Marathon des sables
What: ‘The toughest footrace on earth’ the Marathon Des Sables is an endurance race across the Sahara desert lasting for a week and seeing competitors traversing the length of six regular marathons (approximately 250km) consecutively in high heat, high winds and high blistery conditions.
To make it that little bit tougher runners are responsible for transporting their own food, equipment and camping supplies over the course of the event, with training and planning for the event required by entrants at least six months in advance, and participants also required to cope with the nocturnal snakes and scorpions that inhabit the Sahara desert.
When: The Marathon Des Sables is held over the course of 10 days in mid September till the end of September with the running period of the race lasting for seven days.
Where: The marathon takes place in the Sahara desert in Morocco, near the town of Ouarzazate, Morocco with competitors offered flights from Paris as part of their runners package.
Duration: The Marathon officially lasts for 10 days, with 7 of these being running days. Runners are advised to begin preparation at least six months before, we endurance training and a strategy for managing equipment and food needed to succeed in the marathon.
Tickets: Entry to the marathon costs $5600 for individual entrants and $5700 for team entrants, with a variety of running kit, medical supplies (especially blister kits) and campaign equipment also required, along with training and preparatory supplies. Entry is available on the official Marathon Des Sables website: https://www.marathondessables.com/en and due to high demand it is advised to sign up a year in advance.
Need to Know: The marathon requires a volume of training ideally beginning six months in advance, with the event taking place amid sand and wind in heat close to 50c. Runners are also responsible for their own clothes, food, equipment and for sleeping arrangements – so management and planning are key.
More Information: The Marathon des Sables website (https://www.marathondessables.com) contains a range of advice on preparing and training as well as a number of accounts and advice from runner who have competed in the marathon in previous years.
