A rest day made all the difference for the participants of MDS Fuerteventura and stage 3 was eagerly anticipated.

An early departure from bivouac and then a bus transfer to the start at Sotavento Beach, ahead 26.3km with 587m+ to La Pared.

A beautiful day of sand and path passing through Jandia National Park and concluding with epic coastal cliffs and an ocean backdrop.

Today, was all about the medal gladly, all achieved there goal finishing before the cut-off time of 16.45, a huge success.

After the bad weather in 2022 and the missing 2023, MDS Fuerteventura is well and truly back!

In the 120km race, SANTANA FERNÁNDEZ was crowned the winner with an elapsed time of 9:36:35. FOULQUIÉ PADILLA and ROGER PÉREZ placed 2nd and 3rd, 9:40:37 and 9:48:15 respectively.

For the women, DEL RIO VALLES, BOLLENGIER and NACHARD placed 1, 2 and 3, 13:54:20, 14:47:42 and 15:47:08 respectively.

PÉREZ DE LA CRUZ 10:23:12 and MUJICA GONZÁLEZ 11:53:49 were the male and female winners of the 100km and RODRÍGUEZ MORENO 9:02:44 and MAHIQUES 8:47:49 were the male and female winners in the 70km class, with MAHIQUES the outright winner.

Full results are available HERE for 120km, HERE for the 100km and HERE for the 70km.

Now it is time for a shower, fresh clothes, a good dinner and bed with clean sheets. Tomorrow is a day of relaxation and then a gala dinner with awards ceremony.

Marathon des Sables website HERE

Since 1986, the MARATHON DES SABLES has crossed the world’s most stunning deserts with several unique concepts: the MARATHON DES SABLES THE LEGENDARY (252 km in the Sahara Desert in Morocco), the MARATHON DES SABLES (70, 100, or 120 km spread over 3 stages), and the new 2024 concept, the MDS TREK (4 stages with a total distance of up to 120 km), offering an accessible adventure with optimal comfort. These international events have seen over 50 editions in various countries such as Morocco, Fuerteventura Island, Peru, Jordan, Turkey, and offer adventures that combine running/hiking in the desert with tourism.

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Climbing up to Ovejas peakStage 1 was a challenging day for many, the 33.6km proving a tough start to the 2024 MDS Fuerteventura. On the positive side, there were no DNF’s.

Stage 2 is called ‘The Long Day’ as this is the day that for 100km and 120km will prove to be the longest of the race. However, the challenge can be as much mental as physical.

An early startChallenge 1.

After the start, almost immediately, the runner’s are given the option to to turn right and take on the 17.8kmm loop, 20 men and 63 women chose this. Alternatively, you can turn right and start the 40.5km loop. The remainder of the participants chose this.

Challenge 2.

At the end of the 40.5 km loop, you can turn right and run to the finish – 25 min and 41 women chose this.

Challenge 3.

For the brave, a left turn after the 40.5km loop provides the option to complete a final loop and the total long day distance of 56.7km – 75 men and 61 women chose this.

MUJICA GONZÁLEZToday’s route followed a figure of 8 shape for the 120km. The terrain mostly sandy and rocky path, the need for gaiters minimal.

Some wonderful small canyons to run throughThe day started at 0600 after a warm night under the stars. The winds had calmed but the sky was cloudy and it would remain that way until midday, when a sunny period provide some blue skies. Temperatures reached a high of 28 degrees and running conditions were good.

Time to grab the race by the hornsWith three race distance options, rankings would change considerably during stage 2, however, in the 120km distance, the main protagonists of SANTANA FERNÁNDEZ, ROGER PÉREZ and FOULQUIÉ PADILLA would remain the same. However, today it was FOULQUIÉ PADILLA who now takes the overall lead with an elapsed time of 7:31:21 closely followed by SANTANA FERNÁNDEZ in 7:32:11. ROGER PÉREZ remains in third.

For the women, stage 1 winner MUJICA GONZÁLEZ started the day slower but then moved up through the field and is now in the women’s overall lead with a time of 8:56:08. BOLLENGIER who was 2nd on stage 1 is now 4th on GC with DEMARQUILLY moving into 2nd 9:55:47 and DEL RIO VALLES 3rd with 10:49:47.

Big landscapeAll results for all distance are – Results here

When the sun came, the temperatures rose!Tomorrow, day 3 is a rest day. An opportunity to relax and recharge before the final day of 29.3km.

Marathon des Sables website HERE

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MUJICA GONZÁLEZ Stage 1 of the 2024 MDS Fuerteventura got underway today, 33.6km and 444m+

It was a 90-minute drive from Play Itas Resort to the northern coastal location of Manjanicho Beach.

A climb from the ocean to start the dayA day that offered a little of everything, starting and concluding next to the ocean, the track was mad up mostly of gravel/sand path, approximately 20% soft-sand and just a tiny amount of road crossings.

The unique landscape of FuerteventuraWind was present throughout the day, making the highest temperature of 28-degrees feel manageable.

Expansive landscapeWith 300 participants and record 58% women, the 6th edition of MDS Fuerteventura was highly anticipated.

Here for the women’s raceThe race upfront was dominated by Juan SANTANA FERNÁNDEZ, ROGER PÉREZ and FOULQUIÉ PADILLA, the trio setting an incredible pace in the 120km race, with SANTANA FERNÁNDEZ taking the victory ahead of ROGER PÉREZ and FOULQUIÉ PADILLA placing 3rd, 2:32:18, 2:33:48 and 2:34:15 respectively.

The lead trioFor the women, MUJICA GONZÁLEZ ran the race solo for a time trial effort and victory in 3:37:37. Behind, BOLLENGIER, and DEL RIO VALLES ran a close race for 2nd, the duo crossing in 3:52:50 and 3:53:10 respectively.

It is important to remember, MDS events offer 3-distances, 120km, 100km and 70km, stage 1 is the same for all races and then the difference comes on stage 2 when participants for MDS Fuerteventura will choose which loop to run, option 1 17.8km, option 2 40.5km and option 3 56.7km.

Volcano backdrops with 3rd place DEL RIO VALLESBivouac remains the same for each stage, the final stage (stage 3) the exception when the finish line brings an nd to the race and the participants return to Play Itas Resort.

With stage 1 being a longer first day, we may well see participants change options for stage 2, if they considered day 1 a little hard, they may well choose an easier option for stage 2, the choice is for them.

Stage 2 starts at 0600 and based on the distance chosen, the cut-off times for finishing will vary, midday for the short race, 1910 for the middle distance and for the long, 12:50am the following day.

Gladly for the participants, they will then have a rest day.

Results here

Marathon des Sables website HERE

Since 1986, the MARATHON DES SABLES has crossed the world’s most stunning deserts with several unique concepts: the MARATHON DES SABLES THE LEGENDARY (252 km in the Sahara Desert in Morocco), the MARATHON DES SABLES (70, 100, or 120 km spread over 3 stages), and the new 2024 concept, the MDS TREK (4 stages with a total distance of up to 120 km), offering an accessible adventure with optimal comfort. These international events have seen over 50 editions in various countries such as Morocco, Fuerteventura Island, Peru, Jordan, Turkey, and offer adventures that combine running/hiking in the desert with tourism.

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Photo ©lululemonThe internet came alive on September 23rd when Canadian Running Magazine published an article in regard to acclaimed ultra runner Camille Herron and accusations on tampering with Wikipedia content.

U.S. ultrarunner Camille Herron involved in Wikipedia controversy

Facebook, X and IG was full of opinion, stories and viewpoints on the matter and SoMe is and can be a very brutal place in instances like this. I said a the time:

What followed was the removal of all of Camille’s social platforms. Thinking back, this was probably a wise move to protect Camille from the onslaught that followed. Now of course, many may well say, that the onslaught was justified. However, a response and an attempt at clarification is welcome.

I went on to clarify:

“I have said this multiple times in the last 24hrs. Also important that her running ability is not in question. This is something darker, deeper and a mental health issue which requires understanding and help. The best scenario (I think) is to acknowledge, apologize and seek help. The ultra community I believe would support her. There is something very fragile here.”

– Ian Corless via X

From wikipediaBelow, CONOR HOLT provides an explanation:

Statement:

Hello from Greece- here for the Spartathlon 153 mile race scheduled for this Saturday.

Yesterday I received a notification about a published article by Canadian Running Magazine. The author said he reached out for comment before it was published. I found an email sent Sept 20 in my spam account yesterday after the article was published! I never got a chance to say anything to the Canadian Running website before they published it. Plus we have been traveling the last few days with limited access!

For the Wikipedia part, temporun73 was the original account I created in 2016 and use to edit the page. I manage this so Camille can focus on her running and recovery.

Starting in 2023 and continuing to this day, cyber bullies by the name of Steven Walling, Liliana Uwu, C.Fred, Melcous, and some more were repeatedly editing out significant parts of Camille’s life/ biographical details.

I kept adding back in the details, and then they blocked my account in early February of this year. Nothing was out of line with what other athletes have on their pages. Wikipedia allows the creation of another account, so I created a new account Rundbowie. I was going off what other athletes had on their pages using the username Rundbowie and copying/pasting this info.

Camille had nothing to do with this. I am 100% responsible and apologize for any athletes affected by this and the wrong I did.

I was only trying to protect Camille from the constant bullying, harassment and accusations she has endured in her running career, which has severely impacted her mental health. So much to the point that she has sought professional mental health help.

I also went ahead and deactivated all of Camille’s social platforms for the time being because of the vile comments she has received.

I appreciate you reaching out to me.

Conor Holt

from wikipediaUPDATE Thursday 26th September

On September 26, 2024 Lululemon ended its association with Herron in the wake of the Wikipedia controversy.

Camille Herron Wikipedia page HERE

27/09 Camille returned to Facebook and IG sharing the same post.

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It’s countdown time to the 2024 MDS Fuerteventura, the 6th edition taking place from September 28 to October 5th.

The MDS format is the perfect synergy of travel, adventure and luxury.

The 2024 edition, once again, uses the Playitas Resort Hotel as a pre and post-race hub for 4 nights: two nights pre and two nights post.

Three nights will be spent in bivouac in full self-sufficiency, the only provision provided is a tent in which to sleep and water. All other items the participant must carry, this includes all food and snacks for the duration of the event, clothes, sleeping bag, sleeping mat and any luxuries.

Participants will require:

Backpack + 2 water bottles (Ultrabag 20L type)
T-shirt + running shorts
Trail shoes + Anti-sand gaiters
Cap and sunglasses
Change: light T-shirt + light shorts / leggings
Windbreaker jacker for mornings and evenings
Sleeping bag + mattress for the night
Hygiene products (sunscreen, soap, antiseptic, etc.)
Toilet paper
Food and kitchen utensils (pots and pans, lighter, fire starter cube…)

Equipment available at WAA-ULTRA

©iancorlessFood requirements will be as follows:

Day 1: lunch, dinner. (Stage 1)
Day 2 and 3: breakfast, lunch, dinner. (Stage 2 and rest day)
Day 4: breakfast, lunch. (Stage 3)

If a participant requires power for phone, watch, mp3 player etc, they must provide this themselves in the form of a portable battery which they must carry.

Read MDS The Ultimate Guide – 2024 Edition for more insight and information.

The MDS format is the same for all events, MDS The Legendary and MDS Trek excluded.

The race will take place over 4-days and 3-stages, typically broken down as follows:

Day 1/ Stage 1 between 25 and 30km.
Day 2/ Stage 2 20, 40 or 60km – the participant chooses the appropriate distance.
Day 3 Rest day
Day 4/ Stage 3 between 25 and 30km.

The race is designed so that finishing is a possibility for all, regardless of ability or speed. Importantly, if a runner does not finish, they are provided a free race entry for the following year.

The last edition of the race took place in 2022 which turned out to be a considerable challenge due extreme and unprecedented weather. 2023 did not take place due to environmental rules. So, 2024 will be a special year for MDS Fuerteventura. Notably, 300 participants will toe the line of which, 58% are women. A fantastic statistic.

The Program for the week will be as follows:

Saturday September 28

Arrival of participants and relaxed night at Playitas Resort Hotel.

Sunday September 29

Technical and medical checks followed by relaxation at Playitas Resort Hotel.

Monday September 30

Stage 1 – overnight bivouac

Tuesday October 1

Stage 2 – overnight bivouac

Wednesday October 2

Rest day – overnight bivouac

Thursday October 3

Stage 3 – followed by relaxation at Playitas Resort Hotel.

Friday October 4

Tourism and rest day followed by evening Gala dinner.

Saturday October 5

Onward travel

Playitas Resort Hotel is one of the key sports hotels in Europe. Located in the southeast of Fuerteventura, it is the perfect hub for a sports minded person, there is a gym, yoga, indoor cycling, CrossFit, pools and so much more available.

MDS Fuerteventura is closely followed by MDS Morocco, October 12-19, MDS Trek, October 20-29 and MDS Jordan, November 2-9.

2025 that are already open for entry are as follows: MDS Morocco Atlantic Coast, January 25 to February 1, MDS THE LEGENDARY, April 4-14, MDS Jordan, May 9-16, MDS Cappadocia, June 21-28 and MDS Jordan, November 1-8.

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©iancorlessThe Hoka Speedgoat needs no introduction, it is arguably, the best selling trail shoe throughout the world. It’s much loved and universally proclaimed as a great trail running shoe.

I personally was late to the Speedgoat party with version 4, followed by version 5 and now version 6. The Speedgoat 5 reached a critical point for Hoka with very mixed reviews:

There were concerns about the midsole compressing and lacking durability,
The upper had less durability.
The fit and size for some was off.
The outsole was wearing too quickly.

I personally enjoyed the Speedgoat 5. I found the combination of features absolutely fine, the upper fine which was flexible and allowed for a good fit, I did need to lock lace though. The outsole ideal and importantly, the stack height a more reasonable 33/29 which offered good stability with a 4mm drop.

©iancorlessMost certainly, Hoka listened to the feedback. They had to if they wanted to retain the loyal fan base, especially with many other brands releasing shoes that could not only provide competition, but even beat the Speedgoat, the Merrell Agility Peak 5 a prime example.

With the release of the Speedgoat 6, the shoe very quickly received universal acclaim with quotes such as, ‘The King is Back!’ And, ‘Speedgoat is still the GOAT.’

What is new?

Cushioning is new CMEVA foam with increase stack, 40mm at the rear and 35mm at the front and 5mm drop, 38/33 for women).
The cushioning is lighter and more responsive.
The outsole is Vibram Megagrip Traction lugs with 5mm depth and new orientation.
A new more durable upper that is Matryx like with no stretch and with an inner cage.

Hoka say, “We’re offering an updated underfoot experience that provides a more responsive ride with less weight. You’ll find updates to the overall construction, including a breathable woven upper, lighter, more responsive midsole compound, internal chassis, dynamic vamp, and plusher, dual-gusset tongue.”

With neutral stability, balanced cushioning all built around a wide footprint, the Speedgoat 6 is a great trail all-rounder. It is designed to provide protective cushion while maintaining a responsive toe-off for when you want to go faster.

©iancorlessIf you place a 5 and a 6 next to each other, they are noticeably different.

The toe box is a different shape with different protection.
The lacing is different and comes down lower on the 5.
The heel area is different.

IN USE

©iancorlessI personally found a considerable difference when putting on the 6 and lacing them up. I immediately preferred the feel of the 5. I lock-laced (as I do on the 5) and the fit/ feel improved.

The lacing does not go as low down the shoe on the 6 and this made me feel less secure at the front, probably not helped due to the fact that the 6 has been given extra width over the 5.

©iancorlessThe cushioning is without doubt stiffer and firmer in the 6. The 5 feels bouncy and plush but not squidgy. The 6 almost feels hard by comparison, somewhat unexpected when you consider the extra stack height.

©iancorlessI have to say, my first run I was not loving the shoe. I was constantly thinking, give me the 5 back. However, with 10km in the shoe, the 6 started to feel more at home on my feet and as the km’s passed, that improved. So, I would certainly say although they are good to go straight out of the box, a good run or couple of runs will help them. Ultimately, there is no special life here. They are solid, reliable, good for the long haul, but there is a lack of excitement, especially if you compare to the Merrell Agility Peak 5 and the VJ MAXx2.

©iancorlessThere is more structure and hold coming from the new internal support chassis, this is without doubt required with the extra stack. I never had a real issue in the 5 unless on very technical terrain, but here in the 6, the 40/35 cushioning is notably different. Currently, my favourite Hoka is the Tecton X3 which has the same level of stack height as the Speedgoat 6, but for me, has considerably better feel. It’s not that I don’t like the 6, there just doesn’t feel anything special going on and ironically, I prefer the feel of the Speedgoat 5 which is counter to what Hoka say I should feel and also counter to the general Speedgoat feedback from all the fans.

The tongue of the Speedgoat 5 and 6 is not long enough making lacing and particularly lock-lacing an awkward affair and not always comfortable. This really needs addressing.

©iancorlessThe outsole with 5mm lugs is solid on most trails. With a new configurtation and the Traction lug, it works well. There ic a comprise with a great deal of mud and I am still never confident on wet rock.

CONCLUSION

©iancorlessThe Speedgoat 6 is a solid trail shoe that will only continue to confirm the shoes legendary status within the trail world. Speedgoat lovers will continue to love this shoe. But, if you are new to Speedgoat and comparing against other like-for-like shoes, would the Speedgoat win out?

For me no. However, it does depend on what shoes you are comparing the Speedgoat with… If it was the adidas Terrex Agravic Speed, the Hoka Speedgoat 6 is a clear winner. However, comparing against a Merrell Agility Peak 5 or a VJ MAXx2, then, for me, I would choose the Merrell for trail runs and the VJ for mountain and technical runs.

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Terrex Agravic Speed ©iancorlessThe adidas Terrex Agravic Speed is the little brother of the super shoe, adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra.

The shoes look similar when seen side-by-side but there are very obvious differences: less cushioning, not plate, less rocker and in my opinion, I love the black colorway with Terrex in bold white, a hint of orange provides some colour excitement.

©iancorlessMuch of the big brother shoe is present, seamless overlays, Lightstrike and Lightsrike Pro cushioning and a Continental outsole.

©iancorlessThe cushioning is notably different with 30mm at the rear and 22mm at the front with the same drop of 8mm.

©iancorlessThe adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra is a super shoe that runs fast on slick trails and is a beast for those looking for speed and the fitness to maximise the super shoe potential.

This Terrex Agravic Speed is a shoe for all and in all honesty, is a much better choice for most people looking for a trail shoe, whereas, by contrast, the Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra is only for a select few.

Too narrow in the middle and rear ©iancorlessDespite the lower stack height, the shoe still suffers terrible stability issues on technical trail. I was really hoping that this would be less of an issue, and in all fairness, in comparison to the big brother, it is more stable, however, it is nowhere near stable enough. It’s only just a trail shoe, select the trails you run on carefully is my advice. There is a rocker, but it is nowhere near as pronounced as the Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra and the need to forefoot strike is less.

©iancorlessLight with a neutral fit, the upper is almost see through and very breathable. The toe box is wide and allows good toe splay. The heel area is minimal and while comfortable for me, it’s an area to be wary of. Sizing is again frustrating, you need to try them on! A gusseted tongue gives a lovely foot hold and reassurance.

©iancorlessThe cushioning is well balanced, soft without being squidgy and the responsiveness and propulsion is excellent. With softer foam at the bottom; Lightstrike Pro. Firmer Lightstrike on the top, this combination does add more stability but the footprint is too narrow in the middle and rear – ankle breaking warning given! When Runnning, the rocker does kick in and helps increase cadence and propulsion, but unlike the Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra, you feel more in control and able to reign the shoe in and run at a more comfortable pace. This is probably due to the considerably less stack height and the lack of any plate. Walking too is better, not ideal, but better.

Continental outsole is good, again though, the lugs (3 and 4mm) are minimal and reduce the potential for it to be a real trail shoe. However, the grip is better than the Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra.

©iancorlessThis shoe is arguably an update from my favourite adidas shoe, the Speed Ultra. However, with his level of stack height, there are no similarities really. It really is a subdued version of the Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra and as such, it would make a good training shoe if using the bigger brother for racing. It feels like a road shoe.

There is a great deal of positives with this shoe and as I have said previously, for most people, this is a considerably better shoe choice than the Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra.

However, there are lots of negatives.

adidas really need to sort there sizing out. There is no consistency.
They also need to understand that when a shoe is called Terrex, that means it’s a trail shoe and not an updated road shoe… The shoes need to be fit for purpose.
The ankle collar, for some, will be an issue.
The tongue needs more padding.
The footprint is woefully too narrow in the middle and the rear. Again, they are a stability nightmare, nowhere near as bad as the Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra, but it’s not great.
The outsole, again, is not aggressive enough. It’s like adidas want to make a road shoe that can just about go off-road, remain fast, but forget any technical and challenging terrain. I consider a 4mm lug a minimum, and this shoe would benefit from 5/ 6mm. But having said that, adidas would need to address the stability issues too.

©iancorlessUltimately, the Terrex Agravic Speed is a good looking shoe that is ideal for faster trail running on slick or groomed trails. I have used this far more than its bigger brother as they are much more of an ‘all-rounder!’

The potential of the shoe is limited. It’s woefully unstable on technical trail, the outsole is not aggressive enough for anything other than slick trail and there are foothold issues.

So, this is a road to trail shoe, or a trail to road shoe. It’s the type of shoe that is ideal for someone who has loads of road experience and is venturing onto trail for the first time. But don’t get me wrong, there is a nice bounce, feel and propulsion to these shoes.

But, there are a great deal of shoes out there now that are a better option than the Terrex Agravic Speed. The Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra can come highly recommended as it is a super shoe that for the right person, they will reap the rewards that this shoe can offer. Here, the Terrex Agravic Speed is just another shoe with nothing unique or special to bring to the trail market. My advice would be take a look at the VJ MAXx2, this brings something special.

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©iancorlessWhen Hoka released the Tecton X in 2022, I went on to say, “Tecton X for me, is the first trail shoe with carbon inserts that I have really enjoyed running in. The shoe offers protection, comfort, stability and great propulsion/ speed in a very good-looking shoe.”

That above quote still rings true. I have tried many trail shoes with plates, and none have given the feeling of the original Tecton X.

The Tecton X was followed by the X2, a shoe that I never had the opportunity to test. However, while differences existed – Lighter upper with Matryx, slightly narrower toe box and gusseted tongue, the differences were marginal.

Jump to the HOKA TECTON X3 and we are now looking at a completely different shoe!

©iancorlessThis new incarnation regarding timeline and development, can be looked at and reviewed alongside the adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra. They are both super shoes, both with plates, both with extreme cushioning and both tested (with results) by elite athletes before coming to commercial market. Read more about the Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra Here.

The Hoka Tecton X3 has been developed closely with Jim Walmsley and a prototype version of the shoe was used to gain victory at the 2023 UTMB. This prototype was then developed into a Hoka Tecton X2.5 which Jim used to win Western States in 2024 and surprisingly a commercial version of the Tecton X2.5 was made available in very limited numbers, it sold out and to my knowledge is no longer available, at least commercially. The Tecton X2.5 had more cushioning (44/39), different lacing, and having spoken to ‘those in the know’ in Chamonix, durability may well have been an issue for commercial release.

Post Western States and pre UTMB it was clear that the Hoka Tectonic X3 would be released and made commercially available just before UTMB and most certainly, there would be a great deal of buzz in and around the UTMB expo.

The blue/ black colour option ©iancorlessBoth myself and Abelone were lucky to receive early versions (thanks to hoka.no). My shoe was in the stormy skies/ cerise colour way, Abelone received the UTMB limited edition black/ Hoka blue. I was immediately jealous, the blue/black colour way is sweet!

©iancorlessWhile the X3 may has some similarities to the X2, it’s fair to say, this is arguably a completely new shoe.

The carbon plates are a game changerSO, WHAT IS NEW?

Gaiter comes up high ©iancorlessJust as we have seen on Jim’s UTMB and WSER Hoka’s, the TECTON X3 has a built-in knit gaiter which comes up above the ankle, fits very light and stops any debris entering the shoe.

Matryx upper ©iancorlessMatryx upper was released on the TECTON X2 and here it has been tweaked and developed and it also has a hydrophobic coating to help keep moisture out.

©iancorlessA dual-layer PEBA foam midsole is completely new, it is considerably lighter and amazingly bouncy.

Carbon clearly visible ©iancorlessArguably, the biggest development comes with the parallel carbon plates. They have been developed with ‘winglets’ that come up the side of the shoe, they are a game changer in making the shoe more stable.

©iancorlessThe outsole has also been developed with Vibram. This Vibram Megagrip Litebase covers more of the shoe, in comparison the Tecton X2. The lugs have also been changed to Traction Lugs with 4mm height.

©iancorlessIN USE

©iancorlessThe Hoka Tecton X3 is amazingly light. It’s a great looking shoe, particularly in the blue/ black colour way!

Briliiant wide outsole/ footprint, front, middle and rear ©iancorlessThe first thing I noticed was the size of the outsole. Hallelujah, Hoka completely understand that when you increase stack height, you also need to increase the size/ footprint of the outsole. This helps make the shoe stable. An incredible short coming from the new adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra which is so narrow that you constantly roll left to right – the shoe has no stability, it’s a terrible shoe on challenging trail. Here, the Hoka Tecton X3 is supreme, the front is wide, the middle is wide, and the rear actually is not only wide but extends behind the shoe.

©iancorlessThe new carbon winglets are visible on both sides of the shoe, they extend up on the right and left – a game changer in providing extra stability.

©iancorlessThe Matryx upper is very durable and at the front of the shoe, there is great toe protection. The lacing system sits on top of the shoe and there is no tongue as the upper is an all-in-one upper. The addition of the gnit gaiter gives the Tecton X3 a unique look.

Cushioning is 40mm at the rear, 35mm at the front providing a 5mm drop, the women’s shoe is 39/34mm.

Sizing is true to size BUT due to the nature of the upper, you may want to try sizing to make sure you have the fit you require. For me, my normal run shoe size was perfect.

