Marathon des Sables returns after a two year delay due to Covid-19

The 35th edition of the Marathon des Sables (MDS) will be held from October 1 to 11, after being delayed for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

750 contestants representing 41 nations will participate in this edition, which is divided into 5 stages, in addition to the Solidarity stage over a distance of 250 km, which will be held in the south, director Patrick Bauer said in a press conference.

Legendary ten-time MDS winner Moroccan Lahcen Ahansal will be returning in the ranks of the lions du desert team, in addition to other participants such as Hannah Mary Bradshaw from England, and Olivier Crouvizier and Nicolas Duplaa From France.

‘The race is free, so it’s accessible to a lot of people,” Patrick Bauer founder of the marathon said to reporters.

The director stressed that this year’s edition required more coordination with Moroccan authorities due to the Covid-19 pandemic, pointing out their support.

He considered that the postponement of the Marathon des sables for two consecutive years did not affect the enthusiasm of athletes to live the adventure and discovery.

The Marathon des sables is a marathon that lasts about six days, with a length of 251 km of an ultramarathon, which is the equivalent of six regular marathons. The longest stage was in 2009 with a length of 91 km.

This race is held on several days each year in the south of Morocco and is considered one of the most difficult races on foot on Earth.