StageRaces.com

Marathon des Sables

The MARATHON DES SABLES is a desert race, open to runners and walkers, with seven stages that require competitors to be self-sufficient. The MARATHON DES SABLES covers a distance of about 250 km through the Moroccan portion of the Sahara Desert.

Each participant in the MARATHON DES SABLES must carry his/her own backpack containing food, sleeping gear and other material throughout the duration of the event.

2017 MARATHON DES SABLES program

07 April: Departure for Morocco, arrival, transfer bivouac.
08 April: Technical, administrative and medical formalities.
09 to 14 April: Timed stages with food self-sufficiency.
15 April: Timed, “Solidarity” stage with food self-sufficiency
16 April: Free day
17 April: Return

A road book will be compiled from the survey reconnaissance missions. The exact course will remain secret and will only be revealed at the time of distributing the road books on 07 April. It will include various items of interest on the stages, support, etc. Competitors shall be penalized they you do not have their roadbook during the race. (see ART. 28).
Each morning a briefing will be held relating to that day’s stage by the organizers in French and in English.

The organization takes charge of supplying water to each competitor.

Liaison stage: 10.5 litres per person per day
• 1.5 litres before the start each morning,
• 2 or 3 x 1.5 litres during the race, at check points,
• 4.5 litres at arrival post.

Marathon stage: 12 litres per person per day :
• 1.5 litre before the start in the morning,
• 1.5 litres at check-points 1 and 3,
• 3 litres at check-point 2,
• 4.5 litres at arrival post.

Non-stop stage: 22.5 litres per person over 2 days :
• 1.5 litres before the start of the race in the morning,
• 1.5 litres at check-points 1, 3, 6,
• 1.5 or 3 litres at check-points 2, 4 and 5,
• 4.5 litres at arrival post,
• 4.5 litres at the bivouac.