From €1,750
As part of the 40th anniversary of the legendary Marathon des Sables, 2026 sees the debut of MDS Ultra, a radically demanding ultra-trail event set in the Moroccan Sahara. This non-stop endurance race pushes athletes to their limits with two distance options, 100 km or 100 miles (~160 km), to be completed in self-sufficiency over a maximum of 40 hours. Runners begin on a shared course and can choose their final distance around the 60 km split point. The Sahara route follows the traces of the iconic Marathon des Sables course and is fully waymarked. Water stations are spaced approximately every 10 km, and life bases offering rest, hot drinks and light food appear every ~30 km. With a minimum pace requirement and an overall time cap, the MDS Ultra blends strategic endurance with harsh desert beauty. Limited to around 200 participants, the format also introduces new rankings, including a Mixed Duo category where individual times are combined for team results, highlighting both personal achievement and community spirit in one of the world’s most extreme environments.
