Races

Marathon des Sables: Mandatory kit and equipment

This article is the third in a series based on the Marathon des Sables, a gruelling ultra-distance challenge, often described as the toughest footrace in the world.

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Check out the other articles here: Part 1: Marathon Des Sables: The Toughest Footrace in the World? , Part 2: Insights from Samir Mouffok's MDS preparation and Part 4: Part 4: Throughout the stages with Samir Mouffok

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Photo credit: A.Deroeux

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The main feature of this race is that participants must be entirely self-sufficient and carry all their own equipment, food and gear for the duration of the race.

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Please find below the full list of equipment required to take part in the Marathon des Sables:

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ㅤ• Cap: ideally, it should be a cap that covers the back of the neck and the ears.

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ㅤ• Sun protection: sunglasses, sun cream and a wide-brimmed hat to protect yourself from the intense desert sun.

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ㅤ• Tops and shorts: lightweight, breathable tops for desert conditions, short-sleeved tops but also long-sleeved tops for nights when it tends to be cool.

The Salomon brand offers a wide range of short and long-sleeved tops and lightweight, breathable shorts, perfect for the extremely arid conditions of the desert.

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 ㅤ• Backpack: a lightweight, hard-wearing backpack is needed to carry all your equipment and supplies. Our ambassador and athlete Samir Mouffok has chosen a Salomon backpack, which is lightweight and ideal for running.

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 ㅤ•  Sleeping bag: a lightweight sleeping bag adapted to desert conditions. It needs to provide enough warmth on cold nights (approximately 9 degrees) while being compact enough to fit in your rucksack. OMM sleeping bags are ideal for these conditions.

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Our ambassador Samir gives us his thoughts: ‘I took this sleeping bag with me for the 8 days in the middle of the desert during the Marathon des Sables. It's thin and very compact, which is very practical for transporting. I was impressed by the insulation of this duvet. At night in the desert, the temperatures are low, but with this duvet you stay nice and warm! It's the perfect duvet for this type of adventure! '

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 ㅤ• Survival blanket: reflective survival blanket offering extra warmth and protection from the weather.

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 ㅤ• Headlamp or torch: a headlamp or torch with spare batteries so that you can find your way around in the dark. The use of this lamp will be very useful at the start of the stages very early in the morning.

Our ambassador Samir gave us some feedback (see photo below in action): ‘I was in the middle of the desert for the Marathon des Sables, in pitch black darkness, but with this Petzl torch I could see just as well as in broad daylight! The luminosity is impressive, with everything lit up for several meters. Another interesting thing about the light is that you can turn it on and put it in its white carry bag. We then attached it to the top of the pole in our tent, which gave us a chandelier that lit up the whole tent! It really is the best lamp for trails and excursions in the great outdoors!'

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 ㅤ• Mirror: a small mirror for signals and emergencies.

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 ㅤ• Lighter : waterproof matches or a lighter for lighting fires.

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 ㅤ• Food: all participants must carry a minimum of 2,000 calories per day in the form of ready-to-eat food. These are usually energy bars, freeze-dried meals, nuts and other high-calorie snacks.

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 ㅤ• Water: each participant must take a minimum of 1.5 litres of water with them at the start of each stage. There will also be water distribution checkpoints along the route to allow participants to replenish their water supplies.

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 ㅤ• Meal preparation equipment: a portable stove and cooking utensils to prepare hot meals, although this is optional as most participants opt for ready-to-eat food.

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But also :

 ㅤ• 10 safety pins

 ㅤ• Compass, with an accuracy of 1° or 2°

 ㅤ• Whistle

 ㅤ• Knife with a metal blade

 ㅤ• Topical disinfectant

 ㅤ• Anti-venom pump

  ㅤ• Aluminium survival sheet

 ㅤ• 200 euros in cash

 ㅤ• Passport or ID card

 ㅤ• Original medical certificate provided by the AOI, completed and signed by the doctor

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These are the essential items of equipment for taking part in the Marathon des Sables. It is imperative to prepare your luggage rationally and optimally in order to minimize weight while ensuring that you have all the reserves required to stay safe and feel comfortable throughout the race.

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Now it's time to get training for next year!

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Click here to stay updated on Samir Mouffok's journey and receive further insights into his training techniques, follow him on Instagram. We extend our gratitude to Samir for sharing his experiences and answering our questions. For more information on his performance in the Marathon des Sables and to explore recommended products like Maurten nutrition, visit our Hub.

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SportsShoes is committed to organising the most exciting and unique races, whether it's on the track, road or trail. Keen to find out more? Then check out our Races category for more information about events, latest news and results. Because it's no fun standing still.