In April 2024 I will undertake my most challenging ultramarathon race to date. The Marathon des Sables (MdS) is a six-day, 250 km (160 mile) ultramarathon race held every year in the Sahara Desert, in southern Morocco.
It was the brainchild of French concert promoter Patrick Bauer. In 1984 he embarked on an epic solo trip across the Sahara Desert, on foot. He was fully self-sufficient, carried all his own equipment, and covered 350 km (214 miles) in 12 days.
The experience had a profound impact upon him; it was a journey of self-discovery that pushed him mentally, physically and spiritually. He decided to create a race that would inspire others to fulfil their potential; and so ‘The Marathon of the Sands’ was born. Patrick hoped that the race would be sustainable, leave no trace on the environment and benefit local people (the MdS supports many Saharan communities through its charity “MdS Solidarite”).
The first race was held in 1986 with only 23 competitors, fast forward to 2023 this number has grown to over 1,000. Since its inception, over 25,000 runners have competed in the race.
The MdS is regarded as one of the toughest foot races on Earth. The terrain is harsh and the heat intense; with frequent sandstorms and daily temperatures of up to 56 degrees celsius. Runners must carry all their equipment and food (communal bivouac’s, water and salt tablets are provided by the organisers) in a backpack that must weigh between 6.5kg and 15kg.
Minimalism is one of the keys to success; with every item carefully selected and weighed (as it’ll be on my back for 6 straight days). Phones, toothbrushes and soap are all considered non-essential items.
Careful and meticulous planning is required long before I step up to the start line. Prior to the race, all entrants must pass an Electrocardiogram (ECG) test, to ensure they are fit enough to compete. In 2023, 30% of the runners did not finish and three runners have died at the MdS, since it was first held.
So, who would willingly undertake such an extreme feat? As Noël Coward wrote “Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun.” Whether it’s taming your inner demon or pushing your body to its absolute limit, everyone has their ‘why’. My ‘why’ is a combination of the two.
Running helps me manage my mental health and I feel an intense sense of achievement when a race has gone to plan. The MdS has been a goal of mine for some time. It is regarded as one of the pinnacles of achievement within the ultramarathon running community.
The extreme nature and intense challenge of the MdS is both daunting and exciting. The brutal desert conditions test runners to breaking point. Some call it madness, others call it transformative. Overcoming the most challenging of circumstances can have a profound effect on oneself. Breakdowns lead to breakthroughs, be it mental, physical or spiritual.
Personally, to compete in such an iconic race alongside some of the best ultramarathon runners in the world will be life changing. Finishing the race is the ultimate goal but just being a part of it will be an experience in itself.
Running hasn’t always been a passion of mine. In fact, for the first 29 years of my life I actively avoided running. But, one morning changed everything. I woke up convinced I was having a heart attack; I was struggling to breathe and had heart palpitations. I went to the GP and was told rather than a heart attack, I had a panic attack. I was 240 pounds (108kg), depressed, drinking heavily, and working excessively. I was spiralling and something needed to change. It was a moment of introspection.
My lifestyle was in need of an overhaul and so I started jogging. At first, I could only jog a short distance and at a very slow pace. Then, gradually, the distances and ‘time-on-feet’ grew longer. I overcame the loud inner voices of “this is too painful” and “I am so unfit” to convince myself that running was quite enjoyable.
Since then, I haven’t stopped; I have run half marathons, 50 km, 60 km, 80 km and 100 km races. I’m in the best physical shape of my life, and stronger than ever (mentally and physically). Running clears my mind of any issues I may be having and allows me to intensely focus on something specific.
I typically run 4 or 5 times per week and I enjoy the structure that training brings to my day-to-day life. Running helps to organise my weekly activities, and keeps me disciplined. And although part of me prefers training over the race itself, I also like medals!
Competing in the more challenging of races means pushing myself and testing my limits. To achieve something so physically demanding is empowering and life affirming.
Yet, running requires patience and discipline. Improvements are measured over months or years, not days or weeks. It has taken time for my body to adjust to the demands I place on it. I have acquired knowledge on how to run more efficiently, how to schedule my training more productively and what type of nutrition I need (and when). My body has now built up a toughness and resilience that it never used to have.
Competing in races also means travelling to places that I would not otherwise have visited. It opens up new experiences and opportunities to meet people who share the same passion. Running can be as social as you like. You can buddy up, run with friends, join a running club or you can run on your own.
Is April 2024 the perfect time to run the MdS? Not particularly; my first child will be 7 weeks old when I undertake this challenge. I don’t think there’s ever an ideal time to run 250 km in the scorching desert heat. At the age of 37 my body isn’t getting any younger and I want to run the MdS whilst I still have a certain level of fitness. The threat of injury always looms at the back of every runner’s head and risks one’s ability to race not only in the MdS but in any event. ‘Carpe Diem’ or ‘seize the day’ seems both cringey but apt. If not now, then when? While I can, I will.
I would be most grateful if you would support this very worthy cause and my MdS journey. To donate please visit my JustGiving page here:
Chris runs ultras 
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