I was nervous about the gaiter. Nearly every shoe I have tried with a built-in gaiter I have been disappointed, either the gaiter is not tight enough or, the shoes are incredibly difficult to get on. Not so with the Tecton X3. For sure, getting the shoe on the foot requires more time and patience than a normal shoe, but it’s not problematic. Gladly, the fit around the top is tight. I absolutely love the feel of this shoe on the foot!

©iancorlessAnother worry was the lacing. Would I be able to get the secure and locked feeling that I like with a shoe of this nature? Quite simply, yes! A great fit for me. Note I say, ‘for me,’ here. I do think that the shape will heavily influence if the Tecton X3 works for you. My foot fills and occupies the shoe, by contrast, Abelone has a long/ narrow foot, and she found that getting the correct hold/ security was difficult.

Standing up, the comfort level is a wow. They are plush but not squishy. Despite the stack height, they feel stable and secure, a consequence of the wide footprint and the new carbon plate.

The moment you start to run, you feel the bounce and propulsion moving you forward. They are a fast shoe but importantly, they are equally happy running slower and importantly (for ultra) they are extremely comfortable walking and hiking due to the wide and cushioned rear. The responsiveness is superb when climbing and the cushioning, width and carbon plates make downhill a joy.

The gaiter is fantastic, not only does it stop debris, but it adds the secure feeling of the shoe. So much so, when I have moved to other trail shoes, say the Hoka Speedgoat 6, I have really missed the gaiter. You forget you are wearing the Tecton X3 they are som comfortable.

These are a fun shoe; they are exciting and put a smile on my face.

For many years I have avoided shoes with large stack height, and this has not changed when I am running on very technical or mountain terrain, quite simply I need to be lower. However, despite 40/35 cushioning, the Tecton X3 is remarkably stable – way more stable than I anticipated. On single-track, gravel roads and non-technical trails they zip along. Amazingly, on tree routes, rocks, and uneven terrain, the stability level is considerably better than expected – the wide outsole and carbon wings really do a stunning job. Also, the parallel carbon plates can move independently, allowing the outsole to adjust the terrain underneath. There is a limit to how technical you can go, but also, one needs to consider the runner that is in the Tecton X3. If you are an experienced mountain/ technical trail runner, you may well be amazed and where you can take this shoe!

©iancorlessVibram grip is universally liked, so the Tecton X3 has this covered. I personally am not always a fan of Vibram, especially on wet rock. However, this new Megagrip Litebase with traction lugs is a winner. The lugs are 4mm which is a perfect middle ground, a compromise will come in mud.

CONCLUSION

The HOKA TECTON X3 is my shoe of the year for trail running. It’s matched by the VJ Sport MAXx2 for mountain and technical trail.

Hoka have produced a remarkable shoe. There are key elements that make this stand out above all the competition. Super shoes very often are designed for and around super athletes, the adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra a great example; if you are a great runner, can run fast and you have great form, the shoe is perfect. But if you are just a normal runner, the shoe can be a liability and on technical trail, it is a disaster.

Vincent Couillard in the Tecton X2.5 ©iancorlessThe Hoka Tecton X3 is a super shoe, Jm Walmsley set a course record at UTMB, he then went on to win Western States and just recently, Vincent Couillard ran under 20-hours (19:54) to win the 2024 UTMB. Admittedly, Jim and Vincent were either in a prototype or maybe the Tecton X2.5 but there is a direct correlation to the Tecton X3.

The combination of features, cushioning, gaiter, parallel carbon plates and notably the new winglets and wide outsole make this a cushioned and surprisingly stable trail shoe.

The Tecton X3 is remarkably fast and once you get your cadence ticking over, you feel the carbon plates propelling you forward. But what is key for me is the comfort, feel and great sensations I get when running easy. They just feel great! At slower speeds the shoe feels comfortable and stable. Walking they are superb.

This may well be the first super shoe that works for any runner. That is a bold statement.

Despite all the above, the Tecton X3 will not work for some – If you have long narrow feet, you may find a compromise on fit.

The gaiter gives a secure and tight feel, this may not be for everyone.

There is one negative, due to the style of the shoe, the Matryx upper and the gaiter, the shoe does feel warmer than a normal shoe. Something I am happy to accept.

Finally, they are not cheap, however, run shoes these days seem to hover around the £200 mark, especially super shoes that push development and technology.

The Hoka Tectonic X3 is highly recommended.

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Kilian Jornet recently connected 82 4000m peaks in the Alps in an amazing 19-days. He covered a total of 1207km’s and climbed a total of 75,334m+

On episode 249 of Talk Ultra, we discuss this amazing project, ALPINE CONNECTIONS.

You can also read a full and in-depth article on The Alpine Connections Project HERE.

Read the article HERE

Listen to the podcast on Apple HERE

Spotify HERE

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©iancorlessThe adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra shoe was one of the most anticipated trail shoe releases of 2024. Let’s be honest, this shoe was a long time coming…. We had seen early versions of the shoe on the podiums of Transgrancanaria, MIUT, Transvulcania, Western States, UTMB and more. There was a soft launch of the shoe at UTMB 2023 that only whet the appetite of runner’s even more, however, it was the spring of 2024 before the shoe became commercially available.

adidas did a great job of building the anticipation and it is fair to say, that until the release of this new shoe, adidas were not really considered a contender in the trail market. This new incarnation most definitely changed things and I have seen the shoes on countless runner’s feet, in countless races, all over the world in 2024.

I have been testing the Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra shoes for a year. I picked up my first pair in August 2023 and I have been through two pairs in the last twelve months.

The previous ‘Speed Ultra’ shoe is my personal favourite adidas shoe, it was developed with the input of Tom Evans and was the shoe the helped Tom place third at his first Western States. This new incarnation has nothing to do with the one that has gone before, the only connection, sadly, is the use of the Speed Ultra name. So, if you liked the first shoe, there is no guarantee you will like this new one! They are like chalk and cheese.

Serious cushioning and rocker ©iancorlessA whopping 42mm of cushioning at the rear, 34mm at the front gives an 8mm drop. The shoe has Energy Rods and an extremely curved rocker. The outsole is Continental rubber with 2.5/ 3mm lugs. The cushioning is Lightstrike Pro. The upper is extremely light and breathable with overlays for durability and a gusseted tongue provides foot hold and support. Sizing is hit and miss, so, I recommend trying this shoe on before purchasing to ascertain what size is correct for you.

The shoe has the ‘Terrex’ branding, which means trail running, but it feels like an adapted road shoe, if you are familiar with the Adizero range, there are similarities.

The shoe is promoted as ‘Our fastest trail running shoe yet.’ And in all honesty, it’s hard to argue with this based on the results of the adidas Terrex team in the last two to three years, and just recently, once again, we saw this shoe on the podium of Transvulcania, OCC and the CCC.

But is this shoe for you?

I must be honest here, it is definitely NOT for me. I have tested and tried to adapt wanting to really like this shoe, but I just don’t get on with it. It’s light, it has an incredible propulsion phase and it’s very fast. But…

If you go on any trail with just minor technicality, the shoe is horrendously unstable. Quite simply, it’s too high and the outsole footprint is not wide enough, especially in the middle and rear. This causes the shoe to twist left and right; they are an ankle injury waiting to happen.

The rocker is so pronounced, that walking is unpleasant. Of course, it is maybe fair to say, this is not a shoe to be walking in! But any shoe that has the ultra-tag in it’s name, will almost certainly mean that walking will be required at some point, maybe with the exception of the top athletes, for example, the adidas Terrex team!

So, is this shoe for you?

The answer is yes! If you are fast, have great running form (forefoot striking) and are training or racing on fast, single-track trails with little or no technicality. Go buy them.

However, if you are an average trail runner like me, looking for a comfortable and durable shoe that will see you through many training days or ultra races, with and without technicality, then no. This is not a shoe for you!

Just as the Nike Alphafly for road running will not make me Kipchoge, the Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra will not make me Tom Evans. The shoe may well be state of the art and fast, but they need a fast athlete inside the shoe, otherwise, they are actually more of a liability.

IN USE

This is a premium trail shoe from adidas, years of development and with a string of results from the Terrex team that makes you desire to rush out, get your own pair and run like Ruth Croft or Tom Evans and set PR’s, CR’s and top the podium of the races that you enter.

No matter how good the shoe, 99.9% of us just don’t have the Ruth or Tom natural ability to bring the best out of a super shoe like this.

Peba energy rods visible in the midsole ©iancorlessThis is a fast shoe, four pronged Peba Energy Rods are encapsulated between a Lightstrike Pro midsole. An extreme rocker and 42/34mm cushioning make this a beast to be unleashed. It’s a Ferrari for trail running on non-technical trail.

It is bold in looks, so much so, even the three stripes are subtle with TERREX in striking in white. There is no mention of adidas!

When you put the shoe on, you immediately feel the height and sadly, you also feel the instability. I am going to scream this again and again, the ‘footprint’ is not wide enough for the stack height of the shoe.

©iancorlessThe foot hold from the gusseted tongue is very good and the sawtooth laces work well. However, the tongue lacks padding and when the laces are tied tight, there is pressure on the navicular bone. The heel cup is minimal but holds well. The toe box is wide and expansive which only makes the middle and the rear of the shoe feel very narrow. The rocker is immediately noticeable, you rock while standing still. If you are NOT a forefoot runner, forget this shoe. If you are a heel striker, you may as well leave this review now!

Seamless overlays
Lightstrike Pro
Energy rods
Dynamic rocker
Continental outsole

©iancorlessThe combination of rocker, rods, cushioning and amazing propulsive phase make this shoe fly. As soon as you build cadence, the shoes start to propel you forward asking you to go faster and faster. I quite simply cannot keep up with the shoe. This is a positive if you have the fitness, speed and run form to do this.

©iancorlessUphill and climbing, the shoes work exceptionally well. Downhill not so. The instability really comes to the fore and they just feel scary and unstable.

The shoes zip along and are nimble, lightweight and quick on slick trails, gravel roads and single-track.

Too narrow in the middle and rear result in instability ©iancorlessEncounter rocks, tree routes, uneven terrain and the ride becomes worryingly unstable with constant twisting and rocking. They are not good on anything technical. The Energy Rods work like fingers, so much better than a single plate (also seen in Hoka Tecton X2 and the new X3) as it allows more adaptability and flexibility on trail, but here it doesn’t work due to the stack height and narrow footprint.

Minimal lugs ©iancorlessContinental rubber for the outsole is good with excellent grip, however, with 2.5/3mm lugs, this is only ‘just’ a trail shoe. But I guess that is the point! This shoe is meant to be fast for a Western States type of course where ‘grip’ is not really required. They are not for tough, technical and challenging mountain terrain.

Forefoot running required for this shoe ©iancorlessUltimately, don’t be fooled by the performances of the adidas Terrex team, they are superb athletes with the speed, great run form and ability to really make the Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra shine. If you are running slower, trying to walk or just out for an easy run, these shoes are clunky and awkward.

The shoe also requires adaptation. Early runs will work muscles in a different way, particularly calf and glutes. If you get these shoes, adapt over time and distance adding a day off with another shoe between runs until you feel adapted.

CONCLUSION

©iancorlessI this a bad shoe? Absolutely not, it is state of the art and the results of the adIdas Terrex team endorse that. A fast shoe for slick trail and on the right feet a real joy.

Sadly though, most of us are not fast, don’t have great run form and this shoe will not only be a waste of money, but ultimately may well result in in a worse performance and maybe injury, especially if trying to run on technical terrain.

The Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra is quite simply not for me!

Terrex Agravic Speed ©iancorless©iancorlessHowever, should you wish to pursue an adidas shoe, the Terrex Agravic Speed (review to follow) with 34mm/ 26mm cushioning and no Energy Rods may well be a better consideration. I have used this shoe considerably more than the big brother Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra with better sensations and run feel. Sadly though, despite the reduced stack height, it is still worryingly unstable on technical ground.

Hoka Tecton X3 ©iancorless©iancorlessFinally, if a super shoe is what you require, the Hoka Tecton X3 is a revelation. Hoka understand that if you increase stack height, you must also increase the platform on which this increased height sits. The Tecton X3 has a superbly wide base at front, middle and especially the rear with a great Vibram outsole. In addition, the two parallel carbon rods have now been developed with ‘wings’ that come up the sides of the shoe providing a considerably more stable platform. This is how a cushioned, plated super shoe should feel. Yes, it’s a super light and responsive shoe and while the adidas requires a top athlete and great running form to bring out the best of the shoe, the Hoka does not. The Hoka is superb when running fast but equally at home when running slower or walking. A full review HERE.

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Excitement builds as Marathon des Sables announce entries opening for MDS Jordan and MDS Cappadocia 2025.

Mark your diaries, entries open September 18th

MDS Jordan dates May 9th to 16th 2025

MDS Cappadocia dates June 21 to 28th 2025.

Visit the MDS website HERE

Both races will follow the classic MDS format with 3-stages taking place over 4-days. This allows participants to choose a distance of 70, 100 or 120km’s.

Day 1 will have arrival in Jordan or Turkey.
Day 2 Technical and admin checks.
Day 3 Stage 1
Day 4 Stage 2
Day 5 Rest Day
Day 6 Stage 3 followed by night at the race hotel.
Day 7 Day at the hotel and gala dinner.
Day 8 Onward travel

MDS Jordan is a firm favourite in the MDS list of races with two editions taking place in each year. May and November. A very special race that mixes the Dead Sea with the deseret of Wadi Rum.

MDS Cappadocia had a first edition in 2024 and what an edition! Unique landscapes, hot air balloons and amazing light. A departure for the MDS brand with considerably less sand and more technical trails. A stunning addition to the MDS line-up.

What is the MDS?

The MARATHON DES SABLES is a unique adventure, shared by thousands of enthusiasts since 1986.

To differentiate the full distance race of 250km’s, Marathon des Sables will now be known at MDS The Legendary, reflecting the legendary status of this iconic event and its long history as a pioneer of the stage racing and multi-day format.

The ‘HMDS’ format while still follow the same protocols as before but has now dropped the ‘half’ title and moving forward, events will be called MDS Jordan, MDS Morocco, MDS Cappadocia and so on.

The MDS events are a one-week sporting adventure that combines the discovery, tavel, meeting new people and physically challenging yourself in a self-sufficient manner.

MDS format is as follows, after spending 1 or 2 nights in a hotel, you will go to the desert for 4 days of adventure and typically 3 or 4 nights in bivouac.

Once the race is over, the participants return to the race hotel offering relaxation time and a gala dinner.

The MDS exists in three different formats so that you can choose a distance based on your own personal requirements, needs and fitness:

Stage 1 : 25km to 30km
Stage 2 : 20, 40 or 60km
Rest day
Stage 3: 25km to 30k

The difference between the formats is on stage 2, where, depending on your form, you can choose 20, 40 or 60km.

During the MDS you will spend your nights in the heart of the desert, in the MDS bivouac in a tent supplied by the organisation.

The MDS is self-sufficient, you need ALL your equipment and food to last the duration of the event. Water is the only item supplied.

With all MDS events, if you do not finish, you receive a free entry for the next edition.

Read MDS THE ULTIMATE GUIDE HERE

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As projects go, Alpine Connections is so grand in scale, that it is hard to fully understand. Imagine connecting 82-peaks over 4000m, covering 1207km’s by human power (run, cycle, climb or walk), accumulating 75,344m+ all within 19-days and just with an average sleep of 5h 17m.

As physical and sporting achievements go, this project by Kilian Jornet, for me, is one of THE greatest sporting achievements of all time and quite correctly, it is one that will be cemented quite firmly in the legendary annals of alpinism.

“This project has been incredible; I think it’s one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done, both physically, technically, as well as mentally. Having to stay in a state of total concentration for 20 days requires a lot of energy, but it has been amazing. I remember all the sunrises and sunsets and all the friends who accompanied me in the mountains, and I am very happy and proud of what we have achieved in the last three weeks. Now it’s time to rest and process everything that has happened, because I think it will take me some time to fully appreciate it.” explained Kilian Jornet.

There is history with the 82 peaks, and many may well look at what Ueli Steck achieved in 62-days as the ‘template’ for such a challenge, his project concluded in 2015. However, in 1993 Martin Moran and Simon Jenkins did all (principal) summits in the Alps in 52 days. In 2008, Franz Nicolini and Diego Giovannini did the peaks in 60 days and just recently, Chrigel Maurer and Peter von Kanel, both from Switzerland, climbed all 82 of the 4,000m peaks in the Alps in 51 days using paraglider and foot, article here.

It may well come as no surprise that Kilian, one day, would take on this ultimate feat of alpinism, especially after his ‘Rediscovering Pyrenees’ project when he summited 177-peaks in just 8-days!

However, there was no warning or build up to this Alpine Connections project. A stunning victory at Sierre-Zinal and then Kilian announced on August 13th via social media:

“Hi everyone, I’m feeling pretty good after Sierre-Zinal, so, I’ve decided not to go home yet and enjoy the good conditions in the Alps…”

Little did we know what would follow!

Many thought a surprise UTMB start may be on the cards, I personally expected him to toe the line at Trofeo Kima… Then on August 14th, all was revealed, ‘One mountain range. One journey. This is Alpine Connections.’

At first, the 82 peaks were not announced. Quite simply, the project was described as a quest to connect as many 4000m peaks as possible relying solely on human-powered means and local resources.

I wondered, would he go for all 82 and in all honesty, we were left wondering this as each day passed until it became completely obvious that all 82 peaks were not only an objective but the timeline for this achievement would set the bar so high, that if achieved, this record would be history making.

OUTLINE

• Alpine connections – A project by mountain athlete Kilian Jornet where he aims to connect as many 4,000-meter summits in the Alps as possible by linking peaks through ridges using only human-powered means.

• This project is a way for Kilian to explore his human limits and understand how far he can push his body both physically and mentally. For this, he will be testing himself during the activity, and the data collected will be used in scientific studies.

• The project is divided into stages that can go up to 34 hours where he combines climbing, running and cycling. Friends and family members have joined him throughout the challenge as well as a small team of filmmakers and a crew that helps with logistics.

In essence, the project is all about the constant pursuit of new goals, the creativity in approaching them and the exploration of Kilian’s own limits.

TIMELINE

Stage 1 Bernini

©nickmadelsonKilian took an early start with Philipp Brugger to climb Piz Bernina (4048m), the easternmost 4000-meter peak in the Alps, located in the Swiss Engadine valley. They ran and climbed 29km with 2573m of elevation to the summit round-trip, in great conditions, before getting to the start of the first bike link-up of the adventure. Kilian then cycled more than 210km solo with almost 4000m of elevation through some iconic mountain passes, to reach the next stage of the adventure. Kilian said;

“After dreaming about this project for a while, it feels so exciting to be on the move!”

Interesting fact: Kilian will have a scientific team following him at certain points, collecting various samples and analyzing aspects like his sleep patterns.

Stage 2 Oberland

©nickmadelsonKilian arrived in the Bernese Oberland for the next part of the project. The day started a bit later than expected because of the bad weather. Even though the conditions weren’t perfect, Kilian set off for Lauteraarhorn (4042m) and Schreckhorn (4078m), two summits linked by a ridge, then pushing to Finsteraarhorn (4274m), the highest peak of the Bernese Alps region. Overall, it was not an easy stage with challenging weather. Fortunately, Kilian was able to shelter in a hut and get a few hours of sleep before continuing. Four 4000m peaks are now done.

Interesting facts: It was a rough day out there, with the weather forcing Kilian to change his game plan. He adjusted his route to steer clear of exposed areas, tackling wet rocks, snow, and storms as he went.

Stage 3 Oberland

©nickmadelsonOne of the toughest stages yet, with the longest continuous climb of the project so far. Kilian started from Finsteraarhorn Hut after just a few hours of sleep and managed to traverse six 4000-meter peaks. It was a long 99 kilometers with 7890 meters of elevation gain, summiting Gross Grünhorn, Hinter Fiescherhorn, Gross Fiescherhorn, Mönch, Jungfrau, and finally, a long stretch to Aletschhorn. The whole push took Kilian 32 hours and 30 minutes.

“I had to be careful since the conditions weren’t always on my side. I even had to change my route to Aletschhorn three times—once because of the rain and twice due to tricky glacier conditions. Descending from Aletschhorn, I finally reunited with the team.”

After a quick 15-minute nap, Kilian cycled 40 kilometers to link up with the next part of this adventure.

Interesting facts: Kilian has now earned 3 KOMs on Strava and completed his longest ride ever during Stage 1, covering 213.06 km with an elevation gain of 3,984 meters in just 8 hours and 50 minutes of activity.

Stage 4 Weissmies

©nickmadelsonAfter a good night of rest, Kilian was super happy to share this climb with my friend and talented mountaineer, Matheo Jacquemond. The duo has great history, and Matheo was part of Kilian’s ‘Summits of my Life’ project. The duo set off at 3:30 in the morning to summit Lagginhorn (4010m) through its South Ridge, and Weissmies (4017m), in a 8-hours push covering 30 kilometers and 3381 meters of elevation.

“In these moments, I feel so grateful to be surrounded by a team helping me with all the logistics of the project, and experienced friends I can count on for long outings above 4000 meters in not-so perfect weather.”

After the climb, Kilian took a short bike ride to get to the end of the stage and a new afternoon of rest as the weather deteriorated again. After stage 4, Kilian had climbed twelve 4000-meter peaks.

Interesting facts: After climbing Lagginhorn and on the way back, Matheo decided to call it a day and take the gondola back, while Kilian carried out running to arrive down the valley.

Stage 5 Valais 1

©avisuals

“As it had been raining (and snowing on the summits) the entire afternoon and night before, I left solo at 6:15 in the morning and had another relatively “short” (8:40) day of climbing to make the most out of the conditions. Still, I am used to this “Norwegian” weather that feels just like home, so I managed to summit Dürrenhorn (4034m), Hohberghorn (4218m), Stecknadelhorn (4239m) and Nadelhorn (4327m). On the way down, I stopped to get some food at the Mischabelhütte and ran down to the valley.”

In total, 23 kilometers and 3246 meters of climbing for 4 more summits and a total of 16 4000 meters since starting the adventure.

Interesting facts: During his last adventure in the Pyrenees, Kilian lost his phone during one stage. This year, he has incorporated a phone case (and a new phone of course!) with a small string that he then attaches with a carabiner to his backpack.

Stage 6 Valais 2

©avisuals

“Stage 6 of the Alpine Connections project, aiming to link as many 4000 meter peaks of the Alps as I can, got under way at 6:20 in the morning from Saas-Fe. I started climbing with Matheoconnecting the beautiful peaks of the Mischabel group: Lenzspitze (4294m), Dom (4545m) and Täschhorn (4491m), before being joined at midday by mountain guide, Genis Zapaterfor Alphubel (4206m), Allalinhorn (4027m), Rimpfischhorn (4199m) and finally Stalhhorn (4190m), ending the long day in the Monte Rosa hut for some well needed rest. It felt great to see the sun, be in good company, and to add a big day in the mountains to the adventure after dealing with uncertain weather for a bit.”

In total, Stage 6 lasted more than 21 hours, with almost 48 kilometers and more than 6000 meters of elevation, adding 7 summits to the project, for a total of 23 peaks of 4000 climbed so far.

Stage 7 Valais 3

©nickmadelson

“After 3 hours of rest in the Monte Rosa hut, I left, solo this time, at 7 in the morning for one of the big days of the project, with 18 summits of 4000 meters and above climbed in a single day.”

This traverse is known as the Spaghetti Tour, and took Kilian through Nordend, Dufourspitze, Zumsteinspitze, Signalkuppe, Pointe Parrot, Ludswighöhe, Corno Nero, Pyramide Vincent, Punta Giordani, Lyskamm E, Lyskamm W, Castor, Pollux, Roccia Nera, Breithorn (pointe 4106), Breithorn E, Breithorn central and finally Breithorn W.

The weather was good during the day, but the warm and soft snow conditions made Kilian slower than he had originally thought, which in turn made him struggle with adequate water and food intake. The smoke from the North American fires was clearly visible up in the sky and made for a strange atmosphere at times. Fortunately, the super moon made for good visibility at night, and Kilian managed to finish the stage in 17:45, ending up at the Hörnlihütte at around 1 in the morning for a feast of eggs, soup, quinoa, tortilla, broccoli, peas and cake before crashing down.

In just 6 stages, Kilian had accumulated 41 peaks of 4000 meters since the beginning of the Alpine Connections project, crazy!

Interesting fact: At the end of Stage 7, Kilian reached Hörnlihütte. His mother, Nuria, who knew the Hörnlihütte since she had submitted the Matterhorn 46 years ago, was waiting there to meet him.

Stage 8 Valais 4

©nickmadelson

“After some rest in the Hörnlihütte, this new stage started right away with an iconic climb, Matterhorn (4478m) , which I had climbed by its North Face the last time I came here (but of course that wasn’t on the menu today!), and in 2:52:02 from the Italian side in 2013.”

Departing at 7am, Kilian was treated with a beautiful sunrise. Once again, Kilian was joined by Matheo for Dent d’Hérens (4173m) then Genis for the long walk to Dent Blanche (4358m) and the descent to Schönbielhütte.

Another long day of more than 18 hours and 3 more peaks.

Interesting fact: In 2013, Kilian did his fastest time on the Matterhorn route, ascending it from the Italian side with a time of 2:52:02.

Stage 9 Valais 5

©nickmadelson

“We stayed only two hours at the Schönbielhütte, and left towards Zinal withMatheo at 5:30 in the morning, for what was maybe the most special stage of the project for me.”

After 4 days of an average of 19 hours of activity, Kilian arrived back in Zinal, two weeks after winning the mythical Sierre-Zinal mountain race. For this last day, Kilian recorded 4 new +4000m peaks in the Alps: Ober Gabelhorn (4064m), Zinalrothorn (4221m), Bishorn (4151m) and Weisshorn (4506m), a summit that he was looking forward to at the beginning of this project.

