MDS 120 Morocco - The Challenge

Making progress – whether professionally, personally, or physically, requires setting goals, planning, and above all, ambition. It’s essential to challenge yourself and test your limits. With this in mind, I have booked my most ambitious running challenge so far, the MDS 120 Morocco.

The Marathon des Sables, also known as the “Marathon of the Sands” (MDS), began 39 years ago as a six-stage event spanning 250 kilometres across the Moroccan Sahara, now known as the “Legendary”. Since its launch, the race has become ever popular and many variations now exist in seven countries.

One of these variations of the Legendary is the MDS 120 Morocco, a 120-kilometre ultramarathon across the Moroccan Sahara. Just like the Legendary, participants run and walk the course, carrying all their supplies, with organisers providing a base camp tent and limited water each day. It is the MDS 120 Morocco event that I will be participating in during October 2026.

Booking my place was a big first step. It creates both focus and accountability, and it will guide my training over the months ahead. I now need to plan how to go from the runner I am today, to becoming someone who can complete the MDS 120 Morocco.

The event brings new challenges:

1. Multi-day events: running 25 km one day and 60 km the next.
2. New terrain: running on sand.
3. Heat: it’s the Sahara, it’s going to be hot.
4. Carrying kit: all food and provisions, estimated weight 6-8kg.
5. Managing food and hydration: knowing what to eat and drink when
6. Navigation: new environment and terrain.

Preparation begins 12 months in advance – not a huge amount of time. My key areas of research and focus will be:

1. Increase weekly distance (or time) and introduce back-to-back running days.
2. Understand my sweat rate and sodium level needs.
3. Plan heat acclimatisation training before (sauna suite) and ahead of the race (heat chamber).
4. Improve overall aerobic fitness.

I will select a charity to support as I embark on this epic journey.

Wish me luck!