MDS Morocco

IN THE HEART OF THE SAHARA

THE CONCEPT

MDS Morocco 2024 - 3rd edition: from October 12 to 19 (Registration is currently full. To join the waiting list, please fill out the online form by clicking here).

Discover the mythical Sahara desert, following the tracks of the Marathon Des Sables, the Legendary.

On the program of the MDS Morocco: 3 sublime stages which will transport you in the most beautiful places of the Moroccan Sahara. A total of 70, 100 or 120 kilometers, to be covered at your own pace, walking or running.

You will sleep 4 nights in the heart of the Sahara, on the MDS bivouac, as well as 3 nights in a hotel located in the Province of Ouarzazate (1 night before, 2 nights after the race).

You will also discover the Ksar Aït-Ben-Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Discover the film of MDS Morocco 2023

Distances

You can choose 3 different distances: 70, 100 or 120km, divided into 3 stages.

Here is the breakdown:

Stage 1: 25km
Stage 2: around 20, 40 or 60km
Stage 3: 25km

The stages of the MDS can be completed at your own pace: walking or running.

More info on the distances and format here.

ON THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE MARATHON DES SABLES, THE LEGENDARY

The program of the adventure

On the footsteps of the MARATHON DES SABLES, THE LEGENDARY

The MDS Morocco is an amazing opportunity to discover the Sahara from the inside, playground of the legendary MARATHON DES SABLES,THE LEGENDARY

With a total of 37 editions, the MDS, THE LEGENDARY fascinates many adventure and long-distance lovers.

The MDS Morocco, it’s 70, 100 or 120km in exceptional landscapes, a total immersion in the Sahara desert, meetings and emotion, for an unforgettable adventure.

And, for those who, one day, plan to embark on the MARATHON DES SABLES, THE LEGENDARY adventure, it is also the perfect opportunity to train and test yourself in real conditions.

The offers

What is included in the offer:

Transfers between Marrakech airport, the hotel and the desert
3 nights in a double room in a hotel in the region of Ouarzazate at the edge of the Sahara (1 before the race, 2 after)

Bib for the adventure
4 nights on the MDS bivouac, in an individual tent

Medal and finisher t-shirt
Discovery of the Ksar of Aït-ben-Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Gala evening

You will share your room at the hotel with one other participant. Once you have registered, you will have the opportunity to fill in the name of the person(s) you wish to share the hotel with.

If you do not fill in anything, you will be randomly assigned with one other participant who speak the same language as you.

The rooms are not mixed, unless otherwise requested.

The MDS Morocco offer

Offer including the bib for the MDS adventure, 4 nights in the bivouac and 3 nights in a hotel in double room.

~~2 050€/person~~

1 950€/person until February 29, 2024

THE ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME

Join the adventure serenely

The organisation of the MDS does its best to ensure that the event takes place in the best conditions, and that participants who register don’t take any risk with adjusted cancellation and postponement conditions.

Free postponement

In case of doubt as the adventure approaches, you can postpone your participation free of charge to the next edition, until July 28, 2024.

Cancellation conditions

Our registration conditions allow you to cancel free of charge until May 19, 2024.

Cancellation insurance

In case of cancellation of the event by the organization, you will be refunded 100% of the amount you paid within 60 days.

Details of cancellation and postponement conditions are available in the MDS Morocco 2024 Regulations and Terms of Sales

THE DESERT OF SAHARA

The Sahara is the biggest hot desert in the world: covering 8 million km², it crosses 10 countries and has an incredible variety of landscapes: plains, hills, sand, rocks, oases... The Sahara is both mysterious, captivating and peaceful.

It is not surprising that the MARATHON DES SABLES, whose first edition was held in 1986, has quickly become one of the most mythical rendezvous for the adventure and challenge lovers.

With the MDS Morocco, we offer an adventure accessible to all kind of walkers and runners. A unique journey in the heart of the Sahara, where you will cross breathtaking landscapes. Far from any form of civilization, this is a unique opportunity to refocus on yourself and enjoy the simple pleasures of life.

DISCOVER MOROCCO

In addition to your experience into the desert, this unforgettable week of adventure will take you to discover Morocco, a country extremely rich in traditions, architecture, colors and for its people.

You will start the MDS week in the province of Ouarzazate, in the south of the country, at the edge of the Sahara. It’s in this region, located in the middle of the Moroccan High Atlas Mountains, that you will live a unique experience during the MDS Morocco.

After discovering the desert, your MDS adventure will continue with a visit of the Ksar of Ait-ben-Haddou, a wonderful site that has marked the history of the region - a testimony of the southern Moroccan culture. The Ksar of Ait-ben-Haddou is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and has been the decor of outstanding films and series, such as "Gladiator", "Game of Thrones", "Lawrence of Arabia", and many others.

You can also, if you wish, complete your discovery of Morocco by spending a few more days in Marrakech or Ouarzazate, before or after the MDS week.

DISCOVER THE ADVENTURE

INFOS MOROCCO 2024

HOW TO GET THERE?

There are 2 options to reach us at MDS Morocco: Marrakech or Ouarzazate. Indeed, you can choose to arrive to the airport of Marrakech, hosting many flights at affordable prices from all over Europe, located at 5 to 6 hours transfer from Ouarzazate. On the other hand, you can directly arrive to the airport of Ouarzazate, the city where the participants are sleeping before and after the adventure.

To simplify the arrival of everyone, we offer you the possibility to arrive at the airport that suits you best. You must arrive on Saturday, October 12, before 1pm.

If you arrive at Marrakech airport: transfers to Ouarzazate will be organized on Saturday, October 12, (5 to 6 hours drive).

