Marathon des Sables

Marathon des Sables in the Moroccan Sahara

March / April 2012 (12 days, exact dates to be confirmed)

2009 to 2011 are all full! 2012 is the next event with definite places available.

Introduction

The iconic endurance race, dubbed "the toughest footrace on earth".

We started selling this in the UK in the early 1990's. The UK now sends the largest contingent to the MdS, places are demand so that our next available places are for 2012.

We have 220 places in the MdS, there will be approximately 700 competitors at the event.

Itinerary

Day 1: Fly from London to London to Ouarzazate on our chartered plane, transfer to a 4 star hotel. Dinner and breakfast included, the room is shared with another competitor
Day 2: After breakfast, a coach transfer to a location in the desert, typically 3-5 hours. Packed lunch on the coach. Your desert accommodation is in a tent with 8-10 other competitors, usually of the same nationality.
Day 3 - Registration and inspection: The day of queues. Your equipment will be checked and weighed to ensure compliance with the rules. Medical checks are carried out for safety purposes. A survival kit is handed out. Your first site of the road book that is your detailed guide to the course (prior to this the route is kept secret).
Days 4 - 6: The first three normal stages of the MdS, about 60 miles in total
Days 7 and 8: The long stage, around 50 miles, includes overnight with laser guides. Day 8 is a rest day for the faster runners while the competitors who take it more gently complete the stage.
Days 9 and 10: A marathon length stage followed by a short stage to the finish post. A coach transfer takes you back to a hotel in Ouarzazate.
Day 11: At your leisure in Ouarzazate
Day 12: Flight back to Gatwick

Equipment

14,000 Calories of food
Clothing
Ultra-marathon Runners Rucksack
Sleeping Bag
Anti-Venom Pump
Compass
Suncream
Sunglasses
Head Torch with spare battery
Disinfectant
Knife
Safety Pins
Signalling Mirror
Space blanket
Rehydration Sachets
Whistle

Price

Marathon des Sables 2012 Entry Fee: to be confirmed. In 2010 it was £2,850

Included in the price are:-

Flights and transfers London/Ouarzazate/Sahara and return
Three nights sharing a room, half-board at the hotel in Ouarzazate
Bottled drinking water during the race (limited according to the rules)
Accommodation in 8-10 person tents while on the Race route
Extensive race organisation team including full medical support and camp builders

Excluded are:-

Medical Check-ups
Full Travel Insurance
Food during the race
Drinks; lunch on your last night at the hotel
Personal items, Internet/Fax bills Hotel, room service, telephone calls etc.

click here to register for more details about the next entry into the MdS