Event Overview
| Date | Oct 31 - Nov 7, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Location | Wadi Rum, Jordan |
| Format | Stage Race |
| Terrain | Desert |
| Region | Asia |
| Distance / duration | 70 km, 100 km, or 120 km over 3 stages |
| Edition note | The 6th edition runs October 31 to November 7, 2026, with stages on November 2, 3 and 5 and a rest day on November 4. On October 20 the organizer’s page marked both Hilton packages (€2,700) as completed; the Crowne Plaza package (€2,550) carried no such label. Refunds ended on August 9 and deferrals on September 20, 2026. In a September 8 update the organizer said recent low-cost airline cancellations to Jordan were commercial decisions, and that the Jordan Tourism Board had confirmed normal conditions for visitors. LiveTrail had no 2026 page yet on October 20. |
| Elevation gain | Not published before the road book. LiveTrail listed 2,542 m+ for the 113 km course in 2025, 2,306 m+ for 93 km and 2,092 m+ for 73 km. |
| Cutoff | Maximum times for each stage and checkpoint closing times are set in the road book handed out at the technical checks. The organizer’s MDS 120 format page gives a minimum speed of 3.5 km/h and an average participant speed of 5.5 km/h. Exceeding a stage’s maximum time or missing a checkpoint cutoff means disqualification. |
| Start | Stage 1 on Monday, November 2, 2026, after a transfer from the hotel; start times are given in the road book. In 2025 the first stage started at 10:24 AM. |
| Field size | Places are limited because the race runs in a protected area where the government caps numbers; no figure is published. LiveTrail’s 2025 rankings list 545 finishers: 261 on the longest course, 150 at 100 km and 134 at 70 km. |
| Highlights | Wadi Rum and Petra, Food Self-Sufficiency |
MDS Jordan winners on the longest course
First man and first woman on the longest course at each Jordan edition of the three-stage format, with the number of finishers on that course.
| Edition | Longest course | Men | Women | Finishers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 2025 | 120 km billed (113 km on LiveTrail) | Salameh Al-Aqra, 11:26:59 | Olga Maas, 14:03:11 | 261 |
| November 2024 | 110 km | Rachid El Morabity, 9:38:38 | Sylvaine Cussot, 13:41:47 | 249 |
| May 2024 | 110 km | Salameh Al-Aqra, 10:34:12 | Maigualida Ojeda Perez, 15:54:56 | 55 |
| November 2023 | 110 km | Rachid El Morabity, 10:31:14 | Janina Beck, 15:57:26 | 205 |
| November 2022 | 110 km | Rachid El Morabity, 9:43:53 | Stina Dannerfjord, 14:28:12 | 151 |
2022 to 2024 come from DUV, which lists only the longest course under the name Half Marathon des Sables Jordan. 2025 comes from the official LiveTrail ranking, and DUV gives the same winners, times and finisher count.
Sources: LiveTrail: Marathon des Sables Jordan 2025; DUV: Half Marathon des Sables Jordan event history.
Course & Terrain
Three marked desert stages in Wadi Rum with total distances of 70, 100 or 120 km. The bivouac stays in the same place for the whole race. Stage 2 is the long stage and the one where the three distances differ.
Key course features to know before comparing this race:
- Wadi Rum canyons, arches and red sand
- Visit to Petra after the final stage
- Two hotel nights on the Dead Sea before and after the race
The regulations describe a varied landscape and say the distances are indicative and may be reduced to suit the terrain and climbing. The route stays secret until the road book is handed out. The course is marked about every 50 to 100 m, with reflective markers for the night. In a sandstorm with no visibility, runners must stop on the course and wait for the marshals.
The regulations give theoretical November averages of 24°C by day and 8°C at night. Headlamps must be switched on at nightfall on the long second stage.