As he explained when he arrived back to Zinal:

“To me, this was the most special stage, and I was really looking forward to it. It was the end of a five-day stage in Valais: I was very tired, and it was the most technical section in a very wild region with a lot of decision making and navigation difficulties. To me, Weisshorn is one of the most beautiful mountains here in the Alps. Catching the sun to climb the south ridge of Weisshorn was special as I was quite afraid of entering the face in the dark as it’s a big climb, very technical and very long and I needed to run all the ridges before with very poor rock and very demanding. But then, the climb to Weisshorn was one of the best moments of my life! Climbing there with this rock that is beautiful and just seeing the sunset and the broken spectrum. I was flowing, I didn’t feel any tiredness, anything. It was super, super special. And then going to Zinal that is a special place for all the races that I have done here, it was a very special day”

In Zinal, his team and his mother were waiting for him before departing for a new bike link-up. To this day, Kilian has climbed 48 peaks on the Alps, with an elevation of more than 46.203m.

Interesting fact: Kilian’s last project in the Pyrenees concluded after 8 days, 155 hours of activity, 177 +3000 peaks and 485,65 Km. Alpine Connections has already reached 9 stages, 160 hours of activity and 48 +4000 peaks. The projects are unique and not directly comparable, but it’s something remarkable!

Stage 10 Grand Combin Traverse

©nickmadelson

“I started the day by a 110 kilometers bike ride from Zinal to Bourg Saint-Pierre, which took me most of the morning. I was happy to meet with Alan Tissieres for the climb to Grand Combins. We were racing together in ski mountaineering a long, long time ago. Now, he is a mountain guide, and it was nice to share a few summits with him! Grand Combins was more technical than I expected. It was a very nice climb, but it is a dangerous mountain because there’s a lot of rockfall and it’s not always easy to navigate, so I was glad not to be solo. We started towards Combin de Valsorey at sunset and climbed through the night on the glacier to Grand Combin and Combin de la Tsessette, the 49th, 50th and 51st summits of my Alpine Connections project. After a bit more than 9 hours of climbing, we were back to Bourg Saint-Pierre at around 2:30am.”

The next stage should be a stage of transition, as Kilian exits Switzerland towards the next part of the journey.

Stage 11 Transition

©nickmadelson

“After the Combins traverse, I arrived at 2 in the morning back to Bourg-Saint-Pierre, had a 4 hour sleep and left for an easy day, first cycling about 30k to La Fouly. On the way, I met Jules Henrigabioud, someone I’ve known from racing and ski mountaineering, who joined me on the ride and told me about a shortcut to go to Val Ferret. The Alps are a big place, but somehow, I keep running into people I know! I did a nice, easy run in the heat to Val Ferret. Over there, the weather was bad, so I took the first actual full rest day of the project. I tried to eat, drink a lot, heal the skin my hands and feet and prepare for the next long and technical push of the Alpine Connections project.”

Interesting fact: For the bike part, Kilian bumped into Jules Henri, an old friend who had competed in trail and ski mountaineering with him. After chatting for a bit, they realized they were going to the same place so decided to ride together, using a shortcut that Henri knew

Stage 12 Grand Jorasses

©noabarrau

“I left at midnight from our camping ground in Courmayeur, feeling good and rested, to start the climb to Grandes Jorasses with a great team: Matheo, Michel Lanne and Bastien Lardat. Even though it was the middle of the night, everyone was super happy to be here and to kick off the day in good company! All of them know the area well and I was glad to have them for the more technical climbs of the day, as the conditions can get a bit tricky in this part of the Alps.”

Kilian and the team summited the Grandes Jorasses ridge (Pointe Walker, Pointe Whymper, Pointe Croz, Pointe Elena, Pointe Margherita), then Dôme de Rochefort, Aiguille de Rochefort and finally Dent du Géant, before stopping for a break at Rifugio Torino.

After that, Kilian left the team to go solo to the Refuge du Couvercle where he arrived after an elapsed time of 18:22 hours. With 28 kilometers and 4200 meters of elevation for today, Kilian climbed 8 more 4000-meter peaks, bringing the total to 59.

Interesting fact: After passing through Rifugio Torino, Matheo, Michel and Bastien decided to stop and let Kilian continue solo to Refuge Couvercle, amazed at how hard it was to follow Kilian even after 12 stages.

Stage 13 Mont Blanc 1

©noabarrau

“Departing at 4am from Refuge du Couvercle, I summited Aiguille Verte, Grande Rocheuse, Aiguille du Jardin and Les Droites in a 17 hours push for 24 kilometers and 3470 meters of elevation in quite technical climbing. I was glad to join the team, friends and family at Rifugio Torino to debrief such a big day and start planning the rest of the adventure”.

This brings the total to 63 summits so far. Today, Kilian He was joined by Spanish alpinist Jordi Tosas, an old friend and climbing partner, with whom Kilian did his first expedition in the Himalayas.

Interesting fact: Proof of how technical the terrain is? Kilian has already worn out two pairs of leather gloves!

Stage 14 Mont Blanc 2

©noabarrau

“We started the day at 4:45 with Matheo and Noa Barau on the Diable ridge, one of the most beautiful rock climbs I’ve ever done, both very technical and aesthetic. This took us through Corne du Diable, Pointe Chaubert, Pointe Médiane, Pointe Carmen and L’Isolée. We pushed on towards Mont Blanc with the summits of Mont Blanc du Tacul, Mont Maudit, Mont Blanc, Dôme du Goûter and Aiguille de Bionassay, where Matheo and Noa left.”

Kilian continued solo, went back to the summit of Mont Blanc for a second time on my way back, then down on the Brouillard ridge (Monte Bianco de Courmayeur, Picco Luigi Amadeo, Mont Brouillard and Punta Baretti) accompanied with amazing sunset in the background:

“A moment that I will remember forever.”

Taking Kilian around 20 hours in total, he stopped at the bivouac Eccles for around 4 hours and waited for better conditions, before climbing some technical sections at Grand Pilier d’Angle and Aiguille Blanche de Peuterey.

One very big day in the books, with 16 new 4000-meter summits, almost 41 kilometers with 5000 meters of climb, in 29 hours and 25 minutes (not including the 4 hours sleeping at Eccles).

Interesting fact: One of Kilian’s goals for this project was to connect summits using ridges or the most logical routes. In Stage 14, for example, he faced sections that had rarely been attempted, so there wasn’t much information available. Kilian used various resources—maps, advice from friends, and input from fellow alpinists—to understand these routes before tackling them. This shows the significant time and effort he put into planning this project, which took several months. Once on the mountain, he had to constantly adapt his plan based on weather, conditions, and how he was feeling. The support of friends, guides, hut owners, and people he met along the way was crucial in these moments.

Stage 15 Gran Paradiso

©davidarinoKilian reached the summit of Gran Paradiso (4,061 m) with Mathéo and Vivien Bruchez, a long-time friend with whom he has shared numerous expeditions and steep-skied some iconic couloirs in the mountains he is now crossing in his project. After the bike section, Vivien, recovering from an injury, departed, and the group was joined by trail runner Henry Aymond and ski mountaineering world champion Emily Harrop. Together, they set up to climb the summit number 80 of this journey, which they summited in only 4 hours. This summit was less technical than the sections Kilian encountered in the Mont Blanc massif a few days ago, which allowed for a quick ascent and descent. Back from the climb, Kilian ran 21 km to cross back into France. Once in Val d’Isère, he rested for 7 hours.

Interesting fact: It took Kilian only 4h to climb Gran Paradiso, compared to the long hours spent on the Mont Blanc ridge the days before, which is a real proof of how technical the Mont Blanc is.

Stage 16 Completion

After completing stage 16 in the Ecrins massif, Kilian connected all 82 of the Alps’ 4,000-meter peaks in 19 days using only human-powered means. A mind-blowing project and a colossal challenge due to the exposure, technical difficulty, and focus it requires.

Interesting fact: Kilian set up his first FKT in Dôme des Neiges when he was 16, so finishing here feels almost like closing the circle.

In a hybrid combination of trail running, mountaineering, climbing, and cycling, Kilian Jornet has brought together everything he is passionate about in this project: the majesty of the mountains, facing the unknown, honouring alpinism and his mentors, physiological research, and the pursuit of physical and mental limits, all shared with friends and the community.

“19 days after getting started on Piz Bernina, my dream of climbing all 82 4000-meter peaks of the Alps using only human power to link them together came true on Dôme and Barre des Écrins, the westernmost of them all. This was, without any doubt, the most challenging thing I’ve ever done in my life, mentally, physically, and technically, but also maybe the most beautiful. It’s difficult to process all my emotions just now, but this is a journey that I will never forget. I want to thank again all the people who supported me or climbed with me throughout this project. It’s time to rest for a bit now!”

SUMMARY

It’s very, very difficult to summarise this achievement. In all honesty, I am not able to fully understand what Kilian has achieved. We can look at images and videos, they give a hint of the danger, the complexity, the skills required, but ultimately, we can only imagine… What I do know is, this is one of THE greatest sporting achievements of all time.

Michel Lanne, a grand star of the sport, a mountain guide and employed by the PGHM (Peloton de Gendarmerie de Haute Montagne) who joined Kilian sums it up well:

“This is the story of a friend, who decides to go on a ‘little alpine ride,’ as he calls it! Except that this spring, when he explained to me the details of this project, I am both conquered by the idea, but quite puzzled about the feasibility of such a feat! Except this old buddy had it all planned, absolutely everything! He then sends me the routes, timings, summits, planned equipment, and even his nutrition plan for a little over 2 weeks… Knowing the animal, I understand that his determination is complete, that this Titan project matches him completely, and that he is the only one capable of achieving such a feat. In the middle, we often talk about hunting the 4000! As far as Kiki is concerned, this line-up seemed so logical and natural, I’d call this a pick of 4000! Perhaps the numbers can help you understand the extent of what he just accomplished… but beyond the colossal physical performance, it is the mental and psychological aspect that struck me the most. Despite the monstrously long and challenging days, despite the fatigue and little sleep, he was able to exhibit vigilance at every moment, managed to manage nervous tension, risk and effort, constantly maintaining clarity, anticipation and vigilance beyond the norm. And leave each night with a smile, happy and eager to enjoy the mountain. Kiki, thank you for inviting me to share a small piece of your amazing adventure, with the phenomenal Matheo Jacquemond and Bastien Lardat. I have often remained silent, discreet observer of your gesture, fluid, elegant, easy, applied and mastered.”

Michel’s words mean so much, not because Kilian is a friend BUT because you fully understand the enormity of the challenge. The difficulty. The danger. The audacity of even considering this project deserves respect, to complete it in 19-days is beyond any comprehension.

Chapeaux Kilian.

Images and content @joelbadiavisuals @noa_barrau @_avisuals @nickmdanielson

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Stage racing, multi-day running and fastpacking all require a very specific pack. With the growth of multi-day running, many major brands now produce a pack or packs that are specifically designed for the task at hand. However, choosing a pack can be a daunting process due to many variables.

First and foremost, spend some time and sit down with a piece of paper and make notes of all the equipment that you need to carry. This may sound obvious, but there is a great difference in needs and demands.

For example:

Are you running in a hot or cold environment?
Do you need to carry food for the adventure or will you be able to get food on the route?
What spare clothing do you need?
What safety equipment do you need to carry?
Do you need a tent?
Do you need a sleeping bag and sleeping mat?
How much liquid do you need to carry and do you need immediate access to that liquid?

And the list goes on, so, take time to sit down and plan. This also helps you look at weight.

An excellent website to help facilitate this is Lighterpack – You can see an example HERE of all the contents I used when testing the Instinct XX20L when I went fastpacking with a tent.

Recently I went fastpacking in Norway running from cabin-to-cabin. I did not need food (other than run snacks,) did not need a sleeping bag, just a sleeping bag liner and I could be minimal on clothing. I used the Camelbak Octane pack and the contents were as listed below:

You can see an example of my pack below and the details are as follows:

Camelbak Octane Pack 600g
adidas hat 32g
adidas gloves Infinitum 52g
Hestra waterproof gloves 53g
adidas gloves 41g
Devold merino base top 193g
Devold merino base bottom 166g
Buff 43g
Haglofs down jacket 163g
adidas waterproof pant 125g
adidas Gore-Tex jacket 272g
Rab bivvy bag 110g
Underwear 98g
Gels 81g (for emergency)
Silk liner 126g
Blindfold/ earplugs 22g
Earphones 44g
Ricoh GRIII camera 251g (a luxury)
Sunglasses 18g
Bottles x2 90g
Katadyn water filter 52g
Toiletries 196g
Power supply 138g
Phone 136g
Garmin InReach 108g
Leki poles 250g

3379g

As you can see, my pack weight was low. This allowed me to move faster and lighter for less effort.

KEY CONSIDERATIONS FOR CHOOSING A PACK

Once you have worked out what you need to carry, you can then decide what size pack you need. The best recommendation here is that it is better to have a pack that is maybe just too small. That way you will be strict on what you take and what you do not take. Of course, this decision should never be at the compromise of safety. Simply, if you have more room, you tend to take more because you can.

When doing a stage race, multi-day or fastpack, weight is the enemy, so, you need to be as light as possible.

WAA has a waist belt and optional front pocket for food/snacks and water bottle.Comfort is obviously hugely important and just like shoes, packs need to fit you, cause no rubbing or irritation and feel like a piece of clothing. What works for one person will not work for another. A great example being, the needs and requirements for 152cm tall woman weighing 55kg is very different than a 182cm tall male weighing 85kg. It’s great to ask and take advice BUT you need to try packs, see how they fit and importantly when trying, add weight so you can feel how it sits on your body. Many brands do different sizes now such as S/M or L/XL and one or two brands do male/ female versions: Ultimate Direction, Osprey and Oxitis being good examples.

Aiziza El Amrany winner of the 2024 MDS with a Raidlight pack.Many packs now use a ‘vest’ like system, however, when you have 8kg in the pack, does that fit and feel good? You need to know this. Look at pressure points, such as on top of the shoulders, this area can get very sore if you do not have enough padding. Also feel how it sits on your bag and check for bounce/ movement. A pack that moves too much causes friction, friction equals irritation and blisters.

A waist belt is often a great addition to help secure a pack to your body and distribute the weight load. Some love waist belts, others dislike them. I personally am a fan.

You must choose what is correct for you and don’t be afraid to go against the norm to use what is correct for you. A prime example being that a hiking pack may be the best solution for YOU. Trust this and ignore what others say. The only key things to consider: Be careful of the pack weight and make sure it is not too large in capacity.

Instinct pack in action at MDSAccess to water is important, many packs now have the capacity and option to carry bottles up front. This makes drinking and refilling easy. However, this may not work for you. If that is the case, do what is right for you, if that means using a bladder, do so. The only consideration with soft flasks and bladders are the risk of puncture, but, I have used a bladder on countless adventures with no issue. Good admin is key.

Osprey Talon Velocity and Camelbak Octane fastpacking in Norway.If doing an adventure that is self-sufficient (such as MDS,) remember that as days pass, pack contents will become less due to eating food. So, the option to tighten, compress and make the pack smaller is a potential key consideration to stop or reduce bounce.

Finally, pack weight is important, BUT, do not go for the lightest pack if it has no durability. You need the pack to be strong, durable and reliable.

BRANDS TO CONSIDER

As mentioned, many brands now make packs or packs suitable for stage racing, multi-day or fastpacking.

WAA https://www.waa-ultra.com
Camelbak https://www.camelbak.co.uk/
Ultraspire https://ultraspire.com
inov-8 https://www.inov8.com
Ultimate Direction https://ultimatedirection.com/product.php?page=accessories
Salomon https://www.salomon.com/en
Rab https://rab.equipment/uk/
Osprey https://www.osprey.com
Raidlight https://raidlight.com
Silva https://silvasweden.uk/
Oxsitis – https://www.oxsitis.com/en/
OMM https://theomm.com
Instinct https://www.instincttrail.com/product-category/packs/
ARCh Max https://www.arch-max.com/en
Compressport https://www.compressport.com/uk/
Nathan https://www.nathansports.com/
USWE https://uswe.com/en-gb/
Arc’teryx https://arcteryx.com/no/en
Montane https://montane.com/
Six Moon Designs https://www.sixmoondesigns.com/
Gossamer Gear https://www.gossamergear.com/
Hyperlite https://www.hyperlitemountaingear.com/

If you have a brand missing from the list that you feel needs to be added, please make a comment below.

WHAT ARE THE BEST PACK OPTIONS TO CONSIDER

Remember, we are all individual. Every pack on the list below I have looked at, played with and tested in some capacity.

They are ALL applicable for stage racing, multi-day or fastpacking.

You may well be asking, but which do I prefer? Well, I could answer that, but if I do, am I then influencing your decision and thought process? So, for now, I will refrain from giving an opinion.

WAA Ultrabag 20L https://www.waa-ultra.com/en/mds-ultra-bag-20l.html

Camelbak Octane 22l https://www.camelbak.co.uk/products/octane-22-hydration-hiking-pack-22l-with-2l-reservoir?_pos=3&_psq=octane&_ss=e&_v=1.0

Oxitis Enduro 30 Ultra (male and female specific) https://www.oxsitis.com/en/product/sac-enduro-30-ultra/

Ultimate Direction Fastpack available in 20L and 30L also male and female specific https://ultimatedirection.com/fastpack-20/

UltrAspire Epic XT 20L https://ultraspire.com/products/epic-xt-20-hydration-pack/

Instinct XX 20-24L https://www.instincttrail.com/product/xx-20l/

Inov-8 Venturelite 25 https://www.inov8.com/venturelite-25l-hiking-pack?colours=3120

Osprey Talon Velocity in 20l and 30l (male and female fit) https://www.osprey.com/talontm-velocity-20?color=White

Raidlight Ultralight 24-30l (maybe the lightest pack available?) https://raidlight.com/en/products/sac-a-dos-trail-ultralight-24-30-made-in-france

Raidlight Raid Legend 25l https://raidlight.com/en/products/sac-a-dos-de-trail-activ-legend-24l

Montane Gecko VP 20l https://montane.com/products/montane-gecko-vp-20

Montane Trailblazer 25l https://montane.com/products/montane-trailblazer-25l-backpack

Salomon XT 20 https://www.salomon.com/en-us/shop/product/xt-20-lc12756.html#color=87687&size=27106

OMM Classic 25 https://theomm.com/product/classic-25/

OMM Phantom 25 https://theomm.com/product/phantom-25/

OMM Phantom 18 https://theomm.com/product/phantom-18/

RAB Aeon (18 and 28l) https://rab.equipment/uk/rab-aeon-ultra-28-lightweight-pack

SILVA Strive available 17+3l or 23+3l https://silvasweden.uk/collections/backpacks/products/strive-mountain-pack-17-3

Large Capacity Packs:

Arc’teryx Aerios 35 https://arcteryx.com/no/en/shop/aerios-35-backpack?sub-cat=multi-day⊂_categories=Multi-Day

Six Moon Designs Flight 30 https://www.sixmoondesigns.com/

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Elevate 22 https://www.hyperlitemountaingear.com/products/elevate-22

CONCLUSION

Ultimate Direction pack at MDSAs you can see above, there is no shortage of options for packs. The main problem is testing and trying packs. Today, the internet and online purchasing provides us all great options and ease for shopping, but, I cannot emphasise enough, with a pack, go to a store, try them on, add weight and play around. Ideally, go to a store that sells many options so you can compare.

The right pack is the one that works for youFollow on:

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The 2025 Lanzarote Training Camp taking place from January 9th to 16th, 2025 is open for booking.

If you love running, this is the camp for you!

Located at the iconic Club La Santa resort, our training camp will provide you with all the knowledge, experience and practical training you need to make your next adventure a success.

Hosted by Ian Corless, the training camp is the perfect place to hone your skills for stage racing, fast-packing and running in general.

The purpose of any training camp is to provide you with specific information and training designed specifically to help you with your future objectives, be that a single-stage race, stage race or a personal adventure.

We specifically cater for training and information for MDS events.

Lanzarote Training Camp website HERE

Although you may run (train) more in this condensed week, it’s not designed to break you! Therefore, all training sessions are flexible and you can dip-in and dip-out as required.

Most importantly, just as in any race, we will have a very mixed ability base. You will therefore train at your appropriate pace with like minded people.

All abilities catered for.Each day will be broken down into one or two specific training sessions, one workshop and leisure time. Lanzarote offers a variety of terrain; soft-sand, technical trail, ridges, climbs, descents and wonderful flowing single-track. With an epic coastal backdrop, there is something for everyone.

Cathy Searle at Caldera Trasera.Club la Santa has been the home for the Lanzarote Training Camp for over 15-years!

Offering excellent facilities for any enthusiastic sports person, there are over 30 different sports and classes available for free to anyone staying on our training camp. This makes it ideal for those who would like to bring a partner. Mum and dad, would you like to bring 1 or 2 children? They go free!

Our standard apartments are 1-bedroom with lounge, bathroom and kitchen. Perfect for two adults with or without children. On site are 4 restaurants, a sports bar, shops and supermarket, all making for an easy, no stress week.

Running trails are on the doorstep.

Club la Santa, the perfect location.

JOIN US

BOOK HERE

PRICE PER PERSON (exc flight) £1295 pp

A £300 deposit secures a place for shared occupancy, £600 for solo-occupancy. Deposits are non-refundable in any circumstance and cannot be carried forward to a following year.

This includes a self-catering apartment on a share basis. Inclusion in the above schedule and access to all facilities within the Club La Santa complex.

A non-training partner is welcome to join a training partner for a cost of £1095 pp* and they are able to use all the facilities at Club La Santa.

Solo Occupancy apartment £1895

Apartment upgrades are possible on request – no availability guaranteed.

What is not included?

Food and drinks are all payable locally. Any additional day trips or excursions and flights/ transfers to and from the UK and internal transfers to and from the airport in Lanzarote.

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The first edition of MDS Cappadocia took place in June 2024. A unique race in a unique landscape. We speak with 71-year old Liz Ward who achieved her first MDS bling after multiple attempts.

Liz crossing the finish line to get a hard earned medal.You can read about the stage of MDS Cappadocia below:

Stage 1 HERE

Stage 2 HERE

Stage 3 HERE

And we have a full summary of the race HERE MDS CAPPADOCIA 2024 Summary

The hot air balloons at the start of stage 2Listen to the podcast on Apple HERE

Spotify HERE

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Gaiters for a desert race are an essential item. Quite simply, sand and feet are NOT friends. So, you need to do everything you possibly can to keep sand out of your shoes and keep your feet healthy and trouble free.

In 2024, Raidlight, the legendary French brand released the first mass produced desert specific shoe supplied with velcro sewn on and gaiter provided. I have tested them extensively and they are a great option if you want a one-stop and no hassle solution, my review is HERE – Raidlight Ultra Desert 4 Protect Shoe Review

However, many of you (most of you) will be using your favourite run shoe and will need velcro sewn to your shoe. Let’s get one thing clear, do not ask, “What shoe shall I use?” We are all individuals with different body weights, gaits, needs and speed. Shoes are very specific to the person. Read an article HERE How to Find Your Running Shoe Size and Fit.

Every year, the same question gets asked, “Where can I get my gaiters attached to my run shoes?”

Main gaiters brands:

WAA
Raidlight
MyRaceKit

So here is a list of current resources, this list will be added to as more names/ contacts become available.

Kevin Bradley is the man. He has been sewing gaiters on shoes for years. He has probably done 1000’s. Very experienced and he knows his stuff. Alex Shoe Repair, 103c Lavender Hill, London, SW11 – Telephone +44 207 2223 4931

FRANCE

Raidlight have extended its desert racing expertise by now offering the installation of desert gaiters. More information via the website HERE

USA

Jay Batchen was the US agent for many years and his strong recommendation is with Chuva Shoe Repair in NYC (212-924-7199)

Other USA participants have also recommended, Kosta Koutsimanis Norwalk Shoe Repair, Connecticut.

NETHERLANDS

Schoenmakerij P Heubel, Rechstraat 45, 6221 EG, Maastricht, Nederland

Also, Trailrunstore.com is recommended in Zoetermeer.

Perfecta Kortrijksepoortstraat in Ghent.

READ MDS The Ultimate Guide – 2024 Edition HERE

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The view from KyrkjaHome of the Giants 2024 has just come to a conclusion. And what a week it has been.

This trip came about through personal adventure in the Jotunheimen mountains of Norway and the desire to share and showcase this magical playground.

Baz at the summit of KyrkjaWhat is Home of the Giants?

A multi-day adventure, 6-days in total, through a magical and challenging landscape. Unlike a race, this journey was created as a finely balanced exclusive trip for up to just 12 participants. A challenge at a more relaxed pace, taking in an amazing route whilst moving light in a semi self-sufficient mode using DNT cabins for overnight accommodation.

Lake BygdinBased around the concept of stage races, Home of the Giants is about moving lighter and therefore faster with a minimum amount of equipment without compromising safety. All we needed could be carried in a small pack weighing approximately 3kg (plus liquid).

It is important to emphasize that Norway can have spring, summer and winter in one day. Never underestimate the challenge of the environment. It is all well and good being light IF you can move fast. You also need to consider the ‘what if’ scenario and should you become slow or a worst case scenario, injured and waiting help/ rescue. At a minimum you MUST have merino top and bottom, warm insulating layer (down or PrimaLoft) waterproof jacket and pants, hat, gloves and a bivy bag. I also strongly recommend a product such as Garmin InReach. Much of Jotunheimen has no phone connection, an InReach with emergency SOS button, for me, should be mandatory.

You can see an example of my pack below and the details are as follows:

Camelbak Octane Pack 600g
adidas hat 32g
adidas gloves Infinitum 52g
Hestra waterproof gloves 53g
adidas gloves 41g
Devold merino base top 193g
Devold merino base bottom 166g
Buff 43g
Haglofs down jacket 163g
adidas waterproof pant 125g
adidas Gore-Tex jacket 272g
Rab bivvy bag 110g
Underwear 98g
Gels 81g (for emergency)
Silk liner 126g
Blindfold/ earplugs 22g
Earphones 44g
Ricoh GRIII camera 251g (a luxury)
Sunglasses 18g
Bottles x2 90g
Katadyn water filter 52g
Toiletries 196g
Power supply 138g
Phone 136g
Garmin InReach 108g
Leki poles 250g

3379g

Staying at DNT staffed cabins provides the best of both worlds, they provide a bed for the night, dinner, breakfast, a packed lunch and they have additional facilities such as relaxation areas, showers and a bar. It’s the ultimate way to travel light in the mountains. Beds are in dorms or private rooms that depending on the cabin can be solo, double, triple, quadruple or five plus. Most DNT’s have a rule that irrespective of if you arrive and there are no beds, you will not be turned away, so, rest assured, a safe haven is always available.

