OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM THE RACE DIRECTOR

As promised in my recent video posted from the Moroccan desert, I'm sharing with you the latest official news to date.

Last 4 August, at the end of the morning, an important meeting was held in ERRACHIDIA with the high civil and military authorities of the Province. I was invited to participate together with Mathieu, my collaborator who manages the entire logistics of our caravan.

All the Moroccan officials of the departments concerned by the MDS—and there are many of them—gave us a warm and benevolent welcome. Each of them was able to describe with enthusiasm their respective commitments and missions and the renewal of their unfailing support to our Saharan event.

We examined all the important points in all the fields to validate a global schedule of conditions that will be respected by our organisation to ensure the good holding and perfect success of our event.

Naturally, all the health measures to be taken into account in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic were given special attention so that resolutions could be put in place before, during, and after the race.

Amongst these measures—which were collectively decided upon—it is very important to note that all participants, staff, providers, volunteers, and media will all have to be vaccinated, both to take their flights to Morocco—regardless of their country of origin—and to access the bivouac and take the start of the race.

With two months to go before the MDS, there is still time to make arrangements to meet these entry requirements. As for those who do not wish to comply with these resolutions, AOI will offer the opportunity to defer entry to the 36th edition next March, provided that the conditions are not the same as for this edition.

I would like to remind you that the borders of the Kingdom of Morocco are wide open to all those who would like to plan a trip, a family holiday, a weekend, or a seminar, only three hours by plane from the major European cities. I encourage you to do so because it's a fabulous country where the sun shines all year round. Local travel conditions are currently very good, provided you are vaccinated.

Good luck to each and every one of you for your training sessions! I look forward to seeing you in the heart of the Moroccan Sahara, but before that, we'll be in Chamonix during the last week of August for the Ultra-Trail© show where we will be happy to welcome you.

Thank you for your confidence.

See you soon!

The Race Director