Offer includes bib for the MDS adventure, race registration and 2 nights' accommodation in a standard-quality hotel.
MDS LEGENDARY - 39TH EDITION
From April 04 to 14, 2025
THE CONCEPT
The MARATHON DES SABLES The Legendary is an extraordinary race and adventure that has been taking place in the southern Moroccan Sahara since 1986.
A sublime and mythical desert crossing, the program includes 11 days in Morocco, including 9 in the desert, a course of around 250 km spread over 6 stages, to be completed by running or walking.
Join the adventure with peace of mind, and benefit from free postponement insurance up to 7 days before the event, included in the registration fee.
DISCOVER WHAT AWAITS YOU
THE DISTANCES
The total distance to be covered is around 250 kilometers, in 6 stages - this distance may vary according to terrain and gradient.
As an example, here are the distances for the 2024 edition:
- Stage 1: 31.1 km
- Stage 2: 40.8 km
- Stage 3: 85.3 km (stage 3 takes place over 48 hours)
- Stage 4: 43.1 km
- Stage 5: 31.4 km
- Stage 6: 21.1 km
The exact route and distances are revealed in the road book which is handed to you in Morocco upon on arrival at the bivouac, the day before the race starts.
AN EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCE
THE PARTICIPANTS
The MARATHON DES SABLES The Legendary is an adventure open to all.
With 38 editions to its credit, more than 30,000 people have now embarked on the adventure.
On average, one edition represents:
- 60 nationalities represented
- Over 30% walkers
- Average age: 51
- 90% finishers
- Average pace: 5.2km/h
Time limits are set at 3km/h, enabling walkers to finish on time and at their own pace.
The offers
What is included in the offer:
- Race bib.
- Postponement insurance: Possibility of postponing participation in the next edition free of charge up to 7 days before the start (up to and including March 28, 2025 - 11:59pm UTC+1). Conditions available in the race regulations.
- 2 nights' accommodation in a double room with half board in Ouarzazate (classic or superior hotel, depending on the package chosen).
- Organization and medical supervision during the race.
- Water supplies during the race.
- Repatriation assistance.
- 8 nights' bivouac accommodation.
- Finisher's medal.
- 1 edition t-shirt.
THE ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME
Join the adventure with peace of mind
We have set up flexible cancellation and postponement conditions, so you can register with complete peace of mind.
Free postponement
If you have any doubts about your adventure, you can postpone your participation free of charge up to 7 days before departure.
Cancellation policy
Our conditions allow you to cancel free of charge until August 31, 2024.
Refund in the event of unforeseen circumstances
If the event is cancelled by the organizer, you will be refunded 100% of the amount paid within 60 days.
Discovering Morocco
Mysterious, bewitching and soothing, explore the Sahara Desert and its varied landscapes: mountainous relief, rocky terrain, dunes, wadis and dry lakes. The Sahara covers 8 million km², making it the world's largest hot desert.
A trip to the heart of the Sahara, far from any form of civilization, is a unique opportunity to refocus on the essentials.
NFOS MDS LEGENDARY 2025 – 39th EDITION
HOW TO GET THERE?
You'll meet in Ouarzazate on Friday morning, April 4, 2025, to join the organization and take transfers to the desert. Various meeting points will be available, so you can choose the one that suits you best. We'll let you know later, but don't worry, all the city's main sights are within easy reach.
To get to Morocco and Ouarzazate, you can arrive at various airports:
- Ouarzazate airport - Fly to Ouarzazate before the race and spend one or more nights in a hotel (at your own expense), then come to one of the meeting points on the morning of April 4. You must arrive no later than April 3.
- Marrakech airport - Shuttles will be organized on the morning of April 2 and 3, 2025, between Marrakech and Ouarzazate (5-hour journey).
Marrakech / Ouarzazate shuttle schedules on April 2 and 3:
- 07:00 am: From the center of Marrakech (meet at the Kenzi Rose Garden hotel).
- 10:00 am: From Marrakech airport.
- 12:00 pm: From Marrakech airport
You can either:
- Book a flight to Marrakech airport and, on arrival, take one of our shuttles directly to Ouarzazate.
- Spend one or more nights in Marrakech and take the 07:00 am shuttle bus from the center of Marrakech, on April 2 or 3, to Ouarzazate.
You'll need to book one or more nights at a hotel in Ouarzazate, depending on when you arrive.
These nights are to be booked on your own and at your own expense. Here's the contact details of our local travel agency partner who can help you with your reservations: ltstravel.maroc@gmail.com
The return journey at the end of the MDS follows the same logic.
If you wish, you can take advantage of the bus service between Ouarzazate and Marrakech. These buses will leave Ouarzazate at 06:00 am on April 14, so you'll need to book a return flight from Marrakech after 02:00 pm.
If you are taking a return flight from Ouarzazate, in this case you are free for the hotel-airport transfer, or you can book your flight at your convenience.
All this information will be available on your MDS account, once you have registered. You will receive full details of the timetable by e-mail once you have registered.
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.
Airline tickets with cancellation and change insurance are necessary, given the restrictions that may apply in some countries.
PROGRAM OF THE WEEK
Here's a typical week's program for MARATHON DES SABLES The Legendary.
Day 1: Arrival in Morocco, transfer by bus to the bivouac in the desert, installation and overnight stay in the bivouac.
Day 2: Day of technical, administrative and medical checks. Overnight in bivouac.
Day 3: First stage, overnight in bivouac.