OUR JOURNEY

Day 1 – Oslo to Bygdin

We departed Oslo bus terminal at 0830 Monday for a direct trip to Bygdin Fjellhotel. The journey taking 4-hours with a 15-minute break ideal for a midday arrival. The weather was grim with torrential rain for most of the way. It was an ominous start and constant glancing at weather apps confirmed that our week ahead would have mixed weather. It’s Norway after all!

Synshorn summitArrival at Bygdin was seamless and after a break at 1500 we departed in the rain to take in the summit of Synshorn (1464m) which is a great introduction to Norwegian mountain terrain. The plan was initially to just summit and return, a 75-minute journey at a steady pace. However, the weather, although still wet, was not cold and after long travel, we all decided to continue for a back-up and planned 12km route. We followed the ridge north to Heimre Fagerdalshøe (1510 m above sea level) with a great view over Bygdin to Falketind. We then continued in the direction of Synsbekk and connected to the ’T’ marked trail that would bring us back to Bygdisheim and the lake for a short gravel road section back to the hotel.

Day 1 loopIt was a great intro to the week and then we could enjoy the benefits of Bygdin Fjellhotel – a warm shower, sauna and a lovely traditional Norwegian dinner.

Day 2 – Bygin – Eisbugarden – Skogadalbøen

M/B BitihornIt was a casual start to the day with a hearty breakfast and then meeting the M/B Bitihorn boat at 0900 for a transfer the length of Bygdin lake (stopping at Torfinnsbu) and then continuing to Eidsbugarden.

Lake GjendeTorfinsbu self-service DNTBy 1100 we were ready for our first full day, Eidsbugarden to the remote Skogadalbøen DNT cabin. The route is considered very demanding due to the nature of the terrain. It’s very important when looking at routes in Norway that you never focus too much on the distance but more the time it will take to cover the distance. Depending on the time of year, this route can have a great deal of snow, so, be careful and do research in advance. For us, we had several snow fields to cross and all were in good condition.

Eisbugarden to SkogadalbøenDNT mark the routes with red TsOur weather was glorious, blue skies, white fluffy clouds and amazing views.

Plenty of water crossingsA short road section and a right turn and we were already climbing through saturated and boggy ground to Sløtafjellet. Then the rocks and boulders started.

Beautiful but hard terrainThis route has a ‘reputation’ for the rocky terrain and hence the difficulty rating. It’s hard to move fast! The route climbs up passing lakes and at all times you are surrounded by stunning snow-covered peaks – magical.

sign posts help keep you on trackArriving at Kvitevatnet lake you keep to the left and at the end climb up towards Uradalsvatnet lake, againkeepin to the left.

Lakes, rocks, snow and mountains. Perfect!Passing through Uradalen the route eventually reaches its high point and then the descent starts through more ‘runnable’ terrain towards Skogadalsbøen.

The terrain became ‘easier’ towards the end of the day.And more vegetation.Of course, there is a kick in the tail with more rocks and very closed in and dense single-track with lots of mud. We covered 24.5km, 670m+ in 4h 55m. Geoff and Baz were pretty tired at the end, and I think it’s fair to say that Baz had seen and experienced enough rocks and boulders to last a lifetime. My reply was always, 1this is Norway, this is Jotunheimen!’

A nice sight after a long dayMy girlfriend, Abelone, had initially planned to join Home of the Giants. Our intention, two groups of 4/5-people. However, in the buildup to the event we had 6-people cancel – not ideal. These cancellations caused many logistical problems and of course, there was never any risk of cancelling, but it did mean that Abelone was not needed to guide a group. However, she was on holiday with her son Håkon (10) and after summiting Fannaråki they joined us at Skogadalbøen DNT.

As usual, we had an amazing three course dinner, a lovely evening of banter and then a good night’s sleep.

Day 3 – Skogadalbøen to Leirvassbu

Day 3 with a moody start.Skogadalbøen to LeirvassbuSkogadalbøen to Leirvassbu is in comparison to the previous day, an easy route. Even though UT.NO describe it as a ‘very demanding summer route.’ Håkon had decided he enjoyed the group dynamic so much he wanted to also do the 19km route. He and Abelone got underway and some 30-minutes later we started.

Passing them early in the trail we had a group photo and pushed on. Today was a running day, albeit steady and relaxed. Geoff and Baz had big smiles; I think they almost considered it a rest day after what had been experienced the day before.

Green valleys surrounded by mountainsThe ground constantly wet and boggy, the weather was overcast and cloudy with occasional light drizzle.

Many water crossingsPassing through Storutladlen and onwards to Gravdalen it was a great feeling day. The views and landscape ever changing. After passing Gravdalsdammen, we soon joined an undulating gravel road that took us to Leirvassbu DNT.

Leirvassbu DNTOn the approach, Kyrkja (2032m) was to our right, shrouded in mist and clag. Today was not the day to attempt the summit. After 19.68km, 811m of vert we finished in 3h 34m. Abelone and Håkon arrived a couple of hours later, Håkon sprinting ahead with a smile. What a joy to see. Geoff and Baz were blown away by Håkon’s speed, enthusiasm and commitment.

Entertainment by HåkonEarly finish and we could then rest, relax, enjoy the Leirvassbu DNT and prepare for the following day. Leirvassbu DNT is a large and modern cabin with no dorms, a large bar area and an excellent restaurant. A stunning location surrounded by mountains, a great place for staying more than one night as there is lots to explore. It has road access, so, it can be accessed by private car or bus, worth knowing just in case you need a contingency escape option.

DNT dinner always a highlightThe weather forecast for the following was good and it was therefore decided we would summit Kyrkja first and then continue to Gjendebu. Abelone and Håkon would miss the summit go straight to Gjendebu and therefore miss out on the 2 to 3h detour.

Day 4 – Leirvassbu to Gjendebu via Kyrkja

KyrkjaThe weather gods did not disappoint. It was a stunning day and a perfect morning to climb Kyrkja.

Leirvassbu to Gjendebu via KyrkjaThe early slopes to Kyrkja, Leirvassbu on the rightAbelone and Håkon left just before us they made their way to Gjendebu, we soon caught them, passed and then we started the climb to the summit. The early slopes mix trail, rock and snow crossing with boulders everywhere.

And up we goOnce at the base of Kyrkja, the climb really starts and it’s a hands-on scramble to the summit. Cairns are placed regularly and at times the route is obvious. Other times, the route is vaguer.

Good hand and feet placement important.There are several sections with more exposure when sound had-holds, and secure foot-placing is essential. It’s not a difficult scramble but as with all these things, going at a calm and steady pace reaps rewards.

Slow and steadyGeoff certainly felt pushed here. He is not too happy at heights, but he pushed on, listened to to best route options and before he knew it, he was with Baz at the summit.

Job done!The 360 views here are quite magnificent. What goes up must come down and depending on your ability, head for heights and skill level, the downward route can be harder than the climb.

Coming down easier than going up? All three of us were soon at the bottom and re-tracing back on the trail to Leirvassbu and then at Høgvaglen we turned left and started to follow the red Ts on the route to Gjendebu.

Øvre HøgvagltjønnenThe route now is more runnable mixing rocky terrain, water crossing, fjell, single-track and of course mud.

Passing three key lakes, Øvre Høgvagltjønnen, Nedre Høgvagltjønnen and Langvatnet we were soon descending next to Hellerfossen waterfall and then passing through Storåddalen.

Make sure you follow the correct TsThe trails now were saturated and muddy and considerably greener than what we had experienced earlier in the day. There was also plenty of cows.

You never have dry feet!Before we knew it, we were running into Gjendebu after a stunning day of 25.69km, 741m of vert and 4h 42m on the clock. Baz and Geoff jumped in the lake, I got the beer in.

Day done.Sitting in the sun, I wondered where Abelone and Håkon where? I had absolutely expected them to be here before us BUT there had been a chance that we may, have caught them in the last km or so… Apparently, Håkon was on a mission to beat us, and he ran the final 3km! What an effort by him, incredible. We had expected them to take 6-hours, and they had taken 5, bravo!

Gjendebu is a wonderful DNT and the oldest. It’s wonderfully traditional and recently refurbished. Comfort level is high, service superb and food excellent.

Day 5 – Gjendebu to Gjendesheim via Bukkelægret, Memurubu and Besseggen

The view from the iconic Besseggen RidgeLeg 1 Gjendebu to Memurubu

Gjendebu to GjendesheimI took no photos for this day, the weather was too bad, so, enjoy the image above of a considerably better day with Abelone.

Our longest day ahead and the weather forecast was rain all day. We were committed with our route BUT as always, sense and forward thinking was key. Our route was a two-day route, Gjendebu to Memurubu one day and then Memurubu to Gjendesheim day two. To do the whole lot in one day does require a fast and light approach.

The first leg is 11km and at Memurubu we had the option to pick up the boat to our finish, should conditions deteriorate.

The early km’s follow a single-track rocky and muddy trail next to Gjende lake. After 4km you turn left and then steeply climb. This section, Bukkelægret, is renowned as being difficult, especially in bad weather due to the gradient, slippery rock and the multiple chain sections. UT.NO say, ‘Chains and railings in exposed places. NB: Do not go outside the marked path! It is the only possible decrease. It is better to walk in the opposite direction if you are afraid of heights or choose the longer route around Storådalen.’

The route up was fine and although the rain was constant, we were all warm and enjoying the climb.

Once at the top I made a silly navigation error. I turned right following a trail that leads towards Kjuklingen. Within less than a km I knew I was wrong. I stopped, took a moment and then Baz, Geoff and I backtracked. While running I looked to the right and could see the trail up the other side of the mountain and eventually, we picked back up the red T’s and we were back on track. A frustrating mistake but these things happen!

Travelling northeast into Lågtunga, between Grunnevatnet and Sjugurdtinntjønne and down over Sjugurdtinden. We had a stunning moment when we were confronted by a large male Reindeer. We dropped to a walk and approached slowly. At the time I expressed how unusual it was to see one alone. But, as we crested the summit, a herd of maybe 20-30 reindeer were visible, what a sight!

The final descent to Memurubu is steep, rocky and slippery – care is needed, especially in torrential rain.

At Memurubu we entered the cabin and took an ‘aid station’ break of warm coffee and buns. I changed base-layer to a dry merino top and prepared for the next section.

We had had rain all day so far, but it had been pleasant in type 2 kind of way. Baz and Geoff decided to wear tights, I stayed in shorts. The option to pull out and take the ferry was not really an option, we were committed to the task.

Leg 2 Memurubu to Gjendesheim

The climb out of Gjendebu is steep and I soon removed my jacket, there was a hint of better weather coming and I loudly said, ‘it is clearing up!’ Famous last words…

The jacket soon came back on, and the rain increased. I was now on my second set of gloves, good old Raynauds in the hands brutal in bad weather.

This route is one of the most popular in Norway. Many take the early boat to Memurubu from Gjendesheim and then return via Besseggen, an average time taking 7-hours. On a good day there are many, many people. Today, hardly anyone.

The terrain is hilly and rocky as we headed to the foot of Besshøe and then on to Bjørnbøltjønne, the highest point on the route before heading down to the southern end of Bessvatnet.

Now we were at Besseggen, the steep climb ahead of us and Geoff loudly saying, ‘Are we going up there…!’

I reassured him it was not as bad as it looked. However, the steep rock face has an extra challenge in the rain. We stared the climb and soon came across a group of teenagers frozen on the mountain unable to proceed. They were questioning the decision to come this way, and they asked Geoff what time the last boat was at Memurubu! Unfortunately, they would not make the last boat if they backtracked, however, the cabin would look after them.

Ahead I heard screaming and crying. It got louder as I climbed only to find a mother trying to climb with a young girl who was beyond terrified. I offered help but it was refused. ‘We will be fine; she is just very anxious and scared.’ No shit I thought to myself. As I climbed up, I saw her husband and another child. They had back-up help but I stopped multiple times to make sure that I was not leaving a potentially disastrous situation.

Geoff and Baz were making good headway, every 5 to 10m I would stop and make sure their line was good.

The 350 meter climb up to the top cairn on Veslfjellet 1743m soon passed and now the weather was wild.

Wind was raging in from the right, the rain was torrential and the visibility poor.

We regrouped and I clearly expressed that we NEEDED to move. It was no stopping and all running now down the, at times, steep and rocky descent to Gjendesheim.

This was without doubt the hardest hour of the whole week and clearly demonstrated how Norway, as beautiful as it is, can turn wild and violent.

Soon we were on the final stone steps that lead to the DNT and lake Gjende.

We were absolutely soaked and exhilarated with the day. It was true Norwegian mountain day, and we had completed the whole 26.1km with 1800m vertical in 6h 30m on what was a very tough and slow day.

All three of showered for a good 15-minutes. A cold beer followed quickly and before we knew it, we had another wonderful 3-course meal with Reindeer as the main course.

The evening was chilled and relaxed. We had a short concert of traditional music, and we discussed the completed adventure.

My offer for a following morning run was very quickly turned down.

A good sleep and the following day we departed at 1400 for a direct bus to Oslo and onward travel.

What a stunning week!

Thoughts and Summary

He got the T shirt For me, there is no better way to travel through the mountains of Norway than by cabin-to-cabin. What the DNT offer is a five-star service and it really is a privilege to have this available. A shower, a bed, hot meals and a drying room for apparel and shoes is stunning.

Few people travel fast and light, they prefer to move at a slower pace with loads of equipment and take long stops and plenty of sight-seeing.

However, fast and light allows for a faster pace, the option to cover more distance and ultimately, more relaxation times in the cabins.

You do need to be experienced and prepared to move in this way.

MagicalIn sunny and beautiful weather, fast and light is easy. In bad weather you need to be prepared, constantly making judgement calls and adjusting speed so as to ensure you are safe. Our final day a prime example.

We were well prepared and all three of us had the right and correct equipment for the planned adventure. The option to change a base layer at Memurubu for me was spot on, as was the decision for Baz and Geoff to move out of shorts and into tights. Despite the torrential rain, wind and colder temperatures, all three of us still had emergency layers of insulated jacket, waterproof pants and a bivvy bag available in our packs.

We all brought poles and on day 1 we used them a great deal, less so after. Geoff broke a pole on day 1 which was frustrating. However, when finished, Geoff said he would not bring poles next time. I understand his thought process, but, the additional weight of just over 200g is an excellent security blanket if moving slower or picking up an injury. Just learn how to use pols before.

The full routeDue to the nature of the DNT layout, sometimes we were not in the main building, and we all wished we had brought some very light flip-flops. I am now searching the internet for the lightest and most practical.

Good shoes are essential and normally I would never say YOU MUST get these shoes, but VJ Sport shoes and the amazing Butyl outsole are the only run shoes that can be relied on for Norwegian rock, especially when wet. Geoff and I wore VJ, me in the MAXx2 and Geoff in the Ultra. Gaz wore Altra and he had no grip – it compromised his enjoyment.

Norwegians have a saying, there is no bad weather, just bad equipment. It’s very true. We had mixed weather for our trip and in all honesty, it made the trip better. I never took my camera out on the last day as the weather was so bad, but I absolutely loved the challenge of making that route in bad conditions. Just a shame Geoff and Baz did not get to see those iconic Besseggen views down the lake and the surrounding area.

Finally, if you are interested in joining us in July 2025 for a similar journey, please get in touch. We will have 8-places available.

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Following on from the huge success of MDS Cappadocia, MDS add a new event to the 2025 line-up, the MDS Morocco – Atlantic Coast.

This makes three events now in Morocco, MDS The Legendary, MDS Morocco and the new MDS Atlantic Coast which only confirms that Morocco, really is a perfect destination for a desert adventure.

The Atlantic Coast brings something very new, white dunes, endless beaches and of course, the juxtaposition of the ocean as a backdrop bringing something very new and different to a Moroccan adventure.

The event will take place from January 25th to February 1st 2025 and as with all other MDS events, it will follow the same format, a three day race over 4-days with the option to run/ walk 70, 100 or 120km’s.

You and pristine white sandHere is a breakdown of how each stage may look:

– Stage 1: 25km – 30km
– Stage 2: 20, 40 or 60km
– Stage 3: 25km – 30km

Read MDS The Ultimate Guide HERE

Adventure awaitsMDS events bring a very unique challenge and with the distance options that are available, you can make these events as hard or as easy as you wish. With a considerable line-up of events and destinations, MDS are now offering a great opportunity to visit new places as a run tourist.

The Atlantic Coast for sure will be a highly anticipated destination.

The Schedule:

Participants will need to arrive in Morocco (Marrakech or Agadir) on Saturday January 25th (or before) to meet the MDS team at a designated point for onward travel to the race hotel.
Day 2 will have technical and medical checks with a day at the hotel.
Day 3 participants will transfer from the hotel and the start of stage 1 which will be 25 to 30km. Night in bivouac.
Day 4 stage 2, the ‘long day’ of 20, 40 or 60km. Night in bivouac.
Day 5 rest day. Night in bivouac.
Day 6 stage 3 25 to 30km and then transfer to hotel. Night in bivouac.
Day 7 day at the hotel, awards in the evening and gala dinner.
Day 8 onward travel home.

Desert and ocean, a stunning mix.Culture, adventure, tradition and relaxation, the Moroccan Atlantic Coast brings something new to the MDS line-up.

Registration opens July 17th at 12pm (UTC+2 / Paris Time) and the first 100 participants can save €300.

SIGN UP HERE

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A new VJ Sport shoe is always something to get excited about. Earlier this year I received two new shoes, a double whammy from VJ.

The MAXx2 and the Lightspeed are two new departures for the brand and I have to say, these are two very exciting developments.

VJ Ace ©iancorlessIn 2023, I received the VJ Sarva Ace – a winter studded shoe. This shoe was a revelation based on a much wider toe box and incredible ‘new’ cushioning. Review HERE. At the time, I fed back to VJ that without the spikes this would make a great new ULTRA shoe in the VJ line-up.

Well, the MAXx2 and Lightspeed take this cushioning and what we have are two performance shoes that need to be worn to be believed.

Today, we look at the MAXx2.

THE SHOE

If you read my shoe reviews, you will know I am a huge VJ Sport fan. To me, they have not made a bad shoe and gladly, they are not always tweaking or re-inventing shoes. The original MAXx I have used for many years and in all honesty, it has been my go-to mountain running shoe. The combination of foot hold from Fitlock and the amazing outsole make them unbeatable when grip and control is priority. The only downside to the MAXx was the lack of cushioning for longer runs. With 12mm cushioning at the front, 18mm at the rear and 4mm studs, they are a great shoe for up to 50km in rocky, muddy and mountainous terrain.

The MAXx2 takes all that was great in the MAXx and brings some key changes and features:

25mm and 31mm cushioning
SuperFOAMance midsole
Rock plate

These new features elevate this shoe to a new beast and it has now become my favourite trail shoe. They are quite simply, superb!

The upper is seamless, breathable and durable. The outsole, for those that know VJ still offers the best grip on the planet with 4mm Butyl rubber studs – no other shoe brand has an outsole that can compete with VJ. The unique FITLOCK gives superb foot hold which guarantees security and precision on technical and demanding terrain.

I could conclude here and say this is is the best mountain/ off-road shoe available on the market.

IN USE

This is a versatile shoe and where the previous MAXx had some limitations in regard to distance and time on feet, the MAXx2 dispels that and for me, this is now an all day mountain/ off-road shoe with supreme comfort.

The revelation is the new SuperFOAMance midsole (25/31mm) which I knew was superb the moment I tried the winter Ace shoe. The original MAXx had Poron cushion integrated into the heel and forefoot midsole, the new SuperFOAMance is a huge improvement. It manages to give everything that I need and want in a shoe, especially when running on more technical trails. I have great ground feel, great flexibility, precision and there is a delicate balance with torsional rigidity and comfort. The rock-late balances enough protection without adding weight or restricting flexibility. The propulsive phase is superb. And a drop of 6mm is a perfect sweet spot between 4mm and 8mm.

The toe box has been given more space, a ‘4’ on the VJ scale. The balance of a wider toe box and still a precious feel is a delicate balance, but VJ have done it. There is extra room and more toe splay without a sloppy feel.

The upper is not as breathable as other brands and there is a simple reason for this. This shoe is designed for use in harsh environments and VJ know only too well, if you make an upper too minimal it just won’t last. This upper is one piece, so, there is no stitching to cause abrasion – a winner. There is a TPU bumper that goes around the bottom of the upper providing extra protection and durability. FITLOCK has always been a winner and here, once again, this is a key feature of the shoe providing the ultimate foot hold. There is also extra eyelets so you can lock-lace if required.

The outsole is superb, as with all VJ shoes. Here 4mm lugs make this shoe a perfect all-rounder for drier/ non-technical trails and more demanding mountain trails that will have mud, rock and more importantly, wet rocks. No other shoe grips like VJ. The outsole is classic chevron in design with grip the full-length of the shoe. There is nothing more to say, best outsole there is!

The shoe sizes a little large, so, be careful when purchasing. With a wider fit at the front, you may wish to size down. I am typically a UK10 and I have a UK9.5 which weighs 263g.

CONCLUSION

This is VJ’s best shoe and one that is a perfect one-stop solution. The MAXx2 is an all-rounder and typically that would mean that it does all thinks ok, but no one thing well. Not so here, the combination of elements – cushioning, rock-late, outsole, fitlock, fit and comfort make this a superb one-stop trail shoe that excels for all day comfort.

VJ have always had a reputation for making shoes that are very specific, think of the iRock with 6mm lugs and less cushioning designed for grip in soft-ground, or the XTRM2 which has 6mm lugs and more cushioning. Here in the MAXx2 we have a middle ground that should you only ever own one pair of VJ’s, the MAXx2 should be the one to buy.

VJ Sport LINK

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Stage 2 startThe 2024 inaugural MDS CAPPADOCIA has concluded on a high, quite literally, as all participants and staff were treated to a surprise early morning balloon flight by the organisation to celebrate a pioneering moment for the MDS brand.

The Love ValleyFor many, the early morning sky filled with 100’s of balloons is one of those lifetime memory moments, to be given the option to fly, was a dream come true. From the airy heights, the full MDS Cappadocia route was able to be viewed providing a new perspective of the incredible journey that was only completed the day before.

Memory for a lifetimeAnd what a journey this MDS experience was.

As Cyril Gauthier mentioned in his opening briefing before the race, ‘Welcome to first edition of Marathon des Sables Cappadocia, but ironically, the sables element is missing here…’

Cyril before stage 1It of course came as no surprise, however, Cappadocia is very much a desert-like landscape, correctly though, the element of soft sand and dunes is completely missing.

Unique and specialOne may question, ‘Is this a bad thing?’ The simple answer here is no, each and every participant could not speak highly enough about this unique MDS experience and actually, many were very vocal and happy that MDS Cappadocia was a very new and different.

OVERVIEW

MDS Cappadocia is a 7-day experience following the same format of other MDS events that have gone before, Fuerteventura, Jordan and so on as perfect examples.

MDS team meet and greet before transfer to hotelDay 1 – Runner’s are required to travel to Kayseri airport and arrive on a certain day so that they are able to take a transfer, provided by the organisation to the race hotel. At the hotel, technical checks and admin take place. In the evening dinner is provided.

admin and technical checksDay 2 – Runner’s depart the hotel via transfer to the start. Now self-sufficiency begins and stage 1 starts. Runner’s run/walk 25km to the bivouac and conclusion of stage 1.

Stage 1Day 3 – Stage 2 starts at bivouac and runner’s return to the bivouac choosing the option to run/ walk 20km, 40km or 60km.

Stage 2Day 4 – A rest and recovery day.

BivouacDay 5 – Stage 3 26km which concludes in the Love Valley. A short transfer to the race hotel is provide. The evening is free.

Stage 3Day 6* – A relaxing day at the hotel or sightseeing followed by awards, gala dinner and party.

The balloon flightDay 7 – Onward travel.

*Runner’s were surprised with a hot air balloon flight, this required a 04:00 departure from the hotel to experience the magic of Cappadocia from the sky. They returned between 0700-0800 for breakfast.

THE RACE

Travel, admin and the race hotel was slick providing a relatively easy and relaxed start to the MDS Cappadocia experience.

Stage 1 had a bus departure of 0800, race briefing at 0900 and race start of 0930. I think everyone welcomed a relaxed start, however, the challenge of stage 1 was very real.

There are several key factors that must be considered for MDS Cappadocia.

It was hot* The heat for the duration of the race week was very high, temperatures were consistently between 33 to 36-degrees with a ‘feel’ on the skin of high 40’s. It was hot! * The Göreme Valley where much of the race takes place has an altitude of 1100m. This of course is not high altitude, but, the impact on breathing and physical effort was significant. * The route is considerably more challenging than other MDS events. Much of the route is single-track trails, mountain passes, gorges, tunnels, forest, technical trail, loose ground and it is undulating. * The vertical gain for each stage is significant, for the 72km it is 1767m, for the 91km it is 2243m and for the 111km it is 2576m.

Unique terrainThe combination of elements above made MDS Cappadocia, km for km, more challenging and difficult than any other MDS race, The Legendary included. If MDS Cappadocia was an equivalent 250km distance of The Legendary, it would be a very hard race.

This is no ordinary race.After stage 1, it was very clear to the organisation that start times were needed to be adjusted to allow for cooler temperatures. Stage 2 moved from a 0600 start to 0500, and stage 3 was moved from a 0700 start to a 0500 start. This quite simply was an excellent decision and it is fair to assume that future MDS Cappadocia will have earlier start times, especially on stage 1.

Bivouac was in a stunning location surrounded by iconic Cappadocia landscape such as fairy towers and Troglodyte caves. A very special place.

Camp lifeParticipants sleep in individual MDS tents in cells of 6. There is a communal shaded area with matts so that everyone can relax post-race.

Camp life is like all other MDS events, The Legendary excluded, as here the bivouac tents hold 8-people. Priority is to relax, hydrate, eat and sleep. It’s a simple life. Participants are self-sufficient and therefore they must have all they need for the duration of the event. The exception is water, at the end of each stage, participants are provided a 5L bottle of water which must last to CP1 the next day (rest day excluded.)

In camp, there is medical/ foot care to ensure competitor safety.

