DIFFICULT MAGNIFICIENT BRILLIANT

Difficult, extreme, formidable, magnificent, brilliant: superlatives abound to describe the 38th LEGENDARY MARATHON DES SABLES. Here are some testimonials.

Mohamed FANDI (D245-MAR)

"I'm Moroccan, it's my country, but I'm from Casablanca and now I live in Chicago, so I'd never been to the desert before. There's no better time than this. The organization is incredible."

Solenn REGNE (D463-FRA)

"It was the most difficult experience of my entire life, but when you get there, there's nothing more beautiful. I can't even believe it. It's going to take me a while to realize what's just happened. It's been a long time! I couldn't see the end coming. I couldn't even imagine the ark. And the last stretch where you've seen the ark for 10 years, and the further you go, the further back it goes. And suddenly there it is. I can't believe it. I really want to go all the way. I didn't go through all that just so I wouldn't get the medal.

Mohammed RAHMOUN (D6-MAR)

"It was difficult. The scenery was great. When we were over the mountains, we took a little time to enjoy it, it was magnificent. The organization was there at every checkpoint to help us, which was really great."

Jenna LADD (D208CAN)

"The top of the first mountain, it was really superb, a beautiful place. Thank you for this route!"

Christian HARDENBERG (D616-DEU)

"I arrived at about half past midnight. It was incredible, I loved it from start to finish. I walked most of the way. Sometimes I was all alone in the middle of the desert, the next runner 1 km ahead, the next 1 km behind. It was just me, the sky and the desert, and I really loved it."

Stéphanie TASSIN (D579-FRA)

"It was super beautiful, but in the afternoon from 3pm it was super hot. I had to walk. It's not worth the risk. I arrived around 10 pm. It was still super hot. On the last stretch, you can see the bivouac, but you never get there. But it was great! I love going downhill in the dunes!

Catherine QUENET (D757-FRA)

"I've passed the long stage, and when I think about what's left, I tell myself I'm going to make it. I'm 67, I'll probably never do something like this again. It's crazy to be here."

Marc STAMPFLER (D801-FRA)

"It's going wonderfully well. Of course it's pulling, but we're very happy. In the night, the sky was magical."