What is the Marathon Des Sables

The Marathon Des Sables is ranked as one of the toughest endurance events in the world. The event also involves coping with searing heat, extreme foot blisters, huge sand dunes .The Marathon Des Sables is a footrace across the Moroccan Dessert that covers 243km/151 miles in sections 25, 34, 38, 82, 42 and 22 km. Run over six days, equivalent to 5.5 marathons in a week. Each participant must carry everything they will need for the duration of the race in a back pack weighing an average of 20 lbs including;  food, clothes ,medical kit, compass, stove, anti venom pump and survival supplies as well as sleeping bags ect.  Participants must intake 2000-4000 calories in a day in order to fuel the physical demands. This past year close to 1000 athletes from 43 countries will be competing.

The Stages are divided up the liaison stage, the marathon stage and the non-stop stage is held partly during the night.  The water supply for the duration of the race is monitored and distributed throughout the stages of the race. Each contestant will receive an average of 10.5 litres a day. On the double marathon day where racers need to cover 80-90km in 34 hours, they are given a “generous” 22 litres of water. As of last year, Lahcen Ahansal and his brother Mohammed, both from Morocco, have won the race a combined 13 times.

Participants

There have been over 11,000 competitors since 1986.

•30% repeat competitors

•70% international

•30% French

•14% Women

1. •45% Veterans
   

Marathon Des Sables Facts:

Name: Marathon Des Sables

Location: Sahara Desert

Distance: 247km

Participation: 43 different nationalities compete

Daily Temperature: 40-50 Celcius

Nightly Temperature: 0-10 Celcius

Average Weight of Rucksack: 20lbs

Victims: Two Deaths since inception

Favorite Quote: “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift”- Steve Prefontaine