What is the Marathon Des Sables?

Marathon Des Sables (MDS), is a self-sufficient multi-stage ultra marathon across the southern Morocco Sahara Desert. It's a 260km run across 6 days meaning you are running an equivalent of a marathon each day. While the route changes slightly every year, the total distance remains relatively the same.

It was also considered the hardest footrace by many ultra-runners due to the extreme weather and terrain that is the Sahara Desert. The race test even the fittest athletes to their extreme. I've read stories about people who not only overcome hardship and achieving the immpossible but also forging unforgettable friendshipl. This is truly a place were people's race, nationality and ethnic were stripped bare. We were just merely humans trying to survive to the end. In 2018, instead of just living in the tales told by others, I am physically going to be a apart of this grand adventure.

A rundown of race

Day 1 : 30.3km
Day 2 : 39km
Day 3 : 31.6km
Day 4 : 86.2km (WOOOSHHHHH)
Day 5 : Rest
Day 6 : 42.2km
Day 7 : Compulsory Charity stage 20.5km

Day 1. 2, 3 and 6 have a cut off time of 12hours. Day 4, otherwise known as the "Long Stage" have a cut off time of 35 hours. I have to say the cutoff time might seems very forgiving if not for the fact that you have to carry everything you need for the entire 260km. This include a list of mandatory items which you must bring such as Food, Sleeping bag, Emergency blanket, Compass, headlamp, etc. The backpack have a weight requirement of 6kg-15kg.

Due to the climate, terrain and the sheer distance, there are additional unique challenges involves which is very different from say running a Standard Chartered Full Marathon. The challenges includes but not limited to

1) Running under 40-50degree Celsius Sahara heat.
2) Running on soft fine sands. Requires about 30% more energy than on pavement/track. This is no joke, I climbed a sand dune once in the Gobi Desert. It was 2 steps forward one step back.
3) Not dropping out during stage 4 (86.2km).
4) Running with a 10kg backpack
5) Lots of sand dunes that are high and steep.
6) Handling discomfort (sleeping and eating)
7) Blisters (I've seen photo's of people toenails dropped off!)
8) Dehydration


Every year there are about 1200 competitors from all around world. 300 female runners. Statistically, there are about 200 DNFs, with most common reason being dehydration and heat strokes. 3 Runners have died since 1986 when this race was first started. This was due to sandstorm and flood and runners lost their way. Ever since then, the organizer have went extra length to provide GPS tracker for every racers to ensure their location can be known at all time. This GPS also allow families, friends and sponsors of runners to keep track of their well-being and performance during the race.

Here is a short Teaser clip followed by a full coverage. The official youtube page does a very good job of coverage.




The 2018 MDS will start 06April18 to 16Apr18. The Grand Jouney awaits!

MDS and my Story