38th MARATHON DES SABLES LEGENDARY: SETTING RECORDS

The 38th MARATHON DES SABLES Legendary is officially launched! Nearly 900 people from 60 countries gathered this April 12 in the heart of the South Moroccan Sahara. Their goal: a true odyssey of 252.8 km of running in the desert.

900 PARTICIPANTS

OUARZAZATE, the Gateway to the Desert, welcomed this Friday, April 12, some 900 participants who will compete in the 38th edition of the ultimate desert race: the MARATHON DES SABLES LEGENDARY. With 60 countries represented in the peloton, a new record has been reached. At the top of the most represented countries: France, Great Britain and the United States.

27% WOMEN

Another record: female participation, with 27% women in the peloton. Example with Christel HENON (D258-FRA) who came accompanied by her son Dylan (D257-FRA). Both have already completed the HMDS Fuerteventura in 2021: “After Fuerteventura, Dylan told me about the MDS Legendary, but I thought it would be too hard for me. He registered on his own last year but was injured playing rugby before the race and was unable to finish. I felt like he really wanted me to come. And we both signed up... He has the enthusiasm of youth, I have the wisdom..."

252.8 KM

And wisdom will be needed to complete the 252.8 km to be covered in 6 stages. This distance makes the 38th edition the longest since its creation in 1986. Joy and anxiety mingle at OUARZAZATE airport, and for good reason: around 80% of the participants are novices in the MARATHON DES SABLES, like Pierre MASSET ( D607-BEL): “I've been thinking about it for many years, and this year, that's it, I'm getting started. For any runner or adventure enthusiast, the MDS is a reference. You have to have done it at least once in your life. » A feeling shared by Tristan PENISTON-BIRD (D536-GBR): “A friend ran it twenty years ago, and I said to myself, one day, I will be there too. And it's my day. »