Flag markersThe race route is considerably more complex than other MDS events and as such, route marking is crucial. Marking consisted of red/ white tape and flags, and the route was very well marked. However, I do feel that the provision of GPX files would be a great addition.

Aid stations with medical teamsAid stations were superb offering a shaded area, an abundance of water and importantly, iced water which the medical team pour on heads and necks to enable cooling. Medical provision is at each CP. For stage 1 there was two CP, stage 2 depending on the chosen distance had up to five CP’s and stage 3 had two CP. If required, the organisation added impromptu water stations to ensure competitor safety.

A tracker for each participantCompetitors each have a tracker so they they can be monitored and in addition, there is a SOS button in the event of an emergency.

All about the finishThe event has cut-off times, however, the goal of MDS events is that each participant finishes, therefore, the organisation do all they can to facilitate runner’s crossing the line. Should someone DNF, they are given a free entry for the following year!

THE ROUTE

Troglodyte homesMDS Cappadocia brings something very unique to the MDS line-up. This is not a desert race, it is much more a trail race.

Underfoot, there are considerably more challenges with an ever changing terrain.

Just look at the photos, the route is a visual splendour of a very unique landscape. Taking in key areas of the Göreme Valley such as the Red Valley and Love Valley, the experience is special. A volcanic landscape, that has been shaped by wind, rain, lava, ice and erosion. Add the early morning spectacle of the hot air balloons and I firmly believe that Cappadocia needs to be experienced at least once. What better way to do this running or walking?

As mentioned above, the route is much more of a physical challenge, km for km, this is a harder race, however, as all the 2024 competitors confirmed, it is an achievable one… If it was easy, anyone could do it!

THE EXPERIENCE

Quite simply, the feedback from participants was a wow. From the moment stage 1 started, the visual splendour begins and that is consistent throughout the whole race experience.

Balloons at bivouacA highlight was the early start for stage 2 when the whole bivouac area was surrounded hot air balloons. I personally have experienced start lines all over the world and this was a highlight. It was completely mind-blowing and one that will last with everyone for their lifetime. It was a privilege and honour to experience it.

The last finisher emotionsThe race was hard, especially with the intense heat. However, the MDS option to provide three distances for stage 2 is inspired and it gives everyone an opportunity to challenge themself in their own way.

In terms of runner’s needs, this is just like any other MDS event, however, there are some key considerations: 1. You need good trail shoes with excellent grip and toe protection. 2. Sand gaiters are not required but small ankle gaiters are a good idea to stop stones etc entering the shoe at the ankle. 3. Poles (and knowing how to use them) are a very good idea for the majority of the participants.

TeamworkThe MDS team have these events dialled and with a dedicated team they ensure competitor happiness and safety. Of course, first editions are always difficult, they are an opportunity to learn what does and what does not work. The general consensus post-race was one of huge success, however, it wasn’t perfect and the team look for this, so, tweaks.

The surprise of a hot air balloon flight was an incredible gesture by the MDS organisation, I think this almost certainly will be ‘option’ to add to the race experience in future editions.

The post-race awards, film, gala dinner and party was a great success.

CONCLUSION

Read the daily summaries – Stage 1 Here, Stage 2 Here, Stage 3 Here.

It takes a dedicated team to make an event happen and it’s important to acknowledge Argeus Travel and in particular, Koray and Hayden for their on ground experience in facilitating the first edition of MDS Cappadocia.

The event brings something new and different to the MDS line-up and that should be applauded. There is something special here in Turkey that needs to be experienced just once.

The challenge is real, respect this environment. The combination of altitude, heat, challenging terrain, self-sufficiency and camp life is something special.

And finally, this landscape is very, very special it needs to be experienced to be believed.

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Iconic Cappadocia landscapeThe first edition of MDS CAPPADOCIA concluded with stage 3 and 25km’s. What an edition it has been…

Red ValleyThe MDS name is synonymous with sand, and yes, for sure, Cappadocia is not a desert, however, it is a desert like location and this has been one of the unique stories of the race.

UçhisarCappadocia is marvel for the eyes, the landscape, the features, the trails, the awe-inspiring views and yes, the balloons. Cappadocia is not Cappadocia without balloons.

Love ValleyThe heat has been intense, temperature was recorded with a high of 36-degrees, this was close to a ‘feel’ of 48-degrees. It has been a tough edition and as ones expects with the MDS organisation, they responded accordingly by bringing the start times forward. Stage 3 was no exception and started at 05:20 instead of the scheduled 07:00.

Love Valley – magicalToday, there were no distance options, 26km and 604m+ of elevation gain.

Red Valley and early morning balloonsThe opening km’s passing through the stunning Red Valley full of fairy towers and Troglodyte caves. Single-track mountain path and valley running and soon the stunning town of Uçhisar was passed before entering the Love Valley and the final km’s that would lead to the finish line.

Love ValleyWhat a way to finish a race, the Love Valley is hidden from view and full of scenic formations that bring a challenge of at times technical single-track, running through narrow passages and at all times, you are surrounded by the stunning landscape that makes Cappadocia unique.

Narrow passagesThe finish line, as one would expect, was full of emotion, 3-stages and 4-days and finally, a medal around the neck and a very welcome shower, meal and a bed.

EmotionEmotionHard earned medalBut the surprise for participants did not stop here.

The MDS organisation decided to surprise everyone with an iconic balloon flight to conclude what has been a very memorable and successful first edition of MDS Cappadocia.

Results HERE

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The sky came alive with arguably, one of the most impressive start lines I have ever witnessed. Stage 2 of MDS CAPPADOCIA was amidst the stunning hot air balloon spectacle that only Cappadocia bring. A wow!

The glimmer of a new day, the orange burn from the burners in the baskets of the balloons, at 05:20 stage 2 got underway. Today, the participants can choose a distance, 20km, 40km or 60km.

After a tough stage 1 for many, the 20km and 40km loops were going to be popular for sure. Starting slowly, the spectacle around the runner’s was just too impressive not to stop, look, film and photograph. One runner said as she passed, “This is the most impressive thing I have ever seen, this is truly magnificent.”

And so, MDS Cappadocia is etched in the mind, the unique landscape, the unique bivouac location and the dawn spectacle of hot air balloons, this is MDS Cappadocia.

An early start was welcome, the heat of day 1 was relentless, so, several hours of calm temperatures facilitated a good start to the day before the heat started to rise around 09:00, by early afternoon, temperatures were at 34-degrees.

There were lots of smiling faces, as runner’s tested themselves over a distance that was a challenge for them.

The terrain was constantly changing showing the best of what Cappadocia has to offer. Single-track, fairy towers, Troglodyte caves, lush green landscape, tunnels, gorges, canyons and so much more.

With three distances on offer, finishing times were spread throughout the day, in the 60km distance, Serge Fortini crossed first in 9:37:29, Hugo Brincard 2nd 9:57:54 and Alexandre Mallier 3rd 10:34:41. Maryline Demangel, Axelle Bellec and Augistina Gonzalez Fileur were 1,2, 3 for the women, 12:24:41, 12:47:25 and 15:17:55.

The final finishers arrived after midnight, a full day of challenge lasting over 19-hours of intense heat, beautiful views and challenging trail, a showcase of determination and strength.

For the 40km and 20km, we will need to wait for updated results to place athletes in the appropriate distance category, go to livetrail.com

Day 3 of the race is a rest and then stage 3 follows the following day and the conclusion of the first edition of MDS Cappadocia.

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Female participation at MDS Cappadocia at 60%The 2024 first edition of MDS Cappadocia got underway today, three stages with a potential longest distance of 120km’s and options to run 71.9km/ 92.8km and 110.5km based on the desired distance of stage 2.

A unique playgroundStage 1 25km

Stage 2 20.9km/ 41.8km/ 59.5km

Stage 3 26km

Bib collection and admin checksMany participants arrived in Turkey on Friday or Saturday with admin taking place on Saturday afternoon ahead of a relaxed dinner followed by a comfortable night in Suhan Cappadocia Hotel in Avanos.

Suhan Hotel, some luxury before self-sufficiencyStage 1 began with a relaxed breakfast and 0800 departure to the start of the race and the beginning of self-sufficiency.

The challenge aheadAt 0900 briefing began and at 0930, the runners departed for 25km and 678m of elevation gain.

Cyril GauthierIn contrast to MDS The Legendary and other MDS races, Cappadocia is not a desert race. Although the landscape has a desert feel, the route is much more single-track, mountain paths, grassland and of course it is all encompassed within the unique landscape of this area.

Troglodyte Caves a unique feature of CappadociaThe Göreme valley is captivating, especially if never seen before.

Single-track trails For the participants, it was the start of a journey of discovery and at each point throughout stage, the beauty and experience was one that was passed on to MDS staff during and afterwards.

A hot day, cold water at CP’s make all the differenceA hot day, with a recorded high of 33-degrees, however, a gentle wind throughout many sections of the race helped to cool. Main CP’s also offered iced water which was poured on the heads and necks to facilitate cooling the core.

It wasn’t all flat and easy.The stage was won in 02:29:40 by Keven Moncelli. Hugo Brincard and Alexandre Mallier were 2nd and 3rd, 02:32:41 and 02:39:08 respectively.

A unique and magical playgroundFor the women, Maryline Demangel finished ahead of Axelle Bellec and Gudrun Hespel, 03:10:59, 03:20:23 and 03:39:08.

Stage 1 finish and the bivouac for the coming days is a hidden away gem backed by the unique Troglodyte homes, cut away in the rock that makes Cappadocia so unique and special.

Stage 2 (Monday) has an early wake-op of 03:30, briefing at 04:30 and the start of the stage at 05:00. Runner’s are able to choose the distance to cover.

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The MARATHON DES SABLES is a unique adventure of 250km’s spread over 6-stages of self-sufficiency, shared by thousands of enthusiasts for over 38-years. In 2017, another format, HMDS was born with 70 to 120km distances, spread over 3-stages.

2024 has been a significant year for the MDS brand. The ‘HMDS’ format while still following the same protocols and format has now dropped the ‘half’ title and moving forward, events will be called MDS Jordan, MDS Morocco, MDS Cappadocia and so on.

Cyril Gauthier, a new era for the race ©iancorlessAll the races are now owned by the same team and while many may be familiar with the format and protocols for the shorter distance races, MDS The Legendary for 2024 had some significant changes.

Camp life and the desert, it is special. ©iancorlessPersonal Note:

Considering on this website I have countless articles on ‘how to’ prepare for MDS. It feels appropriate now to do a new post to reflect the changes and moving forward, this will be the definite outline guide for all things MDS.

A 360 experience ©iancorlessIn addition to a list of self-sufficient races, recently, MDS announced a new race, MDS TREK MOROCCO, this new format is not self-sufficient and while some of the content in this article will relate to the new TREK format, some will be irrelevant, so, please use discretion if participating in a TREK format.

MDS EVENTS

MDS The Legendary
MDS Namibia
MDS Cappadocia
MDS Fuerteventura
MDS Morocco
MDS Jordan
MDS Egypt*
MDS Peru*
MDS Trek Morocco

* Events tbc

WHAT IS MDS?

MDS is a self-sufficient race taking place over 3 to 6-stages.

Bivouac life.MDS The Legendary is the iconic 6-stage race (over 7-days) with a distance of 250km (+/-) based on the route, terrain and difficulty. There are no options available on distance and participants are self-sufficient for the entire race, the only exception is the provision of water and a shared tent (bivouac) with 7 other participants. An example of 2024 distances:

Stage 1 : 31.1 km
Stage 2 : 40.8 km
Stage 3 : 85.3 km (over 2 days)
Stage 4 : 43.1 km
Stage 5 : 31.4 km
Stage 6 : 21.1 km

MDS events start at 70, 100 and 120km for the shorter race format, depending on the race destination, there are 2 or 3 distances available. To clarify, this is not 2 or 3 different races, but the same race with the option to choose what distance you run or walk. As an example, the route is divided into 3 stages (4-days), to be completed at your own pace: walking or running.

– 70 km
– 100 km
– 120 km

Here is a breakdown of each stage:

– Stage 1: 25km – 30km
– Stage 2: 20, 40 or 60km
– Stage 3: 25km – 30km

The choice of the format is made at the registration. However, you can adjust it until the time of MDS.

MDS TREK is not self-sufficient and while similar to other MDS events, the format is much more a holiday experience, ideal for first timers or those who are looking for an active travel/ relax experience. Read more HERE.

THE MDS FORMAT

MDS The Legendary and MDS events follow a similar format, however, there are key differences:

MDS The Legendary is a 10-day experience

MDS a 7-day experience

In both scenarios you arrange travel to the relevant destination, arriving with adequate time to meet the MDS team at a designated meeting point and time. This may mean you need to arrive one day in advance to ensure you are able to meet the schedule as stipulated. From here, the MDS team then transport you to the start of the race.

For MDS The Legendary this will be straight to the desert and bivouac 1.

For MDS events, this will be more than likely to a hotel and the following day you will start the race.

In both race formats, participants stay in a tent (bivouac), however, the format is not the same.

MDS The Legendary use classic Nomad tents that hold 8-participants. By contrast, MDS events use individual tents organised in cells of 6.

In both formats, it is possible to choose, before the race, the people with whom you want to share the bivouac tent or cell.

Post-race you will be transported to a hotel and an awards ceremony and gala dinner will take place.

THE RACE CONCEPT

You carry all you need for the race. ©iancorlessBoth race formats, MDS The Legendary and MDS require participants to be self-sufficient for the whole race.

What does this mean?

Quite simply, you must wear and carry all you need for your race experience with the exception of the tent / bivouac.

It may sound daunting but it is not, it’s actually quite simple. You need to address the following points:

What you wear.
Equipment you need to participate.
Sleeping.
Food.
Water.

WHAT TO WEAR

Hat to protect from the sun with optional neck protection.
Shirt (short or long sleeve) with adequate protection from the sun.
Shorts, skort or similar.
Socks.
Shoes with appropriate protection and durability for a desert environment with a gaiter (typically sewn on) to keep sand out of the shoe.

WAA is a partner for MDS have specific equipment for desert/ stage-racing.

Because you have entered a MDS event, there is no need to buy new apparel and shoes. Quite simply, if you have items that work, are comfortable, cause no problems or irritation, there is no need to change them. If it aint broke, don’t break it. Shoes always create a huge debate and please find what works for you. If you ask on any forum, you will get countless recommendations but none of those recommendations are specific to you and your needs. Read an article HERE and HERE.

EQUIPMENT

MDS runner ©iancorlessAlways remember that with MDS events you are either wearing or carrying everything you need for the race duration. Therefore, it is imperative that you purchase the lightest options available (based on budget) and you keep luxuries to a minimum.

Keep it simple!

MDS specify ‘mandatory’ equipment for participation as specified below:

The Road Book provides all the info about the race and route ©iancorless A pack with enough capacity to carry all your equipment, food and water – eg: WAA Ultra Bag 20L * Water carrying capacity of 1.5L minimum. * Sleeping bag read HERE * Headlamp (which must be turned on after dark) + 1 complete set of spare batteries or battery. Make sure it has a ‘red’ mode for night. * 10 safety pins * Lighter * A whistle * Metal blade knife * Skin antiseptic * Signaling mirror * Survival blanket * Soup cubes (2 per day) to help the rehydration * Tube of sunscreen * 100 / 200 euros in cash * Passport or identity card (depending of the destination) * Official MDS medical certificate completed by a doctor (form available 3 months before the race). * Road book*

Each runner has a tracker for safety ©iancorlessWhat else do you need?

A sleeping mat is highly recommended to protect from the ground, insulate and provide comfort.
A jacket is highly recommended (lightweight down) for cold morning and chilly nights. Many products exist. An excellent combination item is offered by PHD but it does come at a price – HERE.
Poles are for many 4-wheel drive in stage races, Leki are highly recommended.
Stove – if you plan to have hot water, you will need a cooking system like those provided by Esbit. Please note, you cannot use any gas stoves in the desert, you must use fire bricks.
Pot – if you are using a stove, you will need a pot/ mug.
Spoon with long handle for eating. Such as a Spork.
Buff or neck roll.
Sunglasses are essential and think about protection in sand storms, goggles may be required.
Spare socks and Injinji are highly recommended.
Flip flops or similar. Many use the weight free slippers from hotels, however, they rarely withstand the desert.
Watch / GPX
Personal items: Tooth brush, toothpaste, hand gel, wipes, toilet paper, ear plugs, blind fold etc.
Emergency – Things can happen during a race, so, be prepared with some essential items such as needle and thread, superglue, zip ties, monkey tape etc. If something rips or breaks, you need to repair it.

Luxuries

MDS is and should be simple in format. Remember, you must carry everything, so, keep luxuries to a minimum. Many consider a small MP3 player, look for something small, light and with great battery.

Phones are an essential part of our daily lives, do yourself a favour and leave it at home. The liberation is extremely rewarding. Please note, phones are allowed, however, it is prohibited to telephone on the bivouac or on the course. If you want to make a phone call, you will have to move away from these places so as not to disturb anyone.

SLEEPING

A sleeping bag is mandatory, so, there is no discussion here. The combined weight of your food is the heaviest and bulkiest item, however, a sleeping bag is next. These days there are many options available and quite simply you want the lightest possible, with the smallest packing size with required warmth at a price that you can afford. Not all sleeping bags are the same, so, consider this. Down is the best filling as it is the lightest, warmest and packs small. However, ‘fill power’ is a key element of down, fill power tells you how much volume a 30-gram, or one-ounce, sample of down will take up. So, the higher the fill power, the warmer the bag will be for less weight, because that one ounce of down has larger down clusters that provide more loft and have the ability to trap more heat. These bags will be more expensive.

Brands to look at: Nordisk, Seat to Summit, Rab, PHD, Western Mountaineering, Wilsa, Lightwave and so on.

Note here, that you will also probably be taking a down jacket for warmth. This can be used as extra warmth and insulation in a sleeping bag. So, it is possible to think about getting a lighter, less warm bag and supplementing warmth with a jacket.

UK brand PHD has come up with the perfect solution with an Ultra Jacket and Desert Race Half Bag but is does come at a price. However, it is comparable with the costs of jacket and bag by Nordisk.

Sleeping mat is highly recommended. When you are not running or walking, you are sitting or lying down, comfort is key. Two options exist, inflatable or not. Inflatable provides the greatest comfort but with poor admin does have the risk of puncture. Sea to Summit provide excellent inflatable options with low weight and pack size. Exped have excellent closed-cell foam.

FOOD

Plan food in day bags ©iancorlessThe MDS events (TREK not included) are self-sufficient adventures. You need to bring your own food and carry it in your bag for the duration of the race.There is a requirement that you must have 2000 calories minimum per day. Please remember that from 2024, catering is not provided at MDS The Legendary and therefore you must have enough food and calories before the race starts.

Food is the heaviest item you will carry and is essential. Don’t skimp on food. Lay food out per day addressing key items:

Breakfast (be careful they are not too sweet)
Snacks while running (bars, nuts, dried meat etc)
Post-run recovery (usually liquid form is ideal)
Lunch if applicable (this could be another meal such as cous cous)
Dinner (dehydrated meal)
Evening snack (a bar)

Where possible, repackage food to make them smaller and lighter. However, make sure you keep nutritional information for the admin day. Pack food in day bags, that way it is easy to know what you have and importantly, you don’t take food you need for the next days. Keep doing this and you will be short of food at the end of the week.

Be organised with all your items ©iancorlessFood is personal and you must find out what works for you. Remember taste chances when fatigued and in hot environments, often, sweet becomes less palatable with a preference for savoury. Dehydrated meals will often be used for key meals such as breakfast and dinner, some hydrate well with just warm water, others need hot water. So, if you are not taking a stove, test this. Basecamp food is a good website that shows what options exist. After many tests, highly recommended products are Firepot, Lyo, Tentmeals and Adventure Menu. Personally speaking, Firepot produce the tastiest meals I have tried.

Make sure you add some treats to spice up your palette.

A food list for MDS The Legendary could look like this:

Dehydrated Meals x6 672g
Dried Mango 93g x 4 372g
Porridge 59g x 7 413g
Coffee 1g x 10 10g
Peanut Butter 33g x 5 165g
Honey 21g x 8 168g
Mini Salami 10g x 10 100g
Tropical Mix Bag 194g
Sesame Bites 27g x 6 162g
Dried Banana Block 270g
Mixed Nuts 200g x 2 400g
Macademia Nuts Bag 153g
Cranberries Bag 175g
Pitta Wraps 296g

Total Weight 3550g

WATER

Water is provided at checkpoints by MDS staff ©iancorlessWater provision, particularly at MDS The Legendary has changed. In past editions, water was rationed and provided at key checkpoints in bottles, typically, 10km’s apart.

For 2024, the new organisation changed this and arguably, water is now available, as required whilst racing. It is poured from jugs by MDS staff.

In addition, intermediate water stations are added when deemed necessary to ensure competitor safety.

Iced water – amazing. ©iancorlessAt key checkpoints, iced water is supplied and poured by MDS staff on the heads and neck to aid cooling.

Post-race, each runner is provided with a 5L bottle of water, this is used for evening cooking, breakfast and up to CP1 the next day. If you wish to wash or freshen up, this comes from the same water ration. So, prioritise food and drinking before washing.

THOUGHTS AND CONSIDERATION

MDS is available for all, be that racing snake or someone who is looking for the adventure of a lifetime. So, keep that in mind. A top runner will have his or her pack at the absolute minimum weight and will look to survive the week racing as fast as possible. They will spend the week hungry. You, for example, may wish to carry a little more weight and have some comfort during the week. Just don’t carry to much extra weight!

The pack you wear is a crucial item that not only must fit everything you need, but it must also be comfortable and allow easy access to drink. There is no one-stop solution here. We are all different sizes and have different body shapes, so, make sure you try options.Also remember, at the beginning of the race, your pack can be around 8kg, this adds extra pressure on the shoulders, so, make sure you have enough padding and comfort. Many packs now come with waist belts and this, for many, is a great solution not only for extra storage but weight distribution. WAA have the ultra bag which has been specifically designed for the job. Osprey have recently released the Talon Velocity 20 which in testing has been superb. Don’t be tempted to get a bag that is too large, remember, the more space you have, the more you may take.

Bottles are the obvious way to carry water, typically 2x 750ml on the chest straps. I personally really dislike this format, I find it uncomfortable and unpleasant. So, find your own solution. Bladders have always been considered a NO for MDS but I personally find the solution ideal for my multi-day adventures. If you are a ‘racer’ this is not the best solution, but for most, it is ideal. As always, bladders can puncture, so, think about this.

Correct shoes and gaiters are essential. ©iancorlessShoes will always be a debate and point of discussion. Shoes are personal and must be suited to you, the individual. Consider your gait (neutral, supinate or pronate), consider time on feet, consider your weight, consider how much you will walk (and then double it) also consider shoe drop and how much cushioning you need. It’s impossible to recommend any one shoe because of these variables. You will see top runners using a lighter shoe, remember, these shoes only need to last 20-30 hours. However, you may well need a shoe for 40, 50 or 60-hours. Do you need a trail shoe? No, you don’t need a trail shoe but I would say that many trail shoes are more durable as they are designed for the rough and tumble of variable terrain. Do you need an aggressive outsole? No, you don’t, but I do think some grip is better than none and therefore I would use a trail shoe over road. Protection? Toe box protection is a good idea as deserts include lots or rocks, far more than you may think. Do I need a size bigger? Shoe sizing does depend on what is ‘normal’ for you. I always recommend a thumb nail of space above the big toe, you don’t need any more than this. Recommendations of going a size is bigger is bad advice in my opinion. A shoe that is too large allows your foot to move, a moving foot causes friction, friction causes blisters and the rest is the same old story that I see at desert races all over the world. However, I would recommend a shoe with a little more width in the toe box, this will allow for some comfort as the days progress. If you are prone to feet swelling, discomfort, blisters and so on, get a strategy sorted before you head out to your chosen race. You will need a gaiter and while not always the case, sewing velcro on a shoe can change its shape, so, consider this. In 2024, Raidlight released a desert specific shoe with gaiter, I used them while working on The Legendary in 2024 and they were excellent.

Poles are a godsend, buy some and learn how to use them. They are 4-wheel drive.

You can be creative with food prep ©iancorlessFood is essential, make sure it works. Hot or cold water is a consideration and make sure if using meals that need rehydrating that they work with water at desert temperature. Never assume that water will always be warm because you are in the desert, just as we get hot years, we also get cool years.

Salt is needed to keep you in balance. Many foods contain salt so look to supplement that with the mandatory food cubes. Be careful here, for example, OXO works considerably better than Knorr. Do you need alt tablets? Do your research,, find out what you personally need and come up with a plan. Listen to a podcast HERE.

Avoid this! ©iancorlessFeet – make sure you look after them. With the correct socks and correct shoes, there is no reason to get blisters and despite what some people say, the majority of people do not get blisters. Read Healthy for Running and Walking.

Heat is difficult and without doubt, it’s better to adapt to heat before the race. Read about Heat Acclimation by Dr Jodie Moss.

Hygiene is crucial and difficult when self-sufficient. But set up a protocol not only for your benefit but for those around you.

Luxuries keep them to a minimum.

Toilet paper is essential, make sure you have enough and compressed towels are brilliant to freshen up when you add a little water.

Take essentials on the plane and wear your run apparel and shoes. That way, should a baggage disaster happen your chances of racing improves.

Have additional items such as a base layer, sleeping bag liner and other items that may be on a ‘question’ list for the race. On night 1 and before you go to admin, you can make final decisions of what to and what not to take. Particularly important if you think you may be cold at night.

What a journey ©iancorlessFINALLY

The medal! ©iancorlessYou signed up for the challenge, you wanted to be on the start line and therefore you are responsible for the outcome. Believe me, the ‘you’ that leaves the Sahara is not the same you that entered. Arguably, you change the moment you pay the deposit, the transformation process begins. Embrace the journey and apply yourself. Keep perspective, the MDS journey is an enhancement of you as a person. It’s easy to become obsessed, ultimately the majority of runners at MDS are enthusiasts, if you keep that in mind the journey will be a complete one.

Plan ahead, formulate a long term plan and don’t rush. The sooner you start this process, the greater your chance of success and the less chance of injury. Plan stepping stone races and don’t be fooled into thinking that you need to run marathons day-in and day-out. You don’t! Training is about ALL the training you do and not about anyone run.

