WELCOME TO THE MOROCCAN SAHARA DESERT
As the official Marathon des Sables representative for Australia & New Zealand, Travelling Fit are here to help you every step of the way. We will answer all your questions and guide you with sound advice in the lead up to Marathon des Sables. Mari-Mar Walton, Founder and Managing Director of Travelling Fit, has completed 7 MDS events and can provide first-hand knowledge and experience. We know what it takes to participate.
Travelling Fit also take care of your pre-race land arrangements in Morocco and answer all your questions in the lead up to the event so that you are well prepared. Our involvement in your booking process allows you to focus on your training and we will take care of the rest.
We highly recommend that you stay a minimum of 2 nights in Ouarzazate prior to the event. To facilitate this we have put together a “Pre-Event” package that will allow you to not only meet your fellow competitors but also to acclimatise to the conditions before you get to the start of the race.
We hold two Marathon des Sables training camps, usually in October and February. This is the chance to trial out all your food, equipment and ask all the questions you have. You will be presented with an extremely informative and invaluable weekend to help you prepare for “the toughest footrace on earth”, the Marathon des Sables.7
- Packages Include
- 1 Nights Accommodation at Sofitel Casablanca Tour Blanche
(Check In: Tue 09 Apr | Check Out: Wed 10 Apr 2024) - 2 Nights Accommodation at Hotel Club Hanane, Ouarzazate
(Check In: Wed 10 Apr | Check Out: Fri 12 Apr 2024) - Breakfast Daily
- Informal welcome get together dinner (Tue – own expense)
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients - Dinner in Ouarzazate (Wed & Thu)
- Bus Transfer from Casablanca to Ouarzazate (Wed)
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients - Optional Warm up run in Ouarzazate (Thu)
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients - Personalised Travelling Fit Running Top
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients - Invite to Travelling Fit’s MDS Closed Facebook Group
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients - Travelling Fit Representative on site and available for questions
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients - Taxes and Service Charges
PACKAGE FLYERS
PACKAGE PRICES
The Course
Marathon des Sables is a self-sufficient foot race held across the Sahara desert in Southern Morocco. It’s held in five stages over six days covering a total of approximately 250kms with set distances for each day ranging from approximately 30kms to 85kms.
Participants must carry all their supplies including clothing, food, sleeping bag and first aid for the duration of the event. Overnight shelters (in camps/bivouac) and water (strictly controlled and distributed during the race) is supplied. All stages will be timed with the final stage known as the “Solidarity” stage.
The route details are only given to the participants on the day of registration in Morocco, so there is no unfair advantage in planning.
The event goes way beyond merely covering 250 kilometres in extreme conditions; it is a challenge to get past what normal people would regard as crazy and achieve one’s personal goals.
Testimonials
Race Information
Entry Fees
Entry Fees must be paid directly to the race organisers online –https://inscription.marathondessables.com/en
The total registration cost for the 2024 Marathon des Sables is EUR3,540 for individual registration and EUR3,640 for team registrations (per person) and includes all arrangements from 12 April through to 22 April 2024.
Qualifying Times
Qualifying Times are not required however you must be 18 years or over. Written permission from parent or guardian must be given for any entrants aged between 16 and 18 years inclusive.
Competitors must hold a medical certificate form (issued by the event organisers) which must be completed by their GP along with a resting ECG report with graph. The medical certificate and ECG must be dated no more than 30 days before the start of the race.
Please note that failure to provide an up to date medical certificate and ECG may result in a fine or potential disqualification.
Start Time
The start time for each stage race will be confirmed by the race organisers at race control the day prior to the event start.
Cut-Off Times
Stage 1, 2 and 3 must be completed in a maximum time of 10 hours (approximately).
Stage 4, known as the “long” stage – between 75 and 85km (held partly during the night) must be completed in a maximum time of 32 hours.
Stage 5 marathon, known as “solidarity” stage must be completed in a maximum time of 12 hours (approximately).
Cut off times will be confirmed by the race organisers in the handbook which is distributed on the way out to the Bivouac on the Friday.
Race Timing
Competitors will be equipped with a ChronoTag for real-time monitoring and ranking.
Race Packets
Technical and administrative verification will take place at the first Bivouac, on Saturday, prior to race start. Participants must present themselves to the race organisers and meet all administrative, technical & medical requirements.
Participants will receive two race bibs, timing system (Chrono Tag), distress beacon (SPOT), salt tablets, toilet liners, road book and a check-in card.
Pace Setters
Not applicable for this event
Personal Refreshments and Clothing
Competitors must be completely self-sufficient during the entire 6 day event. However, water will be provided on a daily basis.
All of the compulsory equipment and personal belongings for each competitor (eg food, first aid, sleeping bag and backpack) should weigh a minimum of 6.5kg and a maximum of 15kg.
NOTE: This minimum/maximum weight does not include your daily water supply.
Each participant will have to fulfil the above obligations during the administrative and technical checks on a daily basis.
Aid Stations
Water will be distributed per day to each competitor during the race at check points and upon arrival at the bivouac.
Medical assistance will be available at each check point. As a “rule of thumb” water will be distributed as per the following:
Stages 1,2 & 3:
- 1.5 litres or 3 litres at check-points 1 and 2
- 1.5 litres or 3 litres at check-point 3, if applicable
- 6.5 litres at the finish.
Stage 4:
- 1.5 litres or 3 litres at check-points 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7
- 5 litres at the finish
- 6.5 litres at the bivouac (Day 2 of Stage 4).
Stage 5 (Marathon known as the “Solidarity” stage):
- 1.5 litres or 3 litres at check-points 1, 2 and 3
- 6.5 litres at the finish.
Transport
Travelling Fit’s pre-MDS package includes transportation from Casablanca to Ouarzazate on Wednesday 10th April 2024.
MDS Event: A transfer will be provided from Ouarzazate to the first Bivouac and after the final stage race you will be transported back to Ouarzazate.
Finishes T-Shirts, Medals and Certificates
All finishers will receive a medal after completing stage 6 (Marathon, “Solidarity” Stage).
T-Shirts will be given out the day after the event in Ouarzazate.
Finishers Certificate and Official race video will be downloadable about 3 months after the race.
Weather Conditions
Average Temperature in April is 30 degrees Celsius during the day and 14 degrees Celsius during the night. The Moroccan Sahara is a very dry heat with the average humidity being less than 10 %.
In the event of a sand storm lowering visibility to zero, competitors must stop on the course and wait for instructions by the organisers.
Other Events
N/A
