Marathon des Sables is a 250km / 6 stages ultra marathon in Ouarzazate, Morocco. Distance: 250km. Elevation: 1,500m D+. Difficulty: brutal (Challenge Rating 54/100). DNF rate: 12%. Time limit: 168h. Surface: sand. Established 1986.
Marathon des Sables
Ouarzazate, Sahara Desert, Morocco
"250km across the Sahara in 6 stages, carrying everything on your back. The 'Toughest Footrace on Earth'."
The world's most famous multi-stage desert race — 6 days of self-supported running across the Sahara.
The Course
A 6-stage, 250km self-supported footrace across the Sahara Desert. Runners carry everything they need on their backs (food, sleeping gear, clothes) while organizers provide water and communal tents. Stages range from 20km to 90km, including one legendary 'long stage' that takes runners through the night.
rolling
point-to-point
6
Runner Experience
Self-supported race — runners carry all supplies. Checkpoints for timing and safety only.
A legendary finish line atmosphere. Marathon des Sables is a bucket-list race with celebrations that match its reputation.
Race Day Weather
38°C
15° – 50°
15%
2%
Extreme desert heat during the day (often 45-50°C), cold at night. Sandstorms possible.
Stats & Records
1986
800
52:00:00
16:22:29
Mohamad Ahansal (2007)
Entry
€3,500
January
months
Lore & Trivia
Marathon des Sables is the race that invented desert ultrarunning. Founded in 1986 by French concert promoter Patrick Bauer — who had just walked 350km solo across the Sahara and decided others should share the experience — MdS has become the world's most famous multi-stage race. Roughly 1,000 runners carry everything they need (food, sleeping bag, survival gear) across 250km of the Moroccan Sahara over 6 stages. They sleep in open-sided Berber tents, treat their own blisters, and ration their own food. Only water is provided. The race crosses sand dunes, rocky hammada, dried riverbeds, and the occasional oasis. The long stage (80-90km) is where MdS earns its reputation: runners navigate through the night across featureless desert, hallucinating from heat and fatigue, finding the next checkpoint by the glow of flares on the horizon. Marathon des Sables has been criticized for being too commercial, too expensive, and too safe compared to "real" desert crossings. But 38 years after Bauer's first crossing, the Sahara still doesn't care about your opinions. The desert is the desert, and 250km through it will change you.
- ▸ Founded in 1986 by Patrick Bauer after he walked 350km solo across the Sahara.
- ▸ 250km across the Moroccan Sahara in 6 stages — runners carry all their own food and equipment.
- ▸ Only water is provided. Everything else — food, sleeping bag, survival gear — is on your back.
- ▸ The "long stage" (80-90km) runs through the night across featureless desert.
- ▸ Roughly 1,000 runners start each year from 50+ countries.
- ▸ An Italian competitor once got lost for 9 days in a sandstorm and was found in Algeria.
- ▸ Foot care is a survival skill — the medical tent treats hundreds of blisters daily.
- ▸ Nicknamed "the toughest footrace on earth" — a claim disputed by Barkley fans.
- ▸ The race costs approximately €3,500 excluding flights — one of the most expensive ultras in the world.
The desert strips you down to nothing. Then it shows you what's left.
I walked 350 kilometres across the Sahara, and when I returned, I knew I had to share this experience with the world.
Notable Editions
Mauro Prosperi's Sandstorm
Italian police officer Mauro Prosperi got lost in a sandstorm during the fourth stage and wandered alone in the desert for 9 days. He survived by drinking his own urine and eating bats in an abandoned mosque. He lost 16kg and was found 300km off course in Algeria. He returned to run MdS six more times.
Rachid El Morabity's Dynasty
Moroccan runner Rachid El Morabity won his ninth Marathon des Sables title, cementing his status as the greatest desert runner of all time. His brother Mohamed has also won the race multiple times — the El Morabity family dynasty is unmatched in the sport.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Marathon des Sables? +
Marathon des Sables is a 250km / 6 stages (250km) ultra marathon with 1,500m of elevation gain. The course is point-to-point on sand terrain.
How hard is Marathon des Sables? +
Marathon des Sables is rated brutal with a Challenge Rating of 54/100 (Challenging). The DNF rate is 12%. Runners have 168 hours to finish.
What is the weather like at Marathon des Sables? +
Average temperature is 38°C (range 15°C to 50°C) with 15% humidity and a 2% chance of rain. Extreme desert heat during the day (often 45-50°C), cold at night. Sandstorms possible.
Are crew and pacers allowed at Marathon des Sables? +
No crew access is permitted. Pacers are not allowed. Mandatory gear is required.
What is the course record for Marathon des Sables? +
The men's course record is 16:22:29 set by Mohamad Ahansal in 2007.
What is the average finish time for Marathon des Sables? +
The average finish time is 52:00:00. About 800 runners finish each year. The DNF rate is 12%.
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