Marathon des Sables

Marathon des Sables
Official logo of the Marathon des Sables
LocationMorocco (Sahara Desert)
Namibia
Peru
Fuerteventura (Spain)
Jordan
Turkey
France
Event typeMulti-stage Ultramarathon
Distance250 km in 6 stages (MDS Legendary)

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)

100 km or 100 miles non-stop (MDS Ultra)
Established1986 (1986)
OrganizerWAA (What An Adventure)
(Cyril Gauthier)
Official sitewww.marathondessables.com
ParticipantsAmateurs and professionals

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.

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.

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.

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.