Entry & Logistics
| Registration and fees | Check the official event website for current availability, deadlines, prices, taxes, and refund terms. |
|---|---|
| Qualification | No qualifying race. Entrants must be over 18 and present the organizer’s medical certificate, signed by a doctor less than 90 days before the start, at the checks on November 1 (the French PPS certificate is not accepted). Entry is online in order of registration, with a waiting list once the edition is full. Teams of at least three get a team ranking. |
| Support model | Water only: refills at two to five checkpoints per stage, roughly every 8 to 12 km, and 5 liters at each stage finish to last the night and the first 10 km of the next stage. The bivouac has individual tents in clusters of six, toilets, shaded communal areas and a medical tent. A medical team covers the course, but minor injuries such as blisters are not treated during the stages; foot-care self-help sessions run at the bivouac under medical supervision. Each runner carries a GPS beacon with an alarm button. |
| Crew / pacers | None. Outside assistance is forbidden, refueling brings a penalty of at least 3 hours or exclusion, and no accompanying persons are accepted at the event. |
| Drop bags | None during the race. A larger suitcase can be left at the hotel and collected after the race. |
| Logistics note | Fly into Queen Alia Airport in Amman. Transfers to the Dead Sea hotels, about one hour, run on the official arrival and departure days; otherwise the organizer quotes about USD 120 for a shuttle for 6 to 7 people or about USD 70 for a taxi. The organizer lists a tourist visa on arrival (40 JOD, about €50) and a passport valid for six months, and it covers the Petra entry. The €2,550 Crowne Plaza package (€2,700 at the Hilton) includes transfers, four hotel nights, three bivouac nights, water, the Petra visit, the finisher medal and the gala dinner. Technical and medical checks are at the hotel on Sunday, November 1. |
Why This Race Matters
MDS 120 Jordan is the Wadi Rum edition of the three-stage format run by What An Adventure (WAA), the company behind the Marathon des Sables. The 2026 regulations call it the 6th Marathon des Sables Jordan. DUV lists the earlier editions as the Half Marathon des Sables Jordan: November 2022, November 2023, May 2024, November 2024 and November 2025. The MDS had raced in Jordan once before, with the Desert Cup, a non-stop run of about 168 km from Petra to Wadi Rum held from 2001 to 2003. Entrants choose 70, 100 or 120 km. The first and last stages are about 25 to 30 km, and the second stage is 20, 40 or 60 km. Everyone carries their own food for four days in the desert, and the organization supplies only water. In November 2025 LiveTrail listed 545 finishers: 261 on the longest course, measured at 113 km, 150 at 100 km (93 km) and 134 at 70 km (73 km). Salameh Al-Aqra won the longest course in 11:26:59 and Olga Maas was the first woman in 14:03:11.
Historical benchmark notes in the directory record (verify current records with the linked official sources):
- 2025 winners on the longest course (billed 120 km, 113 km on LiveTrail): Salameh Al-Aqra, 11:26:59; Olga Maas, 14:03:11, 4:47 ahead of Laurence Klein.
- 2025 winners at 100 km (93 km): Nicolas Duplaa, 10:21:34; Emilie Trombert, 12:25:05. At 70 km (73 km): Maximilien Vivier, 10:39:13; Charlotte Gautho, 13:44:28.
- Most wins on the longest course: Rachid El Morabity, three (November 2022, November 2023 and November 2024), per DUV.
- Routes and measured distances change each year, so winning times are not directly comparable.
Preparing for a Race Like MDS 120 Jordan
The stage race guide covers the format as a whole. These guides go deeper:
- Stage race packing list: Mandatory kit, daily carry, camp bags, food and foot care.
- Walking strategy for ultramarathons: When and how to walk by terrain, effort and cutoffs.
- Hydration and sodium for ultramarathons: Fluid, sodium, thirst, sweat rate and hyponatremia risk.
- Blister prevention: Socks, taping, lubrication, shoe fit and hot spots.
Best Fit
- First-time desert stage racers
- Walkers who want a timed race with generous cutoffs
- Runners who want to combine a race with Petra and the Dead Sea
Planning Notes
- Study the mandatory gear list early and rehearse carrying the exact pack weight you expect to use on race day.
- Heat, sun, and dry air require event-specific preparation. Test sun protection and cooling, drink in response to thirst, and remember that sodium cannot make overdrinking safe.