If you arrive at the airport of Ouarzazate: The hotels are located less than 10 minutes away by cab, you will have to go there by your own means. The participants will be accommodated in different hotels according to the groups and nationalities. They will be informed a few weeks before the start in which hotel they will be staying. All hotels are located 10-15 minutes walk away from each other.

WHICH FLIGHTS TO CHOOSE?

If you arrive and leave from Marrakech:

Outbound: You can arrive until 1:00pm on October 12, the time of departure of the last buses that make the transfers.
Outbound transfers to Ouarzazate: transfers will take place throughout the morning and until 1:00 pm from Marrakech.
Return: you must choose a return flight after 1:00 pm on October 19, to have enough time to make the transfer from Ouarzazate.
Return transfers to Marrakech: the buses that make the return transfer will leave in the morning (the times of departure of the buses will be adapted according to the information provided by the participants.)

If you arrive and leave from Ouarzazate:

Outward trip: You can arrive whenever you want on Saturday, October 12 (until quite late).
Return trip: You can book your flight at any time on October 19. The hotels are located less than 10 minutes away by cab, you will have to go there by your own means.

You can extend your stay in Morocco by booking an accommodation in Marrakech after Saturday, October 22.

If you have any doubts about booking your flight, don’t hesitate to call us (+33 1 47 05 12 06).

Find our flight recommendations in our Frequently Asked Questions.

It is necessary to take flight tickets with cancellation and modification insurance, considering the restrictions that may be applied by the countries.

PROGRAM OF THE WEEK

Saturday: Arrival in Morocco, transfers from Marrakech to the hotel in Ouarzazate, technical/medical checks, night in the hotel.

Sunday: End of the technical/medical checks, transfer to the desert, start of self-sufficiency, first night at the bivouac.

Monday: First stage, night at the bivouac.

Tuesday: Second stage, night at the bivouac.

Wednesday: Rest day, night at the bivouac.

Thursday: Third stage, night at the hotel.

Friday: Day at the hotel, discovery of the Ksar of Aït-ben-Haddou, awards ceremony and gala evening.

Saturday: Return transfers to the airport of Marrakech, end of the MDS adventure.

WHAT DO I TAKE WITH ME?

If it’s your first MDS, you probably have a lot of questions. Once you register, we'll send you a full checklist of the material, but here is the principal to have per person:

Backpack plus 2 water bottles (type Ultrabag 20L)
T-shirt + running shorts
Trail shoes + anti-sand gaiters
Cap and sunglasses
Change: T-shirt + light shorts / leggings
Windbreaker jacket for the evening and morning
Sleeping bag + mattress for the night
Hygiene products (sun cream, soap, antiseptic...)
Toilet paper
Food and kitchen utensils (cooking utensils, lighter, fire pellets...)

You can bring a large suitcase with more clothes, which you will leave at the hotel and find after the MDS adventure.

Find more details by clicking here.

MEALS

A total of 12 meals will be required as follows:

Day 2: dinner.
Day 3, 4 and 5: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Day 6: breakfast, lunch.

The equivalent to 2000KCAL per day is recommended by the organization.

PRICES

Prices for the MDS Morocco 2024 are as follow:

From December 13 to 31, 2023: 1 750€/person
From January 01 to 31, 2024: 1 850€/person
From February 01 to 29, 2024: 1 950€/person
After March 01, 2024: 2 050€/person

INCLUDED IN THE OFFER

Transfers between the airport, the hotel and the desert
3 nights in a double room in a hotel in the region of Ouarzazate at the edge of the Sahara (1 before the race, 2 after)
Bib for the adventure
4 nights on the MDS bivouac, in an individual tent
Medal and finisher t-shirt
Discovery of the Ksar of Aït-ben-Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Gala evening

ULTRA-FLEXIBLE REGISTRATION CONDITIONS

Cancellation conditions:

Cancellation is possible without charge until May, 19, 2024.
From May 20, 2024 to June 23, 2024 included, 25% of the total amount of the registration will be kept by the organization in case of cancellation.
From June 24 to July 28, 2024 included, 50% of the total amount of the registration will be kept by the organization in case of cancellation.
From July 29, 2024, no refund is possible, however it will still be possible to postpone your registration according to the conditions detailed below.

Postponement conditions:

Up to and including July 28, postponement possible to the next edition free of charge.
From July 29, 2024 to September 01, 2024 included: 250€ fee for a postponement.
From September 02, 2024: no postponement possible.

DISTANCES

You can choose between 3 different distances: 70, 100 or 120 km, divided into 3 stages.

These distances are given as an indication and are likely to be adjusted according to the type of terrain and the difference in elevation of the routes.

SAFETY

During the race, you will be surrounded by the medical and organization teams from the beginning to the end of the stages.

The courses are marked with stakes every 50/100m, so it is almost impossible to get lost.

You will all be equipped with a GPS beacon with an alarm button, allowing the organization to locate you at any time.

A medical tent is present at the bivouac where you can go at any time.

PAYMENT TERMS

You can pay by:

Credit card
- 1, 3 or 5 instalments
Bank transfer
- 1 instalment

The number of instalments may vary depending on the date of registration. The registration will be 100% validated once the total amount of the registration is paid.

REGULATIONS

Consult the MDS Morocco 2024 Regulations and Terms of Sales

ABOUT US

The MARATHON DES SABLES are unforgettable races and adventures in timeless destinations.

A week-long adventure combining challenge, encounters and spectacular scenery.

The MDS events are organized by WAA a French brand of innovative clothing and accessories dedicated to the outdoors, particularly desert environments..