Day 4: Second stage, overnight in bivouac.
Days 5 & 6: Third stage - “the long one” - lasting 2 days. Overnight in bivouac.
Day 7: Fourth stage, overnight in bivouac.
Day 8: Fifth stage, overnight in bivouac.
Day 9: Sixth stage, medal ceremony. Bus transfer to Ouarzazate, overnight in hotel with half-board accommodation.
Day 10: Free day in Ouarzazate, awards ceremony, gala evening. Overnight at hotel with half-board accommodation.
Day 11: End of adventure, transfer back to airport.
WHAT DO I TAKE WITH ME?
If this is your first MDS, you probably have a lot of questions. Once you've registered, we'll send you a full checklist of equipment, but here are the main things you'll need per person:
- Backpack + 2 water bottles (Ultrabag 20L)
- T-shirt + running shorts
- Trail shoes + anti-sand gaiters
- Cap and sunglasses
- Change: T-shirt + light shorts / long pants
- Windproof jacket for the evening and morning
- Comforter + mattress for the night
- Hygiene products (sun cream, soap, antiseptic, etc.)
- Toilet paper
- Food and cooking utensils (popote, lighter, fire pellet...)
You can take a large suitcase with more clothes, which you can leave at the technical checkpoints and return to after the MDS adventure.
Find the list of mandatory equipment by clicking here.
WATER & FOOD MANAGEMENT
The MARATHON DES SABLES The Legendary is self-sufficient in food. For the duration of the adventure, competitors must carry all their own equipment and food, except for water and tent, which are provided by the organization. Competitors are also self-sufficient in food from the moment they arrive at the bivouac on Day 1!
Along the route, checkpoints are set up every 10 km or so to ensure water supplies. These refreshment points are also used to rest and eat. Participants also receive a water ration on arrival at the bivouac, for the evening and morning.
FOOD
Food requirements from April 4 to 12 will be as follows:
- April 4th – Day 1: diner.
- April 5th to 11th – Day 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8: breakfast, lunch, diner.
- April 12th – Day 9: breakfast, lunch.
Each participant must have a minimum of 2,000 k/calories per race day, from April 6 to 12 inclusive. You'll need to select the foods that seem best suited to the effort involved, climatic conditions, transport and weight. More information in the race regulations.
More information in the race regulations.
PRICE
Rates of MARATHON DES SABLES The Legendary 2025 are as follows:
- Cassic offer: race registration with 2 nights in a standard quality hotel. €3.890 per person
- Superior offer: race registration with 2 nights at the high-end Berbère Palace Hotel. €4.290 per person
Both offers are available to everyone and do not vary based on country of residence.
INCLUDED ON THE REGISTRATION:
- Race bib.
- Postponement insurance: Option to postpone participation to the next edition up to 7 days before the start.
- 2 nights in a double room on a half-board basis in Ouarzazate (standard or superior hotel, depending on the chosen offer).
- Organizational and medical support during the race.
- Water stations during the race.
- Repatriation assistance.
- 8 nights at the bivouac.
- Finisher medal.
- 1 event t-shirt.
ULTRA-FLEXIBLE REGISTRATION TERMS
We have implemented flexible cancellation and rescheduling policies to allow you to register with peace of mind.
Here are the cancellation terms for MDS Legendary 2025:
- Cancellation is possible without any fees until August 31, 2024.
- September 1 to October 31, 2024, 25% of the total registration fee will be retained by the organization in case of cancellation.
- November 1 to December 31, 2024, 50% of the total registration fee will be retained by the organization in case of cancellation.
- After December 31, 2024, no refunds will be possible; however, it will still be possible to defer your registration according to the event’s conditions.
Postponement conditions:
Benefit from a free postponement insurance up to 7 days before the event, included in the registration (until March 28, 11:59 pm UTC+1).
SECURITY
During the race, you will be surrounded by medical and organizational teams from the start to the end of each stage.
The routes are marked with stakes every 50/100 meters, making it impossible to get lost.
You will all be equipped with a GPS tracker with an emergency button, allowing the organization to locate you at any time.
A medical tent is available at the bivouac where you can go at any time.
WHERE DO PARTICIPANTS STAY AFTER THE RACE?
Depending on the offer you choose, you have 2 options for the 2 nights following the race:
Option 1 – "Classic" Offer:
Participants are distributed across several hotels in Ouarzazate, all located within a 5-10 minutes’ walk from each other.
Option 2 – "Superior" Offer:
You will stay at the Berbère Palace located in the city center.
At the hotel, participants are assigned to double rooms with another person of the same gender and, where possible, who speaks the same language.
If you wish, you can specify the person with whom you would like to share the accommodation in advance of the race, through your registration account.
PAYMENT TERMS:
You can pay by:
- Credit card
- 1, 3, or 5 installments
The number of installments may vary depending on the registration date. Registration will be fully confirmed once the total amount of the registration fee has been paid.
REGULATION
ABOUT US
Since 1986, the MARATHON DES SABLES has traversed the most beautiful deserts in the world with several concepts: the MARATHON DES SABLES THE LEGENDARY (252 km in the Sahara Desert in Morocco), the MARATHON DES SABLES (70, 100, or 120 km over 3 stages), and the new 2024 addition, the MDS TREK (4 stages covering a total distance of up to 120 km), offering an adventure that is accessible while providing optimal comfort.
Testimonies from former participants
Equip yourself for the MDS
WAA Ultra has been developing specialized products for MDS participants since 2009.