- The directory marks this as having comparatively simpler logistics. That editorial label is not a safety rating; verify cutoffs, terrain, support, crew access, and withdrawal procedures.
- Food for four days, about 10 to 12 meals, goes in your pack
- Gas stoves are banned
- Being unable to show your race meals at a check costs a 2-hour penalty
- Minor injuries such as blisters are not treated during the stages
- No refunds after August 9 and no deferrals after September 20, 2026
Event FAQs
When is MDS Jordan 2026?
MDS 120 Jordan runs October 31 to November 7, 2026. Runners arrive at the Dead Sea hotels on October 31, the checks are on November 1, the stages are on November 2, 3 and 5 with a rest day on November 4, and the gala dinner is on November 6.
How long is the Marathon des Sables Jordan?
Entrants choose 70, 100 or 120 km over three stages. Stages 1 and 3 are about 25 to 30 km, and stage 2 is 20, 40 or 60 km. The organizer says the distances are indicative and may be reduced to suit the terrain. In 2025 LiveTrail measured the three courses at 73, 93 and 113 km.
What do you carry at MDS Jordan?
All your food for four days, about 10 to 12 meals, with at least 2,000 kcal per race day recommended, plus the mandatory kit: a 20-liter pack such as the WAA Ultrabag, 1.5 liters of water capacity, sleeping bag, headlamp with spare batteries, safety pins, lighter, whistle, metal-blade knife, antiseptic, signal mirror, survival blanket, sunglasses, sun cream, eight bouillon cubes, €100 in cash, your passport and the medical certificate. The organization supplies water only.
How much does MDS 120 Jordan cost?
The 2026 Crowne Plaza package costs €2,550 per person (it started at €2,450 in September 2025), and the two Hilton packages cost €2,700. The price includes airport and desert transfers, four hotel nights at the Dead Sea, three nights at the bivouac, the Petra visit, the medal and the gala dinner. Flights are extra.
Who won MDS Jordan in 2025?
Salameh Al-Aqra won the longest course, measured at 113 km, in 11:26:59, and Olga Maas was the first woman in 14:03:11. Nicolas Duplaa and Emilie Trombert won the 100 km, and Maximilien Vivier and Charlotte Gautho won the 70 km.
When is MDS 120 Jordan 2027?
The 7th edition is listed for October 30 to November 6, 2027, with the same 70, 100 or 120 km options. The organizer’s page says registration opens on November 18 at 12:00 PM (UTC+2).
What has the organizer said about travel to Jordan?
In an update dated September 8, 2026, the organizer said recent low-cost airline cancellations to Jordan were commercial decisions unrelated to the situation in the Middle East, and it published a letter from the Jordan Tourism Board saying conditions for visitors remain normal.
Related Preparation
- Compare this race in the full 2026 calendar
- Browse the multiday stage-race calendar
- Open the Stage Race format guide
- Compare all race formats
- Use the timed-race pace calculator
- Plan checkpoint arrivals and cutoff buffers
- Build a crew and drop-bag plan
- Build a race-specific gear checklist
Verification & Sources
Verification scope: the listed edition's date, location, format, and available logistics were checked against the event-specific official sources below during the directory review dated October 20, 2026. Organizers can revise details after review.
- Official MDS 120 Jordan 2026 page — https://marathondessables.com/en/event/mds-120-jordan-2026
- Official MDS Jordan November 2026 regulations — https://registration.marathondessables.com/regulations-jordan-november-2026
- Official Jordan destination page: entry requirements and place limits — https://marathondessables.com/en/destination/jordan
- Official MDS 120 format page: minimum speed — https://marathondessables.com/en/format/mds-120
- Official MDS history: Desert Cup in Jordan and MDS 120 expansion — https://marathondessables.com/en/history
- Official MDS 120 Jordan 2027 page — https://marathondessables.com/en/event/mds-120-jordan-2027
- LiveTrail 2025 results — https://mdsjordan.v3.livetrail.net/en/2025
- DUV: Half Marathon des Sables Jordan event history — https://statistik.d-u-v.org/eventdetail.php?event=120596
- Multiday Running event directory review scope: October 20, 2026.