Marathon des Sables

This multiday race is held every year in southern Morocco, in the Sahara Desert.

The marathon was the brainchild of French concert promoter Patrick Bauer who in 1984 traversed the Sahara desert on foot and alone.

[4][5][6][7] He covered 350 km (214 mi) in 12 days without encountering a single oasis or desert community along the way.

Twenty-three runners participated in the race with Bernard Gaudin and Christiane Plumere, both of France, finishing as the winning man and woman.

By 2009 over 1,000 runners participated in the event and the Solidarité Marathon des Sables association was created.

Racers winding their way up a large ridge
A competitor at Marathon des Sables, Morocco
The first British runners to complete the Marathon des Sables: Dr Mike Stroud OBE, Rene Nevola, Richard Cooper and Prof. Mike Lean
The camp in which competitors sleep at night
Lahcen Ahansal holds the record for most wins with 10.
Lahcen Ahansal - dressed in traditional clothing in this image - holds the record for most wins with 10.
Rachid El Morabity has won the marathon 9 times.