Commitment, training and dedication. ©iancorlessIf we exclude the top 50-100 runners (who will also walk sometimes) the majority of the MDS field spend a huge amount of time walking. Learn to walk! Believe me, it’s a huge tick in the MDS box and rest assured that if you are able to walk at a good consistent pace (barring injury or dehydration) you will finish MDS.

MDS is an inclusive experience ©iancorlessYou are going to share bivouac with other people and you are going to have some serious highs and lows. These tent mates will pull you through and motivate you. They will become friends for life.

Legs, lungs, heart and feet will only get you so far. The mind is what will get you to the finish. Despite the hardships and pain, embrace the journey and mentally prepare for the challenge.

You. A pack. The desert. ©iancorlessMDS is a magical and life changing journey, it really is a true challenge of mind and body to race over many days, irrespective if you complete or compete. It’s a hark back to a more primitive time, a time without clutter and modern technology. Embrace this. Embrace the silence of the surroundings and the simplicity of placing one foot in front of the other, eating, resting and sleeping and then doing it all again.

You can read a SUMMARY of the 2024 MDS The Legendary HERE

MDS events HERE

MDS The Legendary HERE

Further reading:

How to choose a Sleeping Bag HERE

Fastpacking Guide HERE

Winter Fastpacking HERE

Walking with poles HERE

Walking efficiency when climbing HERE

Long Term Goal Setting HERE

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Countdown begins to the first edition of MDS Cappadocia, June 22nd to June 28th. A week long adventure in one of the most iconic locations in Turkey. A moonscape region carved by the variables of time and nature, famous for its layered history and unique geological features.

Day 1 Arrival in Turkey, technical and medical checks.
Stage 1 (day 2) will begin in Sunday June 23rd with two distances, 25km or 30km and a night in bivouac.
Stage 2 (day 3) Considered ‘the long day’ will have three distance option, 20, 40 or 60km with a night in bivouac.
Day 4 a rest day.
Stage 3 (day 5) like stage 1, will offer two distance, 25 or 30km followed by a night in a hotel.
Day 6 a day of leisure and in the evening, gala dinner and awards and a night in the hotel.
Day 7 travel home.

MDS Cappadocia, like the other MDS locations (excluding MDS The Legendary) allows participants the option to choose between 3 distance formats: 70, 100 or 120 km, spread over 4-days/ 3 stages. These distances are given as an indication and are likely to be revised downwards according to the type of terrain and the difference in altitude of the routes. The event is accessible to everyone, runner or walker, with generous time barriers to enable completion – 98% finish.

However, just like The Legendary, self-sufficiency is part of the race and therefore participants must carry all they need for the race duration (inc food) the exception, water and a tent.

In principal, the requirement per person is as follows:

WAA Ultrabag 20l with two water bottles (or similar)
Sleeping bag and mat (mat is optional but recommended)
Clothing for running – Hat, shirt, shorts, socks and appropriate run shoes with gaiters (when applicable) for desert running.
Sunglasses
Warm layer – (down jacket, windbreaker, merino top etc)
Personal hygiene products inc sun cream and toilet paper.
Items for food preparation (stove (no gas) if you require hot water, bowl, spork etc)
Food – Find the right balance between freeze-dried meals, salty snacks, compotes, soups… Without forgetting the food for the race (especially during the long stage): cereal bars, gels or other energy sources. It is strongly recommended that each runner has a minimum of 2000 k/calories per race day
Any luxuries?

The race has Mandatory Equipment

WAA Ultra Bag 20L backpack or equivalent
Capacity of 1.5 liters of water
A sleeping bag
Headlamp (which must be turned on after dark) + 1 complete set of spare batteries or battery
10 safety pins
Lighter
Whistle
Metal blade knife
Skin antiseptic
Signal mirror
Survival blanket
8 soup cubes (2 per day) to help the rehydration
Tube of sunscreen
100 euros in cash
Passport or identity card (depending of the destination)
Official MDS medical certificate completed by a doctor (form available 3 months before the race).

Weight is key, participants need to aim for the lightest weight possible without compromising what they need for an efficient and comfortable race. Remember, runner’s need to carry everything for their chosen race distance.

In comparison to other MDS locations (Jordan, Morocco, Fuerteventura etc), Cappadocia will bring a new challenge and environment. Located in the centre of Anatolia, Cappadocia is characterised by its fairy chimneys and Troglodyte dwellings carved in the rock. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This terrain is rolling with considerably less sand and the landscape is filled with fascinating cone-shaped rock formations. On good weather days, the sky is filled with hot air balloons, a key attraction for this area.

If you’d like to follow the first edition of MDS Cappadocia, a daily report and images will be posted on this website.

Interested in another MDS event?

Entries open in June for the 2025 MDS The Legendary HERE and new for 2024, MDS TREK MOROCCO which brings a new concept to the MDS format, read HERE for information and register from June 12th HERE.

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A key consideration for any self-sufficient multi-day journey is weight. Additional weight is just a burden, so, fine tuning equipment for your adventure is key.

In races such as Marathon des Sables, there is a requirement to be completely self-sufficient with just water and a shelter provided.

So, in addition to the clothes you are wearing, you must carry all the food required for the week, any luxuries and importantly warm layers: sleeping bag, sleeping mat, jacket and so on.

The debate,”Do I need a warm jacket?” Takes place every year and in all honesty, the most truthful answer is yes and no! It doesn’t help does it! The reason being, in a hot year, the need for a jacket can be very minimal or not at all. However, in a cold or cooler year, a jacket can be a life saver. So, the best answer here is usually have a jacket, take it with you and before the race, whilst in race location, make a decision based on the current weather and forecast.

Sleeping bag in some ways is easier to answer, yes, you need one! However, that is only the start of the process with a sleeping bag, you need to take into account key questions:

Do I sleep warm?
Do I sleep cold?
Am I tall?
Am I short?
Do I have wide shoulders?
Do I get cold feet?

And the above list can go on.

Also, budget is a consideration, there are many sleeping bag options and prices vary greatly.

Ultimately, for a jacket and sleeping bag we want the following:

The lightest possible.
The warmest based on our needs.
The most flexible system.

I personally have always been in favour of having a jacket, mornings can be cold and evenings can be chilly, so, the option of a jacket is great. Also, if you have a jacket, you can look at taking a lighter, less warm sleeping bag and looking to ‘boost’ warmth if required by wearing the jacket inside the sleeping bag.

With all the above in mind, UK brand PHD have come up with a potentially perfect solution.

The ULTRA JACKET and the DESERT RACE HALFBAG.

Before discussing in-depth, PHD understand the need for weight v warmth, they also understand layering and the benefits of top-quality ethically sourced down.

The ULTRA JACKET is super light at 200g and is filled with 1000 fillpower down, good for temperatures as low as -5 deg.

The DESERT RACE HALFBAG is a half size sleeping bag weighing 240g. This bag stops at the waist is filled with high-quality 950 fillpower down and is designed to keep legs and feet warm. However, the technology does not stop there. Understanding that deserts can be windy, they have added a neck-length sand cover or extender to cocoon your body, arms and hands to cut out air movement. This allows the user to regulate warmth and comfort.

If it is cold, you quite simply add the ULTRA JACKET and then pull the neck-length sand cover over.

This combination provides a sleep/ warm system for well under 500g that packs very, very small. Effectively, with this combination of products, not only do you save weight, but you increase flexibility and options.

THE JACKET

The Ultra Jacket weighing 200g for a men’s medium is a high quality product filled with 1000 fillpower down giving warmth to -5 degrees. It is a simple, no frills product designed to be as warm as possible and as light as possible. The outer fabric is windproof which adds to the warmth. It does have hand pockets with no zips, again to save weight. There is a zippered inner chest pocket. Standard colour is black but it is possible to choose red and as with all PHD products you can have a custom make with Hypershell or you can add a hood. You can also have a custom fit, specifying body width, body length and arm length.

Prices start at 498.00 UK pounds / 582 euros.

PHD say, “Our lightest sub-zero down jacket. A ‘K Series’ product. Warmth to weight at the limit of possibilities for extra-keen lightweight backpackers and mountain racers. Now also available in custom sizes.”

THE BAG

The Desert Race Halfbag is a simple, lightweight and effective solution for those looking to save weight, increase flexibility and still keep warm, it comes in a standard length.

The neck-length sand cover is a brilliant addition.The addition of the neck-length sand cover increases warmth and flexibility on windy and cooler nights. Using top-quality 950 fillpower down, this half bag is incredibly light and packs small. It has stitch through construction ensuring down stays evenly spread with no cold spots. As with all PHD products, it is possible to have a custom make, for example add a zip, have it made short or long, choose a colour (green, red, black or white) or you can add Dri-LX outer fabric.

Prices start at 342.00 UK pounds / 400 euros.

PHD say, “Designed specifically for desert racing. From the legendary Saharan Marathon des Sables to the Kalahari’s KAEM, and the growing number of events in the Gobi, the Atacama, the Australian interior and all around the world, these events have their own particular set of challenges to overcome. Sweltering 40 degree (C) race days can give way to 4 degree (C) nights – that’s cold enough for frost – in which warmth, sleep and recovery play a vital part in preparation for the next day’s challenge.”

Read about the down HERE

950. A newcomer to our range. European goose of rare quality. A high value alternative at the top levels of performance. We have introduced a wide range of options in 950 in response to the soaring cost of 1000.
1000. European goose down of unique quality with exceptionally large lively clusters. 1000 provides the highest warmth-for-weight performance possible from down and has been used in PHD products since 2008. Unfortunately, scarcity (and the fashion industry) continue to push up the price steeply every year. This rarest of all downs we reserve for the K Series, our lightest products right through the range from marathon ultralights to alpine kit and on into high mountain gear.

IN USE

Desert Race Halfbag with neck-length sand cover and ultra jacket with hoodThe system is absolutely brilliant and I have fallen in love with the weight of the two items, the flexibility to adjust my sleep comfort temperature and when it has been cold, the down jacket really gives a massive boost and pulling up the neck-length sand cover encapsulates me so that I feel I have a full sleeping bag.

There are some important points to consider, the effectiveness (warmth) of the jacket and half bag is improved by using a sleeping mat which adds comfort and insulation from the ground. Also, I intentionally chose a jacket with no hood as I preferred the lighter jacket weight and the option to add a hat or beanie to increase warmth. It’s really simple, want a jacket or sleeping bag to be warmer, cover your head.

CONCLUSION

The combo of jacket and halfbag is now, without doubt, going to be chosen fast-packing/ multi-day option. It just makes sense. I have a really warm jacket for sitting around. I have a really warm halfbag and when the two are combined, I have a really excellent and adaptable system for sleeping. The light and storable sand cover is really simple, use it or don’t use it, no worries, but the extra security and protection this gives is brilliant. PHD are really on to something here.

With high quality down products and lightweight fabrics, they compress and adapt when packing, so, adding these to a race bag after packing they take up little or no space. As ann example, I used two small dry bags (3L) by Osprey and Sea-to-Summit and packed the jacket and bag away.

Are there any downsides? Yes, the price. The jacket and halfbag in standard configuration will cost you 840.00 UK pounds/ 982 euros. That is a hefty price tag. However, if you look at the cost of a down jacket and full sleeping bag, the prices are comparable, +/-.

This offer by PHD does not come cheap and yes, you can shop around and find options that are considerably cheaper. I guess I look at this a little like buying a car, any car providing it has fuel and it is in working order, will take you for A to B. However, based on desires, budget and the desire for the best, you can do that A to B ride in a small Fiat or a Ferrari. PHD are coming at the Ferrari end offering a luxury bespoke product that is extremely light, packs really small, is perfect for the task that is required and for that, you pay a price!

Only you can decide if it is worth it!

I have been using PHD for over 10-years, I have used their Minim bags in the Sahara and the Hispar bags in the Himalayas. The ability to have custom features has been, at times, a luxury. My original Sahara bag had no zip to save weight, however, my next bag had a full-zip which allowed me the option to use it as a blanket/ duvet. The Ultra Jacket and the Desert Race Halfbag has taken things to a next level and in doing so, they have provided me multiple options for temperature regulation in varying climate conditions and I love this. Should I go to a very cold climate in the future, I could now use this jacket and halfbag in combination with my Hispar bag to give me excellent sleep comfort below -20degs, that is awesome.

Read about the PHD sleep system HERE

PHD have always made a superb product, it is made in the UK with the highest quality products and importantly, ethically sourced down, which comes at a price. They may be expensive, but you get a top-quality product and excellent after service and care.

Reviews:

“It worked exactly as described. I consider the temperature ratings accurate. We had a couple of nights when the wind picked up and the sand blew. When this happened I was grateful for being able to pull the sand sheet on the half bag up over my head and use the drawstring to keep the sand out” – Gareth Scobie (Marathon des Sables competitor).

“The sensation of immediate warmth in the Ultra Jacket is unsurpassed. The 1000-fill is so high-lofting, it puffs up as if a pump has been attached. Rare and wonderful.” – Judy Armstrong in TGO Magazine.

“For me the half bag and pullover was perfect, probably the best bit of kit I bought. To be wearing the top half as a jacket in the evening, then slip into the lower half was simplicity itself. It was plenty warm enough…” – Dain Jensen (Marathon des Sables competitor).

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Episode 247 of Talk Ultra and we catch up with competitors from the 2024 MDS The Legendary for thoughts and feedback with Cecilie Lehmann Gianneri, Natalya Platanova and Nicki Marsh.

Listen to the podcast on Apple HERE

Spotify HERE

The 2024 MDS The legendary was highly anticipated, after 37-years, the race came under new ownership and while the core structure of the race remained the same or similar, many changes did take place. We catch up with Cecilie, Natalya and Nicki, all three first time competitors to get their thoughts and feedback.

If you’d like a re-cap of the 2024 edition, please see below:

Stage 1 HERE

Stage 2 HERE

Stage 3 HERE

Stage 4 HERE

Stage 5 HERE

Stage 6 HERE

Interested in joining the 2025 edition?

Entry opens June 19 at 12pm (UTC+2).

MDS Legendary 2025

11-day adventure

April 4 to 14, 2025

Sahara Desert, Morocco

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Marathon des Sables, today, announce MDS TREK MOROCCO which will take place from October 20th – 29th 2024.

Registration opens June 12th.

Building on the format of MDS – The Legendary, the MDS Trek brings a new concept to the desert with 10-days of disconnection from the noise, clutter and chaos of the modern world.

Disconnect from the noise, clutter and chaos of the modern world ©iancorlessA 10-day adventure, spending 7-nights in the desert, the trek course will cover between 70 and 120km’s divided into several stages. The distance will be for you to decide based on your personal desires and ability. Unlike MDS – The Legendary, this is not a self-sufficient experience, therefore, participants will only need to carry a light pack with essential items.

No need to carry all the self-sufficient equipment. ©iancorlessBut this experience is more than just a trek, it’s 360 experience of escape that will include workshops in the evening on physical and mental well-being in sport, for example, “Athletic Fasting – Its Strengths and Weaknesses”, “Glucose and Blood Sugar Management” or “The Power of Breathing”.

Staying in double tents with mattresses provided, at the end of each stage you will be able to have a Berber shower and buffet dinner. For a small extra charge, massages will be available and in the evening, the option to purchase cold drinks to relax, share experiences and unwind in social areas.

An opportunity to share an adventure ©iancorlessThis experience is accessible to everyone and maybe an ideal opportunity to share the Sahara with a loved one or a group of friends.

Safety, as always is a key consideration ©iancorless Following the route of the Marathon des Sables, the MDS Trek Morocco will have 4 timed stages, as previously mentioned, you choose the distance. There are no cut-offs, so, pace can be relaxed and should you have any difficulty, you can be repatriated to camp and still able to start the following day.

Stage 1: 14 or 24km
Stage 2: 12 or 15km
Stage 3: – day 1: 19 or 31km**
Stage 3: – day 2: 19 or 26km**
Stage 4: 13 or 24km

Water stations ©iancorlessWater stations will be available along the route, and you will need capacity to carry 1.5 ltr of water, some food/ snacks and nothing more. The rest of your equipment will stay in bivouac.

Experience a night under the stars ©iancorlessThere is an exception, the **long day, split over 2-days will require a sleeping bag as you will spend a night under the stars in a Nomad camp with a buffet dinner.

Amazing team to ensure you have an amazing time ©iancorlessThis new format offers an opportunity to be active both in mind and body, without the stresses of a more demanding self-sufficient race. It’s a trekking holiday that can be used as a unique stand alone experience or as a stepping stone to another MDS event.

The magic of the Sahara ©iancorless* Day 1 – The experience will last 10-days with the need to meet in Ouarzazate on day-1 for transfer to the desert. * Day 2 – Will have technical checks, workshop and a night in bivouac. * Day 3 – Stage 1 * Day 4 – Stage 2 and in the evening, workshop. * Day 5 – Stage 3 part 1 with Nomad star night and buffet. * Day 6 – Stage 3 part 2 with return to bivouac and completion of the ‘long day.’ * Day 7 – Rest day with workshop. * Day 8 – Stage 4 followed by night at a hotel. * Day 9 – Relaxation day, gala dinner, night at hotel. * Day 10 – Onward travel.

FEES

It will be possible to sign up for this experience from June 12thand the price will be 1950 euro for the first 100 participants and then increasing to 2050 euro.

Done MDS before? Maybe you’d like to return to the Sahara with a loved one or with friends and enjoy a more relaxed trek holiday? The price will be 1750 euro for the first 100 and then increasing to 1850 euro.

A unique experience ©iancorlessSCHEDULE

The meeting point will be in Ouarzazate on Sunday morning, October 20th, 2024, to join the organisation and take transfers to the desert.

To get to Morocco and Ouarzazate, you can arrive at different airports:

Ouarzazate airport
Take a flight for Ouarzazate before the adventure and spend one or more nights at the hotel (at your own expense) then come to the meeting point on the morning of October 20th.
We recommend that you arrive before October 19th so as not to miss the shuttles in case of a delay at the airport on Sunday, October 20th.

Marrakech airport
Shuttles will be organised on Saturday April 19th in the morning, between Marrakech and Ouarzazate (5 hours journey). You can either:
• Book a flight for Marrakech airport and on arrival, take one of our shuttles directly to Ouarzazate.
• Spend one or more nights in Marrakech and take a shuttle on April 19th to Ouarzazate.

The return journey at the end of the MDS Trek follows the same logic.

If you wish, you can take advantage of the bus organized between Ouarzazate and Marrakech. These buses will leave Ouarzazate on the morning of October 29th, therefore you’ll need to book a return flight from Marrakech in the afternoon.

If you take a return flight from Ouarzazate, in this case you are free in the hotel-airport transfer and you can book a flight whenever you prefer.

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Sarah Munday, 3rd placeThe inaugural 2024 Lofoten Stage Run has just concluded, two experiences, the 170km Expedition Run and the 130km Adventure Run brought to you by The Arctic Triple team. Six days and four stages inspired by the Lofoten Ultra-Trail 100 Miles solo race, the Lofoten Stage Run brings the same route broken down into manageable chunks.

Epic landscape and viewsThere is no better way to fully immerse oneself and experience that magic that Lofoten offers. The routes journey to hidden places, often only experienced by the most adventurous tourist. Each day concluding with the Norwegian Hytte experience and local cuisine.

Norwegian Hytte – Reine RorbuerDesigned to be a running holiday, however, do not be fooled, those cozy and comfortable evenings are worked for. The terrain here in Lofoten is challenging; a mixture of all terrains and elements that can bring for many, the ultimate challenge.

Mountains, snow, single-track and amazaing views with Johan Cajdert.THE EXPERIENCE

Arriving in Svolvær on Tuesday May 28th, participants were transported to Reine, considered by many to be the most beautiful village in Norway. It is certainly iconic.

Reine RorbuerStaying in an authentic fisherman cabin in Reine Rorbuer, the 2024 experience kicked-off with a race briefing and then dinner.

Race briefingWednesday, stage 1, started with a boat trip from Reine to Kjerkfjorden.

What a way to start a journey.The route ahead, 39km’s. The opening 10km’s a real challenge with tough climbs, technical terrain, snow sections and soft/ boggy ground.

Lina and SannaRock, trail, grass and snow.Kvalvik beach offers some opportunity for flat terrain before a steep climb and eventually a descent to Fredvang and checkpoint.

It’s more than just running.A road section leads to Nesland and the final technical trail sections before arriving in the picture postcard, Nusfjord – a tough day!

Tzvetie at the end of stage 1Twin power finishing in NusjfordStage 2 at 34km’s concludes at Lofoten Rorbuutleie another amazing location surrounded by sea and mountains.

Early miles of stage 2 and epic viewsClimbing to coastal trailsThe early route to Napp bringing many a challenge, technical trails and mild hands-on scrambling sections before sweeping single-track with stunning views.

Hands-on scramblingMagical terrainRoad sections provide some easy running and link the key trailsRoad gives way to coastal trail and another road section before arriving at Lilleeidetholmen Marina, the buildings are located with water on both sides and direct access to quays and floating docks.

Lilleeidetholmen MarinaStage 3 for 170km Expedition runner’s is the long day, covering 52km’s with arguably the most ‘runnable’ terrain of the whole week.

Between a rock and a hard placeSnow fields add to the experienceTechnical aspects are reduced and much of the route is single-track interspersed with some road.

Johan CajdertThe finish at Brustranda Fjordcamping once again offering a wonderful Norwegian hytte experience of cabin surrounded by water and mountains.

This is LofotenStage 4, the final day bringing some of the most technical terrain of the whole Lofoten Stage Run experience, especially the climb to Jordtinden and the ridge that follows with some exposure form ‘airy’ single-track, snow fields and at times, challenging terrain.

Graeme Murdoch at Jordtinden.On the way down the ridge.The twins dominated each stage The final peak of Tjeldbergtinden a final challenge before the run in to Svovær and the conclusion of four magical days. After the race, a meal at the event hotel, Thon Hotel Lofoten, where the focus is some of the best local food from the area. A perfect evening to recap from the race and share new and old stories with your new friends.

Great food a feature of the experienceTHE RUN

Run, walk or hike.170km or 130km, one thing is for sure, running in Lofoten is tough and challenging. Terrain constantly switches from demanding and technical sections to easy flowing single-track. For sure, day 1 was a surprise to many and a warning of the challenge that would be ahead to complete the 4-day experience.

Always some snow throughout each stageDespite schedules for the 170/130km runs, this journey was all about enjoyment and experience, therefore, participant requests for shorter days, or even rest days were accommodated. The Lofoten Stage Run is as explained, a running holiday and therefore it should provide the right experience for the individual.

Reiner completed the 170km mixing walking and runningWhat was key was the unified enjoyment through the whole group of participants, key to this was the evening hytte experience and the sharing of a meal together.

Hytte in great locationsOf course, racing did take place, and Lina and Sanna Elkott Helander were the stand out champions of the 170km distance along with Johan Cajdert.

The twins!Graeme Murdoch and Tzvetie Erohina lead the way for the 130km.

Graeme and TzvetieResults though don’t tell the story, the Lofoten Stage Run was a relaxed trail running experience that brought so much more than just running.

WowThe weather played ball and provided not only pleasurable temperatures but also allowed Lofoten to be visible, this really is a truly magical landscape. Traveling point-to-point, on foot, experiencing the majesty of Norway. Stunning trails, majestic mountains, resplendent views, and all during the endless daytime of the midnight sun. It gets no better!

VIEW THE FULL IMAGE GALLERY HERE

Experience Lofoten.

Svolvær from up highExperience the Arctic Circle.

Pure magicExperience the midnight sun.

24 hour daysExperience the majesty and beauty of Norway under your own power.

Where the race startsWant to join the experience in 2025?

Go HERE

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Shoes are personal. Run shoes are very personal. Quite simply, we are all unique and our needs when running vary greatly depending on the distance we are running, the terrain we are running on and how long we will be out for. It is why so many shoes exist.

Last year I said my shoe of the year was the Merrell Agility Peak 5. It is a shoe that ticked all the boxes, comfort, great foot hold, excellent grip and a fantastic all rounder for trail and mountain running. If I was only allowed one trail shoe, the Agility Peak 5 would be my choice.

It’s fair to say, that Merrell are still fighting an uphill battle to be taken seriously in the run world, especially when compared to the giants like Hoka, adidas, Brooks, Asics, Salomon and so on… Take note, Merrell should definitely be on your consideration list.

With the announcement of the MTL Long Sky 2 Matryx and my love for the Agility Peak 5, I was very keen to give this new incarnation plenty of testing.

In contrast to the Agility Peak 5, the MTL Long Sky 2 Matryx is a completely different beast. Less cushioning, lower weight, lower profile and lower drop. It’s a very specific shoe.

To draw a comparison, the Agility Peak 5 is like an everyday car for the family, plenty of room, comfort and great for a full day out. The MTL Long Sky 2 is much more a 2-seat sports car that is has a very specific use and some comfort is missing in exchange for speed.

So, although the name has ‘Long’ in the title, don’t be fooled in to thinking this is a long distance shoe. It is not. The most relevant part of the shoes name is ‘Sky’ and the reference to skyrunning which takes place in tough, challenging and technical terrain and mostly over shorter distances between 20 and 50km.

A neutral shoe, in comparison to the previous model (the Long Sky) the drop has been reduced from 8mm to 4mm. This is significant is it gives a much greater contact with the ground and control. Cushioning is 19.5mm at the front and 23.5mm at the rear. The outsole is Vibram MegaGrip with 5mm lugs.

A key feature is the new MATRYX upper which has more durability and is designed to keep the foot cooler with greater wicking.

They have a gusseted tongue for excellent foot hold. Cushioning is via EVA foam insole and dual FloatPro Foam.

There is a temperature regulating footbed. A UK9/ EU44 is 259g and sizing is true to size. The shoe is 15% lighter than the previous model

THE SHOE

It’s a great looking shoe and one that immediately says speed. The white to multi fade orange and pink is striking.

