trained doctors & support crew followed the race; however each competitor was required to carry a snake bite kit, thermal blanket, signal mirror & distress flare…