Marathon des Sables

The Marathon des Sables is an annual six-stage self-supported ultramarathon held each April in the Moroccan Sahara, covering approximately 250 kilometers over seven days. Competitors carry all personal food and equipment throughout the race, with organizers providing water and shared tents at nightly bivouacs. Established in 1986, the race has accumulated over 30,000 cumulative finishers and is considered one of the world's most demanding multi-stage ultra events.

ITRA 6 Endurance Points

Est.

1986

Distance

250km / 155mi

Course

Point-to-point

Surface

Desert Trail

Field Size

~1,000

When

April

THE COURSE

MI 0

KM 0

Start Line

The race begins at a Saharan bivouac in the Draa-Tafilalet region of southern Morocco, with the precise location varying each edition. Competitors carry all personal food and equipment from the first step.

MI 15

KM 25

Hammada Plateau

Early stages cross the hammada, a vast rocky gravel plain that defines much of the Moroccan Sahara. These exposed sections alternate with sandy oueds and low ridgelines offering little shade.

MI 50

KM 80

Erg Dune Fields

Competitors cross major erg sections with sand dunes reaching up to 100 meters in height. Loose sand and no fixed footing make these the most physically demanding terrain of the race per kilometer.

MI 75

KM 120

The Long Stage

Stage 4 spans approximately 80 to 91 kilometers and must be completed overnight, beginning in afternoon heat and continuing through darkness. Runners navigate with headlamps and manage sleep deprivation alongside physical effort.

MI 130

KM 210

Charity Stage

Stage 5 covers a standard marathon distance and is walked as a non-competitive solidarity leg alongside participants with disabilities. It serves as a recovery day before the final competitive finish.

MI 155

KM 250

Finish Line

The race concludes at a Saharan bivouac, completing a point-to-point route across roughly 250 kilometers of Moroccan desert. All finishers receive their medals at a ceremony held in the desert.