Slipping the shoe on, the foot hold is immediately noticeable and with the laces adjusted and the sock-like fit, there is no movement at all. Exactly what you want from a shoe that will handle mountainous and technical terrain. The heel area is very minimal and there is a raised padded area inside that is designed to grip and hold – it certainly does, arguably they are the most secure shoe I have experienced in this area. The front of the shoe opens up to provide enough width for toe splay, but not too much room so that you would lose control when precision is required.

With a 19.5/23.5mm cushioning, this shoe is designed to provide a compromise offering cushioning but not losing ground feel and control. As mentioned before, the ‘Long’ in the name is relative and for most people, this is not a long distance shoe.

The upper construction is minimal and notably so at the front, there is token toe protection. Don’t be fooled though, this MATRYX upper is tough and durable.

The shoe immediately feels comfortable when you put them on. I strongly suggest you play around with socks to find out what works best for you, I noticed a huge difference in feel between a lightweight sock and a slightly thicker merino sock.

Merrell say the shoe is good for up to 50km. For sure, yes, 50km is possible, but this depends on the runner and the speed they are going. A top elite mountain runner may tick off 50km in 4 to 5 hours, whereas, someone else may take 10-hours, so, use caution.

The MTL Long Sky 2 Matryx is designed to be agile and nimble, they are! But this comes at a price on comfort and protection. I had expected more protection and ultimately, for me, that just wasn’t there. I could feel stones, rocks and tree roots through the shoe which did surprise me. They feel thin!

They are very flexible and the propulsive phase is very good. On the correct feet, this is a fast shoe.

The biggest problem for me was the heel area. In one area they are brilliant, the hold is fantastic, they are secure and there is no slipping. However, this hold comes from the raised cushioned area with the heel, no matter what I did or tried, this just rubbed and caused blisters on both feet. I must caveat here, I never get blisters. So, this just made the MTL Long Sky 2 Matryx unwearable for me.

The outsole is Vibram MegaGrip with 5mm lugs. Ideal for technical terrain providing grip when required on rock, gravel, light mud and varying terrain. I am still not 100% convinced or confident of Vibram on wet rock, especially when compared to VJ Sport or the Continental grip on adidas shoes.

Conclusion

There is a great deal to like in the Merrell MTL Long Sky 2 Matryx and if you are looking for something light, nimble, fast with ground feel for short mountain days or racing, this is for you. However, this all comes at a price. It’s a specific shoe for a specific task, just like a Formula One car. This is not the only shoe to have or use. It’s too specific for everyday runs, so, the MTL Long Sky 2 Matryx should be added to an already existing shoe collection and they should be reached for and used on special days. Given that Merrell sponsor the Skyrunner World Series, it’s unsurprising that this shoe is designed to specifically perform on this terrain.

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Transvulcania is back!

The iconic race of sea, to summit and back to the sea has returned to its roots and the people of La Palma. Few races, anywhere in the world, have the magic of Transvulcania.

It’s more than a race, it’s an experience that transcends running. A 360 journey of location, culture, emotion and a journey to the core of what makes the sport of trail and mountain running so special, a unified glory of experience.

From the early morning start at the Fuencaliente lighthouse, the pounding drums and guitar of AC/DC and the words, THUNDER, THUNDER, THUNDERSTRUCK…!

The blackness illuminated by the glow of 100’s of headlights and then the upward journey begins through a landscape that makes the most well travelled smile with joy at the magic the GR131 route brings.

Los Canarious offers an opportunity for refreshment before single-track of black sand and rock weaves through pine trees and the eventual magnificence of the route of the volcanoes coinciding with the first light of a new day. A glimpse to the right, the sky a mixture of orange and blue, Tenerife and Teide visible and suddenly you feel like a plane, floating above the clouds in what many considering a life-changing moment.

The route winds and climbs down the spine of La Isla Bonita. From the highest point in the lower sections of the GR131 (1908m) in the Cumbre Vieja, the route drops to the micro-climate of El Pilar, one-third approximately of the route completed.

From here, cloud encapsulates the runner, some easy trails eventually give way to climbing, a myriad of single-track that weaves left and right and finally you break through the cloud to the most amazing views of Caldera de Taburiente National Park.

Reventon arrives, it’s one of the highlights of the route. With 40km’s covered, the GR131 is now above 2000m and ever so slowly the route creeps over the next 10km’s to the highest point at Roques de los Muchachos at 2403m, a rollercoaster ride of undulating and at times technical trails that offer a 360 panorama of this stunning island.

What goes up, eventually must come down and what follows is a 16km drop back to the ocean; a relentless knee, quad and mind blowing war of attrition that must be overcome. The iconic zig-zag descent provides an entrance to Tazacorte beach and the final aid station.

Beach gives way to canyon, canyon gives way to weaving paths through banana plantations before what seems like never-ending road before the glorious arrival in Los Llanos and the roar of the Palmero people.

This is La Palma.

This is Transvulcania.

This is La PalmaThe 2024 Race

Men:

Dakota and JeshrunAs expected, the early pace was fast and a core group of pre-race favourites dictated the pace with 2023 champion, Dakota Jones at the front. Behind, Jeshrun Small, Jon Albon, Tom Evans, Dmitry Mityaev, and more.

Jon Albon leading the chase groupAs the km’s passed and the arrival of El Pilar came, Dakota suffered from the early pace and now, pre-race favourite, Jon Albon took over at the front with an inspired Jeshrun Small. Tom Evans, Thibaut Baronian and Dmitry Mityaev followed.

The elastic finally snapped and Jon made his move and opened a gap. It was on the final descent that Jeshrun relinquished second to his adidas Terrex team mates, Tom who had moved up from fifth and Dmitry who were now charging to the ocean in pursuit of The North Face athlete.

Jon arrived at Tazacorte and a course record looked possible. But as the climb to the finish came, the early pace and now heat was taking its toll. Jon was having to dig deep and the behind, the Terrex duo were pushing each other, Dmitry looking stronger than Tom.

But Dmitry did not attack… Maybe he didn’t know the 4-minute gap to Jon at the beach was reducing with each stride?

VictoryJon crossed the line, exhausted, the 2024 Transvulcania champion. Behind, less than 2-minutes later, the duo arrived, hand-in-hand.

There was no course record but it was darn close. One hell of a race.

Tom and DmitryAt the finish line, Albon (7h.03:10) crossed first, followed by Dmitry Mytiaev (7h.05:16) and Tom Evans who entered together at de finish line (7h.05:17)

Women:

Ida a three times championRuth Croft set the early pace and what a pace! For much of the day, it was a display of style, power and confidence. The performance only faltered at Roques de los Muchachos when a charging Ida Nilsson, three times Transvulcania champion, closed the gap to seconds.

Ruth – incredibleIt gave Ruth the wake-up call to push hard to the line, and push she did, not only resulting in victory but a new course record. It was a stunning performance that only confirms that currently, along with Courtney Dauwalter, Ruth Croft is one of the most exciting and dominant trail runners in the world.

Champ and new CRIt was glory day for Ida Nilsson, a La Palma favourite who ran another stunning race to secure second.

As always happens, there was drama behind and it was Nepali, Sunmaya Budha who finished third looking very fresh… There is more to come from this strong woman!

SunmayaRuth Croft (8h.02:49, record) won, Ida Nilsson (8h.16:32) finished second, and Sunmaya Budha (8h.20:31) closed the podium.

The Story:

As with all races, we have champions and we celebrate them. But the story of the 2024 Transvulcania is a return of the race to the island and people of La Palma.

“I didn’t have the day I wanted today,” said one runner. “But how can I be disappointed? It’s such a privilege to be on this island with these people enjoying what is one of the greatest races and places in the world.”

It was a sentiment that was echoed by many. There is something special here on this Canary Island.

I for one am already waiting for the 2025 countdown. This race should be a fixture for every dreaming trail runner and trust me, once experienced, one edition is not enough.

The boss, Luis Alberto Hernando, his last victory.Finally, I give a special (personal) mention to a true inspiration of Transvulcania, the Maestro ‘Luis Alberto Hernando’, a three time champion of the race. He told me before the start, I am now 1-hour slower and I will be happy with top-20. He placed 12th after Thibaut Baronian acknowledging ‘The Boss’ on the line, bowing, and allowing the master to pass. What a moment.

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Time to celebrate! Magdalena KlausFollowing on from the success of the 38th (2024) edition of Marathon des Sables – The Legendary (summary here), today the dates for 2025 are announced:

April 4th to 14th 2025.

Will Rachid return in 2025 for an 11th title?The timings will be as follows:

Apr 4 – Arrival in Morocco and meet in Ouarzazate for onward transfer to B1.
Apr 5 – Admin day.
Apr 6 – Stage 1
Apr 7 – Stage 2
Apr 8 – Stage 3 *
Apr 9 – Stage 3 continuation or rest day *
Apr 10 – Stage 4
Apr 11 – Stage 5
Apr 12 – Stage 6 and onward travel to Ouarzazate
Apr 13 – Free Day and Gala Evening Presentation
Apr 14 – Onward travel

* Based on ‘the long day’ coming on stage 3.

Currently, it is not possible to register for 2025, but entry will open on JUNE 19th 2024.

These are exciting times for the MDS brand and it is highly anticipated that entries for 2025 will flood in after the success of the most recent event which concluded just weeks ago.

Rajaa HAMDAOUA placed 4th in 2024.WHAT IS NEW?

PRICE

Well, first of all, the price. For 2025 there will be no additional price for UK entrants. In past years, UK entrants have paid an increased price due to staying at the Berbere Palace Hotel. This hotel will now be an ‘upgrade package’ which will bring a smile to many a UK entrant, for multiple reasons.

PRICE FOR THE FIRST 500:

€3,690/person

and €3,890/person later.

THE UPGRADE PACKAGE with Berbere Palace Hotel

€4,090/person for the first 500

and €4,290/person later.

Both offers are available to everyone, regardless of their country of residence.

Susan Grimes from the USA.NO CHARTER FLIGHTS FOR 2025

The meeting point will be in Ouarzazate on Friday morning, April 4, 2025.

Ouarzazate airport
Fly to Ouarzazate before the race and spend one or more nights in a hotel at your expense.

Marrakech airport
Fly to Marrakech the days before the race and go by *bus to Ouarzazate.

*Shuttles will be organized on the morning of April 2 and 3, 2025, between Marrakech and Ouarzazate (5-hour journey).

Timetable for the Marrakech / Ouarzazate shuttles on April 2 and 3 :
07:00 am: From the center of Marrakech (meeting point at the Kenzi Rose Garden hotel).
10:00 am: From Marrakech airport.
12:00 pm: From Marrakech airport.

The return trip at the end of the MDS follows the same logic.

If you wish, you can take advantage of the bus service provided between Ouarzazate and Marrakech. These buses will leave Ouarzazate at 06:00 am on April 14, so you’ll need to book a return flight from Marrakech after 2:00 pm.

A unique experienceTHE EVENT

Will remain similar to the 2024 38th edition and in summary:

The total distance of the MDS The Legendary will be about 250km’s, divided into 6-stages. The exact route and distances are given at the latest in the road book which is distributed in Morocco on arrival and transfer to bivouac 1.

Self-autonomy (food) is required from immediate arrival at B1 and then race self-autonomy starts at the beginning of stage 1.

The 2024 edition was as follows:

Stage 1: 31,1 km
Stage 2: 40,8 km
Stage 3: 85,3 km (the 3rd stage takes place on 2 days)
Stage 4: 43,1 km
Stage 5: 31,4 km
Stage 6: 21,1 km

CP’s with water and iced water to cool the runner.The MARATHON DES SABLES – The Legendary is a self-sufficient adventure. Competitors must carry all their equipment and food, except the water and the tent. Check-points are located approximately every10 km. Post stage, participants receive a water ration when arriving to the bivouac, for the evening and the morning.

REGISTRATION OPENS JUNE 19TH HERE

Experience the magic of Morocco and the Sahara.NEW CANCELLATION POLICY

Have peace of mind and benefit from free postponement insurance up to 7 days before the event, included in your registration.

A mythical crossing of the desert, 11 days of adventure in Morocco, including 9 days in the desert, a course of about 250 km divided into 6-stages, to be done by walking or running.

MARATHON DES SABLES – The Legendary an extraordinary race and adventure.

The elation of the finish Taking place in the southern Moroccan Sahara since 1986.

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Raidlight as a brand have been synonymous with desert racing for over 20-years, it was the brands USP and even today, it is a the core of the business founded by Benoit Laval in 1999.

It was around 2006/ 2007 when the ‘Olmo’ pack was created for Italian legend, Marco Olmo. A ground-breaking ultralight pack designed to carry many items with bottle holders on the front. From here, the rest is history with a range of packs and apparel that are specifically designed for stage and multi-day racing in hot environments such as the Sahara. A range of specific products can be seen HERE.

Ultralight packs, front packs, desert hats, gaiters, sun protect long-sleeve tops, tyvek top and pants and now a DESERT SPECIFIC SHOE.

In 2019, Raidlight created their first shoes. A bold move in a market that is saturated with choice, especially when one considers the R&D and manufacturing costs.

The recent Ultra 4 shoe with 6mm drop, 4mm outsole and increased cushioning has now been developed to provide the ultimate, one-stop shoe for desert terrain. The ULTRA 4 DESERT PROTECT.

What is a specific desert shoe?

Running in a desert, sandy or harsh environment, even snow, brings a challenge for a shoe. Shoes are designed to be comfortable but also breathable. The downside of breathable is that while it allows hot air to escape the shoe, this also allows sand and debris to enter the shoe. This is not a good idea in a desert environment. For many years, the best option has been to have velcro sewn and glued to your preferred shoe and then add a gaiter /such as THIS) to not allow sand to enter the shoe – it works.

There is a cost involved to this:

Shoe 150.00
Gaiter 25.00
Sewing/ glueing velcro: 60.00
Total cost 235.00+/-

For countless editions of desert races all over the world, this system is tried and tested. It really does work. The only downside, one needs to be careful that the addition of velcro to a shoe does not alter alter its shape and feel, so, once you have velcro added ALWAYS test and make sure the fit is the same.

ULTRA 4 DESERT PROTECT

Many brands have played with the idea of producing a specific desert shoe and notably in the last 5-years I have seen brands such as Salomon, Hoka, Merrell and La Sportiva specifically adapt existing shoes to make prototypes for elite athletes. We have seen this work specifically for Julien Chorier (Hoka), Mathieu Blanchard (Salomon) and Ragna Debats (Merrell).

Why have the brands above not released a shoe to market?

I guess the simple answer is, a desert running shoe is a very specific market and in real terms, it’s a small market. So, financially (maybe) the figures just don’t add up?

Raidlight on the other hand already produce gaiters, they also already offer a velcro stitching service (here), so, by adapting an already existing shoe with the addition of velcro and a specific gaiter makes sense.

Especially when this is all offered for 150.00 euro in the ULTRA 4 DESERT PROTECT.

I received my shoes in advance of Marathon des Sables, perfect timing. I wasn’t running the race but I was in Morocco before the race running everyday and in addition, I was working everyday during MDS in the same environment as the runners. Ideal.

THE SHOE

My first surprise was the weight of the shoe, they look heavy but they are not! For a standard UK8/EU42 they were 280g, for my UK9.5/ EU44 they were 295g with the velcro and 325g with the gaiter.

Not knowing how the shoe fit was my biggest concern, especially for a desert/ sand shoe. There is no need for ‘bigger’ shoes just because you are going to a desert (read a article HERE). Quite simply, if a shoe is too big your foot moves inside the shoe, a moving foot creates friction, friction equals blisters. A thumb nail of space above your longest toe is ideal, and when I say longest, this may not be the big toe! One consideration is width, make sure you have enough room for toe splay. Feet may go wider in the desert, so, be considerate of this.

The ULTRA 4 DESERT PROTECT were true to size and I therefore went with my standard UK9.5/ EU44 based on advice from Raidlight and they were perfect.

The colour way of red/blue/black really works, I like them. The red/black gaiter is also a nice touch.

If you have velcro sewn/glued on a normal shoe, the velcro will go completely around the perimeter of the shoe, this ensures sand/ debris can enter at no point. The downside of this is that the velcro can get damaged at the front when hitting rocks or on challenging terrain.

Raidlight have got around this by bringing the velcro up the shoe to just below the laces. This I love.

To combat sand entering the shoe where there is no gaiter, Raidlight use MATRYX material. In a way, this is similar to Gore-Tex, keeping debris out while allowing the foot to breathe. It works, I had no sand enter my shoe on any occasion.

The gaiter attaches as standard and comes higher up the leg with velcro fastening and the option to adjust how tight at the top of the leg. I actually never opened mine. I fastened them together the first time and then removed and added them like socks when in use. This worked for me and ensures the velcro has a longer life. You just simply need to remember to put the gaiter on first, then socks, then shoes and then fit the gaiter.

The lacing works really well providing plenty options for great foot hold and the storage pocket at the top of the tongue is great for keeping laces out of the way. Once tied I had no reason to adjust them when in use and they never came undone, partly due the laces being flat and not round.

A neutral shoe, sliding them on, there was an instant comfort feel. These are not bouncy shoes but they are cushioned and comfortable with notable excellent grip at the heel. When running, there is good propulsion from behind the metatarsals and notably there is excellent protection from rocks and debris. The addition of elastic (M-lock band) on the tongue allows for flexibility and support.

The toe bumper is solid and offers great protection from rocks and debris.

The outsole with 4mm lugs offers a great middle ground and works exceptionally well. I have not tried them on wet ground or rocks.

With 19mm cushioning at the front and 25mm at the rear, the 6mm drop sits, once again in the middle ground and is ideal for long distance running.

IN USE

Have to say, I was surprised. My first sand run felt very comfortable and the shoe performed perfectly. They provided excellent comfort, great protection, plenty of toe splay and the gaiter with the Matryx upper allowed no sand to enter.

The downside? They were warm! To be fair though, comparing to my other shoes (Hoka) with sewn velcro and the addition of a Raidlight gaiter, the differences were comparable.

The more runs I had in them, the better the feel cam and I would recommend looking to put 30-50km’s in them before using them for your chosen race or adventure. I do caveat that by saying they were great out of the box, but certainly several runs did allow them to just fit and conform to my foot.

I have no negative comments. With 150km’s now in the shoe and a complete battering in the Sahara, the shoes offered all day comfort without a trace of sand entering the shoe.

I will also add, this is a new shoe. They only came available just before the 2024 MDS. Despite this, I saw many pairs out ion the Sahara. I spoke to everyone I could and the feedback was the same, perfect shoe, great comfort and no sand inside.

CONCLUSION

Shoes are personal and the most important thing in any adventure or race is a shoe works for you and causes no problems or issues. This is especially important in a race like MDS when so many other factors and variables come in to play. The ULTRA 4 DESERT PROTECT offers a one-stop solution to a problem and if this shoe works for you, it comes highly recommended. It will certainly be a highly recommended shoe of choice for this environment in the future.

©iancorless“Unrivalled comfort, cushioning and dynamism. Designed and engineered to go the distance, making them the shoe for ultra trail runners. The midsole incorporates dual density technology, offering a perfect balance between cushioning and responsiveness. The lightweight design reduces fatigue while providing protection and support. Comfort over longer distances, while maintaining optimum stability over a wide range of terrain.”

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The 2024 edition of Marathon des Sables – The Legendary is over. The statistics say this is the 38th running of the race, but in reality, it is 37 plus 1 or maybe, it is really just edition 1 of a new era of the race?

There is no getting away from the fact that the departure of Patrick Bauer and the arrival of new organisation caused anxiety, worry, and many questions. In real terms, there may have been many runner’s deciding to ‘wait and see’ what happened in 2024 and if all goes well, they would enter 2025.

The worry is over.

Statistics show MDS had 867 start the race and only 60 DNF’d (did not finish) – These statistics alone are a success!

Laurence Klein, MDS legend.Nothing is ever simple and straight forward, so, lets look at the 2024 edition.

MDS

Every year, after each edition of MDS, I write a summary article. Some are more in-depth that others. For 2024 I provide a summary here and in-time, I may well come back to this post or write a new post based on comments and feedback, so please feel free to add your experiences in the comments.

Yoann Stuck on Jebel El OtfalThere were many changes for the 2024 edition and in the build up to the race, a familiar comment was heard:

‘If it ain’t broke, don’t break it!’

Cyril GauthierTo some extent, after 37-years, this was a valid comment, however, Cyril Gauthier, Ferdinand Charriau and others at MDS HQ thought differently. There was no spur of the moment and rash thought process, on the contrary, ideas and protocols had been tested on the HMDS format. They had seen success there and the idea, quite simply, was to bring that to MDS The Legendary.

It was a success!

No better feeling, the medal.All the the pre-race doubts, questions, frustration and at times anger soon disappeared as the race and the organisation unveiled the 2024 race and it’s format.

Cyril had used the term in 2023, ‘This is not revolution, but evolution.’ As the 2024 race progressed, this evolution slowly but surely converted the 867 and convinced them that the new format was a winner.

Oxo cube at CP7 on the long day, just over 10km to go.It’s still MDS.

It is still a multi-stage run.

It’s still in the Sahara.

It’s still tough and still around 250 km’s in distance.

BUT, and this is a big BUT, there are complete changes in the way the race is now run.

THE CHANGES

Communication:

The changes start before we even get to the desert with years and finally months of planning and tweaking. I think the MDS team will confirm here that communication, information and news could have improved in the early stages but as soon as the race came close, there was a significant improvement, so, we can expect that to not only continue but get better moving forward.

Travel:

Arrival in Morocco and bust transfer to the SaharaTravel plans and options changed in an effort to be more environmentally friendly and therefore charter planes were reduced to two and I think it is fair to say, that we can expect to see them removed completely for 2025? With travel options increasing all the time, it is now very easy to travel to Marrakech and therefore, travel options will and can be expected to be more flexible for future years. However, to facilitate travel to Ouarzazate and the race RV point, buses were provided from Marrakech and post-race for return travel.

Self-Sufficiency:

Self sufficiency is a key to the MDS experienceNo catering was provided before the race as in past editions, therefore, runner’s had to provide there own food before race self-sufficiency started. While some would have preferred a catering option, ultimately it was no problem and no issue. One thing was for sure, there was little stomach upset in camp using this method. That alone is confirmation enough.

Admin Day:

Admin day was fast, slick and efficient.Admin day in the past has been a long and laborious process that has taken 3-hours for some. This was changed completely and it was an absolute success with average processing times of 30-minutes. It was simple, fast, efficient and a game changer that resulted with less time in the sun for runner’s, less time on feet and little to no stress.

Camp:

Legends in the SaharaThe bivouac looked the same but there was a significant change, the circles of tents were made tighter and smaller making for a much smaller space in the middle. This made for easier comms and a more comfortable, homely feel. Each evening there was a small talk called ‘Legends’ that introduced 2/3 significant people from MDS history in a casual Q&A format. This was followed with relaxation and yoga.

Early starts:

The long day with an 0600 start for the majority of the race, the top 50 started at 0800Depending on the stage and the distance, race start times each day were earlier to allow for 2/3/4 hours of significantly cooler temperatures. The earliest start 0600, the latest start at 0800 for the top-50 on the long day.

Water:

No water rations and no 1.5ltr bottles.Water was in abundance, not rationed and in addition to CP’s typically every 10 to 12km’s, additional water stations were added on certain stages.

Ferdinand Charriau at CP1 on stage 2Cold water:

No better way to cool downEach significant CP had cool iced water that was poured on necks and heads to help with cooling.

Staff:

It’s a team effortVolunteers made the event a success with dedication, commitment and enthusiasm.

Safety:

Medical teams were at CP’s, running the race and in fast response vehicles.Much of the above: early starts, more water, water stations, cold water come in the ‘safety’ section but the race had medical runners, more fast response vehicles and more medics/ doctors.

Safety is a key element of MDSStock cubes:

Salt tablets were replaced with mandatory stock cubes. This caused huge controversy before the race, but, during the race I heard many comments such as, ‘stock cubes, who’d have thought it, I have grown to love them!’ Now of course, MDS is a self-sufficient race and just as one would train, test equipment, research food and so on, salt/ electrolyte replacement should also figure in this. If that is stock cubes, great! If not, make sure you have what you need. Again, only 60 DNF’s reflect that whatever was happening was working.

“I enjoyed them as either a side dish to my lunch and dinner or, on the long stage, during the stage itself. They worked for me, in addition to my own nutrition. No issues with dehydration or hyponatremia, and enjoyed something aside from the mostly sweet race nutrition.” – Stephanie Tang

“I used them in the evening, 1 as a hot “brew” and the other inside my evening meal. I did supplement the day with 1 salt tablet per hour. On the day I didn’t use 1 tablet per hour I cramped up significantly. I was on the fence of not using them, however I see the benifit and actually looked forward to my evening Knorr brew. Everyone is different but that’s just what worked for me, knowing my body and stomach.” – Maximus Baximus

Foot care:

Foot careAs per usual, foot care was provided and as the race went on, the demand increased. It’s important to remember, MDS is a self-sufficient race and so therefore, an element of self-care is required. This also helps avoid any wait. However, for those who had bad feet and needed to wait for attention, care was given to all these that needed it.

“It was my experience that you could see a medic if you were prepared to wait for one, there was also medics overseeing the self care side of things too.” – Matt Pearson

“…when you just ran 85k you don’t want to threat your own blisters.” – Stijn Vin Cauter

Tracking:

As per usual, each runner had a tracker for safety and so loved ones at home could follow.

The race format:

2024 was the longest race in MDS history. It was also 6 race days and not 5 with a charity stage. So, on paper, the race was harder…? The feared long day, typically on day 4 was now on day 3. This allowed for runner’s to be fresher, but to counter balance this, packs were heavier. In past editions, with the long day done, there was ‘just’ a marathon to do. Now, with the new format, there was still some 100 +/- km’s to go over 3 stages! The typical format of the race has been to run through the desert, point-to-point resulting in 5/ 6 bivouac. For 2024, just 3 bivouac were utilised allowing the race to concentrate on what many considered, the best part of the Sahara – it worked!

Stage 3 was stunningMDS The Legendary

Every year, MDS has challenges. If we look at the last 4-years, the challenges have been very significant:

2020 Covid.

2021 Intense heat, norovirus and the highest DNF rate in MDS history.

2022 Cooler temperatures and even some rain.

2023 Intense heat and sandstorms.

It was very clear that the new management wanted to learn from 2020 to 2023 and make sure that the 2024 edition, as much as possible, facilitated increased safety and a higher completion rate.

