Race planning

Plan Marathon des Sables

Use the listed edition as your starting point. Each tool keeps imported race facts separate from the targets and assumptions you choose.

This is a past edition. These details are for reference; confirm a future edition before making a plan.

Edition notes: This record covers the 40th edition, April 3–13, 2026, whose first stage started on April 5. The 41st edition runs April 2–12, 2027; on October 20, 2026 the organizer listed both 2027 packages as sold out and offered a waiting list. The organizer now markets the race as the MDS Legendary. The 2026 regulations name Atlantide Organisation Internationale (AOI) as organizer, and the 2027 regulations name What An Adventure (WAA).

Listed edition

Apr 3, 2026 – Apr 13, 2026

Format

Stage Race

Distance

About 250 km over 6 stages (about 270 km in 2026)

Local start time

7:00 AM Sunday for stage 1 in 2026 (April 5), per LiveTrail; in 2025 stage 1 started at 7:30 AM on Sunday, April 6. The 2027 program puts stage 1 on Sunday, April 4.

Duration / cutoff

The organizer sets cutoffs at 3.5 km/h. The 2027 regulations give ordinary stages a maximum time of about 10 hours and set the long stage’s time limit and checkpoint cutoffs in the road book. The 2026 regulations described a 65–90 km long stage with a 32-hour limit; in 2026 the 100 km long stage ran over about 40 hours. Runners must leave each checkpoint before it closes or are disqualified.

Crew and pacers

None. All outside help is banned, including food, water, carrying gear and using a phone to get assistance or race information. Sharing water needs an official’s approval. Personal GPS watches are allowed, but the organizer provides no charging.

Drop bags

None during the race. A suitcase left at the technical checks is returned after the finish.

Recorded facts reviewed Oct 20, 2026. Check the organizer’s latest rules. Calendar downloads use all-day dates and do not set a starting alarm.