Ouarzazate, Sahara, Morocco · Friday, April 2, 2027

Stage Race Stage race

Marathon des Sables

146 days away
250 km Distance
800 m Climbing
10.0 Grit · Elite / extreme
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30.9189° N, 6.8934° W© OpenFreeMap © OpenMapTiles Data from OpenStreetMap

What the course asks

Climbing rate 3 m / km Fast & Flat. This course is relatively flat and fast. Ideal for PB attempts.
Field size ~1,350 Very large. Congested start, busy aid stations.

DUV results for the 2026 edition (270km/6stages) — finishers only. Starters are not published, so the field was at least this big and no finish rate can be given.

Typical conditions, April

Daytime high 23°C
Night low 7°C
Rainfall Dry — rain unlikely
Daylight 12 h 30 m of light

Regional 2001-2020 average for April — NASA POWER, grid elevation 1557 m. Not a forecast.

The Aid Station

Course-specific beta from the community

⛰️ terrain

This is a fast & flat course. Expect fast, runnable sections where rhythm is key.

By UltraHub Expert
👟 gear

With desert terrain, choose a shoe with moderate cushioning for optimal performance.

By UltraHub Expert
🥤 nutrition

For 100km+ efforts, prioritize real food at aid stations to prevent palate fatigue.

By UltraHub Expert

Gear for this race

Chosen for 250 km of desert with 800 m of ascent.

  • Trail Running Shoes250 km of desert — cushioning that is still there in the last quarter.
  • Race NutritionPast 250 km the palate quits before the legs do — carry more than one flavour.
  • Hydration VestsFlask capacity for 250 km, without the bounce.
  • Headlamps250 km almost certainly means running into the night.
  • AccessoriesChafe and blisters end more 250 km races than fitness does.

Salomon

Aero Glide 4 Grvl

$159.95 ★★★★★ 4.5

Salomon

Ultra Glide 4

$159.95 ★★★★★ 4.6

Maurten

Gel 100

Hydrogel technology for 25g carbs per gel with minimal GI distress.

$3.5 ★★★★★ 4.7

Nathan

VaporKrar 12L

12L race vest co-designed with ultra champion Rob Krar, with insulated bladder pocket.

$170 ★★★★★ 4.6

Nitecore

UT32

Dual-beam trail running headlamp (1100 lumens) with spot and flood beams.

$100 ★★★★★ 4.5

Buff

CoolNet UV+ Multifunctional

UPF 50+ neck gaiter with cooling technology. Desert and sun essential.

$25 ★★★★★ 4.5
All gear guides →

About

A 6-day, 250km self-supported stage race through the Sahara Desert.

Highlights

  • Self-supported desert stage race
  • 6 days of racing
  • Saharan sand dunes

Course Notes

ca. 250 km in 6 Etappen innerhalb von 7 Tagen, davon eine Etappe mit ca. 70-80 km, ein Marathon. Jedes Jahr anderer Parcour, der erst mit Veranstaltungsbeginn bekannt gegeben wird. 2025: 32km ,40km, 33km, 82km, 42km, 21km

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