3 days ago
2026 Marathon des Sables: Registrations Open for ‘the Hardest Foot Race on Earth'
Registrations opened on June 11 for what has been dubbed 'the hardest foot race on earth,' a grueling 250km ultra-marathon through Morocco's Sahara desert. The Marathon des Sables (MDS) Legendary event is a 6-stage ultra-marathon race, with competitors racing 20 to 80km each day across the harsh desert terrain.
The MDS Legendary race is a 11 day event, with 9 days in the Sahara desert and 6 days of racing. Competitors may run or walk the race, each trying to get to the end to claim the title of 'legend.' MDS is conducted in self-sufficiency, requiring competitors to carry their gear and food, while water and tents are supplied by the organisation.
The race occurs in April where temperatures in the desert often fall between 15 to 30 degrees celsius. Racing through the desert across the sand dunes and rocky paths, contestants of the MDS Legendary are battling more than just intense heat, with wind, sandstorms and rain occasionally breaking up the monotony of the clear blue skies.
This year celebrates the 40th edition of the classic MDS in the Sahara desert. The race will take place between April 3-13, 2026, with registrations for the event opening on June 11.
MDS Legendary brings together participants from all corners of the globe, from seasoned runners, to your everyday adventure junkie.
Past competitors have described the mood at camp as jovial and full of camaraderie. Everybody is out there to achieve something great, running for themself, a family member or a charity. Each day is a new chance to push the boundaries of what the human body can do.
Past edition of MDS
The2025 MDS Legendary saw approximately 1200 competitors and a 95% completion rate. This is higher than prior years, likely due to changes in the way the race is managed like the introduction of stock cubes for rehydration, cold water for cooling, and the elimination of water rationing at checkpoints throughout the race.
Rachid El Morabity was the fastest male competitor, securing his 11th title in the time of 20:55:47. Meanwhile, Maryline Nakache reclaimed her 2023 crown as the fastest female, in a time of 23:57:20. The fastest competitors averaged overall speeds just over 12km per hour. This is incredibly speedy to have traversed 250km through the dunes of the desert, and the races are only getting more competitive.
MDS advises that the average speed of the racers is 5.5km per hour, with a minimum cut off time of 3.5km per hour. In 2025, the slowest competitors took about 75 hours, covering closer to 3.3km per hour.
While plenty of athletes return each year to race this grueling ultra-marathon, many others are there to undertake an adventure of their lifetime.
One 2025 competitor said that ever since she had discovered the MDS, she had been determined to complete it. Another was racing her 15th MDS all while battling cancer. Others claim to be running for their partners and their children. Every competitor has their own motivations and their own story.
While running an ultra-marathon across the Sahara desert is undeniably hard and painful, each competitor is proud to have achieved something amazing, with many claiming it is the 'adventure of a lifetime.'
The number of runners enrolling in marathon and ultra-marathon events has increased exponentially over the past 20 years, following the increased visibility of marathons and ultra-marathons in media around the world. With more and more competitors each year, registrations for MDS and other running races are becoming more competitive.