Nothing like the emotion of the finish.The figures speak for themselves, just 60 DNF’s. A success!

Now of course, many factors come into play when discussing DNF rates and to be fair, 2024 was a good year with no excessive heat and the new protocols as discussed above. Having experienced 11 MDS, 2024 was not a hot year. For sure it had its moments, particularly on stage 3 and stage 4 between midday and 5pm, but with earlier starts, typical temps of 30-33 degrees and often wind, conditions were good.

A trickle of cold water at each CP makes a huge differenceThere was an abundance of sand storms and a day did not pass without the presence of wind, some days were worse than others. However, there was never one of those full-on white out days.

Wind and sand on admin dayThe route was a classic, taking in ‘the best’ of the region, the long day in particular was beautiful. Some days were easier than others, ultimately though, the route was a showcase for Morocco and the Sahara.

Epic landscapeEveryday, CP’s and the finish line was a party with motivated volunteers and music. The final day finish, at times, was like a rave with a DJ and a full-on party mode.

“First time running, so cannot compare, but absolutely loved the event . From start to finish, I have nothing but praise. Amazing staff and volunteers.” – Julianna Ambrosi

What a team of volunteers from all over the worldTo sum up, the runner was placed first (correctly) and the organisation facilitated, as best as possible, a finish.

“First time for me so don’t have any comparison but having UK volunteers was great. Especially at the checkpoints when a friendly face and some words of encouragement instantly made things better.” – Si Brewington

The after party, awards, film show and celebration was top notch – a great finish.

THE RACE

Rachid, king of the SaharaRachid El Morabity and Aziza El Amrany were crowned champions. Rachid obtaining his 10th title and Aziza gaining her first.

The El Morabity once again used tactics for victory, Aziz Yachou could only watch on and fight as hard as possible, hoping that one of the duo would have a bad day… Bad days never came. Mohamed ‘played’ a bad day on stage 5 to relinquish time for his brother. It was just a game, just a like chess or a domestique in cycling.

It was this closeFor the women, Aziza El Amrany was in a race on her own. She was head and shoulders above the competition and gave a dominant performance.

Aziza flyingAziza Raji, who has won MDS before and earlier in the year won Omand Desert Marathon placed 2nd and UK’s Gemma Game, once again placed 3rd. This Gemma’s 3rd time placing 3rd.

Summary articles:

Pre Race here
Stage 1 here
Stage 2 here
Stage 3 here
Stage 4 here
Stage 5 here
Stage 6 here

Gemma GameFINAL CONCLUSION

The magic of the SaharaThis is not an in-depth analysis of the 2024 MDS The Legendary, that will follow with more feedback and analysis. However, with thoughts and ideas fresh in the mind, it’s good to have immediate analysis and put thoughts down. I think I can safely say that the race can be summed up in one word, SUCCESSFUL.

What have I missed? I know I will have missed something, so, please let me know.

There may have been some controversy, worries and anxiety in the build up but quite quickly that evaporated.

MDS The Legendary may not be perfect yet, but for the runner, the 2024 edition came close.

If you hesitated placing an entry for 2024, my advice is to act quick for 2025. I firmly believe that once participants share their positive experiences, entries will fly in.

CALL FOR COMMENTS

I welcome you to share experiences, the highs and the lows. The positives and any negatives. The MDS will grow and become better with more feedback.

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Time allowance 06-hours 30-minutes/ 0630am start

The 2024 Marathon des Sables – The Legendary is over. The race concluded with stage 6 and 21.1km to cover; challenging terrain of stony plateau, small dunes, an ascent to Jebel Mefatigbzef, wadi, and a palm grove finish – the MDS medal hard earned! Rachid El Morabity and Aziza El Amrany the champions!

Camp lifeOnce again it was an early start as everyone had to prepare for an 0630 start time.

Yoann StuckThe last day was all about survival and getting the job done as quickly as possible, crossing the line and receiving the medal. The finish line for 2024 incredible, it was full of tears, emotion, relief and laughter; all accompanied by a DJ and party tunes. Quite a way to finish the race.

The medalHowever, while the women’s race was decided early on and the top-3 places confirmed, the men’s race was a potential nail biter.

The El Morabity brothers had played their trump card on stage 5 and now Rachid could smell a 10th victory, however, he would need to perform at a top level to make this happen and make sure Aziz Yachou did not attack and pull back time.

The trio started fast and it stayed that way for the duration of the 21.1km’s. Aziz looking to break Rachid.

No matter how Aziz tried, Rachid responded and as the finish came in sight, the 9 times MDS champion pulled away, removed his Moroccan flag from his pack and secured a 10th victory. Mohamed eased up making sure that Rachid pulled back the required seconds to win overall, but not so many seconds that he would lose 2nd place.

Aziza El Emrany finally took the MDS top slot after many years coming close. It was great to see and one that is really deserved, she was in incredible form this year. Aziza Raji placed and for the third time, Gemma Game placed 3rd again.

The story though was all the legends who crossed the line and achieved greatness in making it through the Sahara to place a medal around their neck.

The 2024 edition has proven to be a memorable one, with a new organisation and many changes, many feared the race would lose something, not so. The opposite, the general consensus has been approval and open appreciation for what repeat MDS participants have said, ‘the best yet!’

As in any race, some don’t make the finish. For the 2024 MDS, at the time of writing, only 60 are DNF’s, this is from 867 starters.

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Victory for RachidTime allowance 09-hours 30-minutes / 0700am start

B3 and back to B3, the heart stage at 31.4km’s takes place in a new area for Marathon des Sables.

SunriseOne could say that this is a classic MDS stage with a little of everything and while the participants may be feeling a little too tired to enjoy the views, there is much to appreciate here.

Laurence KleinJebel Tafeguenat a highlight followed by wadi, stony terrain and small dunes. CP’s ease the journey at 6.8km, 13km and 23km.

Easy start to the dayThe day started under cloud and cool temperatures after a night of sandstorms. The early pace easy, with Rachid El Morabity and Mohamed somewhere in the middle of the pack. However, this soon changed with Aziz Yachou dictating the pace.

Rachid El Morabity followed and the race was on.

Was this the day that Mohamed El Morabity would relinquish his lead and allow his brother the opportunity for a 10th MDS title? The simple answer, yes!

Full flightAs the stage progressed, Rachid and Aziz pushed a relentless pace and Mohamed dropped farther and farther back.

Mohamed watched the race pull away, strapping on his leg…Within the final 8km, the duo of Rachid were at full pace, it was superb to watch as the master, Mr MDS, Rachid El Morabity opened a gap pushing at almost 17km’s and hour.

Aziz YachouAziz grimaced trying to keep up. This was the make or break day and Rachid crossed the line in 2:11:43. Aziz followed with 2:12:23.

Aziz watching Rachid pull away!Now, what time was Mohamed going to cross in? No doubt he was calculating a pace to make it all very close for the last day, his time, 3:04:06 (35th place) and 52:23 after Rachid.

The ranking going in to the last stage:

Mohamed El Morabity 19:19:39
Rachid El Morabity 19:20:14 (35 seconds behind)
Aziz Yachou 19:22:30 (2:51:00 behind)

It’s all becoming a blur.The strategy for stage 6 is simple, Mohamed will recover from his leg problem but relinquish the 35 seconds to his brother whist also making sure he does not lose time to Aziz so that he finishes second. It has been a stunning El Morabity game plan, once again!

Aziza El Amrany and Rziza RajiThe Aziza’s ran together today and crosssed in 3:15:01. Rajaa Hamdaoua 3rd in 3:28:52 and Gemma Game 5th in 3:54:54.

Rajaa 3rd on stageStage 6 for the women will be casual with Azia El Amrany secure in 1st, Aziza Raji secure in 2nd and Gemma Game secure in 3rd.

It’s all getting too much for some.You can receive daily updates and reports on this website. Follow on IG @iancorlessphotography and @mdslegendary

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Time allowance 12-hours 45-minutes / 0630am and 0800 start (top 150 ranked)

The fall out from the long day is always hard. Bodies are now tired and normally, many would be saying, ‘just a marathon to go!’ But not for the 2024 edition.

Aziz Yachou Stage 4 is 43.2km’s and to follow, stage 5 and stage 6 at 31.4km and 21.1km respectively.

Travelling north all the way to B3, this is a tough day and probably will be remembered as the soft-sand day, especially as the most challenging terrain comes at the end.

Sand and heatWith 3 CP’s at 10km, 22.9km and 30.1km, the severity of the stage is reflected with ‘additional’ water stations at 17km 37.7km.

Cooling off at the CP’sWhile the early km’s allowed for easier terrain with cooler temperatures, the kick is in the tail with relentless sand and dunes from 22km all the way to the finish with increasing heat, expected at a 35-degree high, but feeling much hotter than 40-degrees for the runner’s. A tough day!

Rachid in the early 10km’sRachid El Morabity dictated the early pace with Aziz and Mohamed behind.

MohamedThe trio mixed it up but by the halfway point they were all together.

Two company, three a crowdIn the closing 10km, Rachid made a notable kick and pulled away for the stage win, Aziz and Mohamed behind 3:13:24 for Rachid and 3:14:59 for the duo.

AzizaAziz E Amrany has been at another level this year and once again she dominated the stage from the front with another stage win in 4:29:41.

Aziza RajiAziza Raji followed looking relaxed and strong with a secure 2nd place in 4:53:08.

Adriana MoserSadly, 3rd placed runner Adriana Moser had to withdraw from the race at one of the CP’s opening the door for Gemma Game who has placed 3rd at MDS twice in the past; it maybe three times a charm! However, it was Rajaa Hamdaoua who was 3rd on the stage with 5:09:59.

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Aziza El AmranyTime allowance 35-hours / 0600 and 0730am start

Stage 3, the feared ‘Long Day’ coming earlier in the race requires respect. Quite simply, with 3 stages still to go, energy management is key. However, it was a decision of the new organisation, to bring the long day earlier to allow participants to be fresher and have more energy for the challenge ahead. Also, with earlier starts, cooler temperatures for the early hours.

The route is a classic and arguably, I would say it is the most beautiful route of all the MDS I have experienced. It’s a tough one though!

From B2 the stoney climb to the summit of Jebel El Otfal is followed by the steep and sandy descent before a long flat run along the plateau before climbing and traversing the ridge of Jebel Joha Baba Ali, for me, one the best parts of the whole race! Another ridge follows before stoney ground and sand leads the route close to Ramlia and CP5. From here, the march continues.

Magical landscapeBa Halou, Oued Rheris, Ras Kemouna, the salt flats, the iconic El Maharch and then a return to B2. This is a highlight tour of the Sahara that mixes plateau, technical terrain and lots of soft sand.

The 0600 startWith 7 CP’s: 12.5km, 24.5km, 35.2km, 43km, 51km, 63km and 74.5km, the requirement for extra water is important and therefore at CP1, runner’s were provided an additional 1.5ltr bottle so that they could increase their carrying capacity for the stage.

The majority of the field started at 0600 and the top-50 at 0730. While the top men and women would look to push the envelope, the early starts would mean a finish in daylight. For most, this stage is about survival and many went through the night and into the next day to get the job done.

It got hot…The winds had eased and the temperatures rose reaching a high of 33-degrees on the stage and a ”feel’ of 40-degrees during the mid afternoon. It was certainly a day that took it’s toll with many runner’s requiring attention and of course there were sadly DNF’s – a confirmed number to follow.

Starting 90-minutes after the masses, the top-50 were soon at Jebel El Otfal and the charge lead by Rachid El Morabity for the men and Aziza El Amrany for the women.

Rachid leading early on After the first ridge, the format was the same, Rachid pusued by his brother Mohamed and Aziz Yachou, with Aziza Raji pursuing her Moroccan friend.

Mohamed takes the leadBy the second ridge, Mohamed was in the lead, Aziz followed and then Rachid, with CP2 close, a plan was coming in to action for the El Morabity brothers, but, what was it?

What followed, was a complete surprise, Mohamed opened up a lead and continued to extend time finishing in a remarkable 7:37:47.

Getting it wrong on Jebel El OtfalAziz and Rachid finished in 8:31:52 and 8:31:53 respectively – what just happened? There will be more news to follow on this when I get in to bivouac and discuss with the three protagonists. For now though, Mohamed had the run of his life and Rachid is unlikely (?) to win his 10th MDS.

Yoann Stuck 4thYoann Stuck was 4th and Hamid Yachou 5th, 8:46:30 and 9:17:21.

Aziza El Amrany – incredible runAziza El Amrany is on fire this year. I have never seen her race and push so hard. It’s impressive, her victory was as equally mind-blowing as Mohamed crossing the line in 10:46:10.

Aziza RajiAziza Raji and Adriana Moser once again placed 2nd and 3rd, 11:24:29 and 12:05:06.

Adriana MoserDay1 passes to day 2 and now those who have pushed through the night have another day to achieve the opportunity to fight another day.

A day of pain for someYou can receive daily updates and reports on this website. Follow on IG @iancorlessphotography and @mdslegendary

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Rachid El MorabityTime allowance 13-hours / 0700am start

Stage 2, a beautiful stage of 40.8km’s travelling north to B2. This area of the Sahara has been used on multiple Marathon des Sables and rightly so, it’s an area that offers excellent terrain and visual splendour.

Breakfast before the startThe opening km’s to 6.3km ease the runner’s into the day and then the following km’s to CP1 at 12km are a challenge that sap energy.

CP2 comes at 25km however, the inclusion of an additional water station at 19.8km makes the stage more manageable.

Cold water at the checkpoints help runner’s cool offAlthough the presence of soft-sand is minimal, the terrain is hard and energy sapping. CP2 to CP3 is just 8km (33km total) and then the final run in to 40.8km concludes the day.

Sand, golden light and mountain backdropsWith an 0700 start, camp was alive with. head torches as runner’s prepared for the day. A mild night and finally, the wind disappeared.

Camp lifeAt the start, temperatures were around 12-degrees and they stayed low till around 0900 and then the mercury rose to a predicted high of 33-degrees.

The first downhill of the day for James Miller (ZA)Although Rachid El Morabity had a lead early on, the day was very much neutralised for the top runners in Mohamed El Morabity and Aziz Yachou. They have respect for the long day on stage 3 and they all know this will be a crucial decider for potential overall victory.

A variety of terrain for stage 2Mohamed, Rachid and Aziz all finished roughly together and with stage 2 complete, the time are 5:22:47, 5:23:14 and 5:23:16 for Mohamed, Rachid and Aziz respectively.

Aziza El Amrany unstopple for this 38th edition.The women’s race had the same format as stage 1 with Aziza El Amrancy forging ahead for another stage win and a more substantial time gain, her time now 6:54:06 in comparison to 7:40:32 for Aziz Raji who also finished 2nd on the stage.

Adriana MoserAdrianna Moser concluded the stage podium with a now total time of 7:51:49 with Gemma Game and Laurence Klein at 8:04:49 and 8:26:17.

Gemma GameStage 3 tomorrow, the long day, starts at 0600 for the majority and the top-50 at 0730. It will be tough day with no wind and rising temperatures.

You can receive daily updates and reports on this website. Follow on IG @iancorlessphotography and @mdslegendary

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Time allowance 10-hours / 0730am start

It’s all change for 2024 and with the race re-using several bivouac locations, the race will have a different feel and format.

Stage 1 MDS The Legendary 2024Admin day passed yesterday and now everyone feels settled in their new home – a tent shared with 7 other souls. Camp life is becoming normal and anticipation is high. Weather has been ‘cool’ by MDS standards, however, the wind has been relentless with constant sand storms.

The start as sand blew through the SaharaA key change for 2024 is also earlier start times to allow easier running in cooler temperatures, stage 1 with a scheduled 0700 call and 0730 start. It means morning prep and admin is taken mostly in the dark. Today was ‘chilly’ withe temperatures around 10-deg.

B1 located close to Tafraout offers an excellent location and this area is familiar territory for Marathon des Sables.

Rachid leading early in the race.The distance 31.1km with 3 checkpoints coming at 9.1km, 16.4km and 24.3km. In many respects, it’s a good stage 1 with mostly hard and runnable terrain and little soft sand. A key feature around 10km’s is Jebel Taourirt Mouchanne and then challenging terrain from 14km to 19km before returning to where the stage started.

Stage 1 is always taken with caution, however, at the front of the race, an earlier start, cooler temperatures and a very runnable day could only mean one thing – a fast day! Temperatures for the early runner’s remained under 20-degs and it was midday bfore temperature reached 23-degrees with a possible high of 27-degrees.

Aziz YachouUncharacteristically, Rachid El Morabity dictated the pace all the way to CP1. He usually starts slow and builds speed, not today, no doubt testing everyone else. He was closely followed by Aziz Yachou, his brother, Mohamed El Morabity and then Aziz’s brother, Hamid.

Aziza El AmranyFor the women, Aziza El Amrany dictated the pace and it was a fast pace building a large margin over the competition, notably Aziza Raji.

Aziza RajiQuickly after CP1, Rachid eased up, and Aziz passed. Rachid then almost jogged allowing hos brother to pass and Hamid. A surprising tactic.

An early start and a low sunFrom the final checkpoint, it all changed again. Now Mohamed leading the charge to the line, Rachid close behind and then Aziz, 2:11:09, 2:11:36 and 2:20:33 respectively with Hamid Yachou taking 4th ahead of Ahmed Ouikhalfen, 2:20:33 and 2:25:46.

Yoann StuckTop Brit was John Dewey in 6th, Yoann Stuck from France was 8th.

Aziza with a dominant performance.Aziza El Amrany was a woman with a mission today, no doubt realising that 2024 is her opportunity for victory. She crossed the line in 2:45:54 and amazingly, past MDS winner, Aziza Raji crossed the line in 3:11:53 – a huge gap after stage 1.

Laurence KleinAdriana Moser and Gemma Game ran much of the day together and they crossed in 3:12:53 and 3:13:45. MDS legend, Laurence Klein finished 5th in 3:23:13.

The last runner on stage 1 keeping ahead of the camels.You can receive daily updates and reports on this website. Follow on IG @iancorlessphotography and @mdslegendary

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©iancorlessTHE 2024 MDS THE LEGENDARY ROUTE

RACHID LOOKING FOR A 10THThe 2024 and 38th edition of Marathon des Sables is here! MDS The Legendary, the longest edition in the history of the race, 252km’s over 6 timed stages.

Close to 900 participants will toe the line, exact numbers will be confirmed at bivouac 1. With 60 countries represented, France and the UK lead the with 267 and 178 participants respectively.

From the 900 starters, 27% are women; a record. The youngest participant will be Lionel Schneider (16) and the oldest, Harry Hunter who has just turned 75 on April 15th.

Runner’s will arrive in Morocco on April 12th for a transfer to the desert.

Saturday 13th is admin day and then the race schedule is as follows:

April 14 – STAGE 1 – Departure 0700 31.1km and 282m+

April 15 – STAGE 2 – Departure 0700 40.8km and 550m+

April 16 – STAGE 3 (The Long day which will go through to April 17) – Departure 0600 and 0730 for the top 50. 85.3km and 1154m+

April 18 – STAGE 4 – Departure 0630 and 0800 43.1km and 390m+

April 19 – STAGE 5 – Departure 0700 31.4km and 252m+

April 20 – STAGE 6 – Departure 0630 and then transfer back to Ouarzazate 21.1km and 160m+

April 21 – Ouarzazate

April 22 – Home travel

THE ROUTE

Unlike previous editions of MDS, the 2024 route will concentrate on one key area of the Sahara. It makes sense, it is the most beautiful. Therefore the race will not be a point-to-point but a series of journeys and participants will stay in the same bivouac on multiple occasions.

Importantly, Jebel El Otfal, Jebel Joha Baba Ali and the oasis of El Maharch will feature on the ‘long day’ however, there will be no Merzouga dunes during the race.

In summary:

Stage 1 B1 to B1 31.1km and 282m+

Stage 2 B1 to B2 40.8km and 550m+

Stage 3 Is an elaborate series of tracks, B2 back to B2 85.3km and 1154m+

Stage 4 B2 to B3 43.1km and 390m+

Stage 5 B3 to B3 a looped route that makes a heart shape 31.4km and 252m+

Stage 6 B3 to finish 21.1km and 160m+

ONES TO WATCH

MEN

MOHAMED EL MORABITYAs in any MDS, there are the front contenders who will do battle for overall honours, in the men’s category, three obvious names are stand out: Mohamed El Morabity, Rachid El Morabity and Aziz Yachou. All eyes will be on Rachid, he is looking for a 10th MDS title and after the disaster in 2023 when he received a 2-hour time penalty, Rachid will be looking to make amends and make history. Mohamed, Rachids brother took the reigns in 2023 and won, but will this be allowed in 2024? Aziz Yachou gets stronger and stronger every year, he has a battle against the brothers though.

Petter Restrop, Yoann Stuck, Roberto Mastrotto, James Miller, Alessio Zambon, Ahmed Ouikhalfen, Stéphane Ricard,Mérile Robert, Hamid Yachou, Anthony Ginter, Romain Laguigner Abdelhadi Elmoustahli are also ranked as the top contenders, as always, there will be surprises.

WOMEN

AZIZA RAJIAziza Raji and Aziza El Amrany fly the Moroccan flag and are of course, top contenders for the podium. The UK’s Gemma Game is returning, she has placed 3rd twice in 2018 and 2019 – is this the year?

Lai King Chan, Adriana Moser, Saskia Plaucheur, Marie Houdusse, Amélie Ginter, Ninette Banoun, Magdalena Kalus, Alexandra Bailly, Annę Godefroy, Nina Stein and Katherine Beckingham are all in with a shout of top-10 and maybe the podium.

STORIES

AMY PALMIERO WINTERSThe MDS is always a place for stories, challenges, inspiration and adventure and the 38th edition will be no different. Often, these stories unfold as the race happens.

Mr MDS, Christian Ginter is back for his 36th edition, yes, his 36th! Rory Coleman from the UK return for his 16th and in and amongst these two highlight names, we will have new stories to follow and inspire us.

INTERESTING FACTS

In an effort to reduce the environmental impact of such a huge race, the MDS has taken some key measures.

In 2023 50 lorries were used, for 2024 this will be 20. In 2023 157 4×4 vehicles have been reduced to 78. A helicopter as per usual will be available for emergency use only. This equates to a 47% reduction I carbon emissions.

In addition, chartered flights were reduced to just 3 planes with an encouragement for participants to choose commercial options.

The use of local services has been increased using local staff, vehicles, trophies made in Morocco, and the catering team for staff will be all Moroccan with 100% of produce local and a reduction in chicken and beef.

In addition, checkpoints will have solar power and all communication relays utilise solar too.

Waste management has been improved and a key move has been to eradicate 1.5ltr bottles and replace with 5ltr.

Safety has always been a key concern and for 2024 there is an increase in medical staff, 65 up from 56, there 9 SSV rapid response vehicles, up from 4 in 2023. There will be 9 4×4 vehicles and new for 2024, 3 MTB riders and 9 runner’s who will participate on the race route offering immediate medical response. A medical point will be in the centre of bivouac so that immediate attention can be given if required.

ADVENTURE AWAITS

The 38th edition is now waiting to unfold. It’s a new era for the race. Let the adventure begin, MDS The Legendary makes history.

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Episode 246 of Talk Ultra is with Nicki Marsh as we countdown to Marathon des Sables – The Legendary. With a 50th birthday looming in 2024 Nicki had been toying with lots of ideas of how to celebrate… The only thing that truly excited me (and could fit around work!) was MDS. Her husband had done it in 2017 and said never again. However, it took him all of 30 seconds to agree to do it again, with Nicki!

“I have degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis, 4 foot surgeries on and another one on the cards I am determined to keep moving. My goal for the race when we entered was to get to the start line, then do the best I can to finish, the plan was to walk. I believe setting the right goals helps you develop the right mindset and avoid disappointment.”

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©iancorlessEpisode 245 of Talk Ultra is with Ferdinand Charriau, head of communications for Marathon des Sable – The Legendary. In this podcast we discuss the final details as the 2024 edition is just weeks away.

Listen Below

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Key discussion points and notes:
The stock cubes provide a better and less aggressive provision of salt.
Water rations will not be as strict as in previous years, for example, at a CP, if you have 2 x 750ml bottles and a 500ml soft-flask, you can fill all three.
A 1.5ltr bottle will be issued at CP1 on the ‘long day’ so that it is possible to have a 3ltr capacity for the ‘long day!’
CP distances will be as usual 10 to 13km apart. HOWEVER, there will be intermediate water stations now, say at 6km +/- so you can access additional water.
There will be cold water at CP’s (not to drink) but the medical team will pour cold water to cool body temperature.
Stage starts will be between 0600 and 0730 depending on the stage and the length. For example, the ‘long-day’ will start at 0600. Most days will start around 0700 to 0730.
Email in printed format will not be provided. There will also be no email tent. However, there will be IP phones available for emergency use only. MDS ideally do not want you to use them, but, the option is there.
Mobile phones are allowed BUT you must not use them in bivouac – You must leave the camp in communicate in an isolated place. However, the MDS recommend being disconnected – be with yourself, and your tent mates.
Foot care will be as good if not better than before.
There will be fast response vehicles too – extra security en-route
There will also be medical runners – They will wear an orange bib and they will run the route for immediate response on the course.
There will be live tracking – access via the MDS website so people at home can follow.
Fuel blocks – If you have problems taking fuel. Fuel will be available in B1 and there will be enough for well over 200 people.
There will be a MDS shop in B1 selling all the mandatory kit – just in case!
Make sure you travel wearing your run apparel and carry you pack.
Meeting point is Ouarzazate airport on Friday 12th from 0800.
Be patient on arrival for passport control.
Bus transfer to B1 is approximately 6-hours. You will be given the road book. Also a lunch pack will be provided.
At B1 you will be provided a 5Ltr bottle of water, there will be a welcome briefing and then self-sufficiency starts.
There will be NO hot water provision in camp. If you want hot water, you provide it yourself.
Admin day will have a significant change and will be done via tents and not numbers as in the past, this will mean less wait time and more opportunity to sit in the shade.
Make sure you have original medical documents for admin day.
It’s important to have the minimum 2000 calories per day, but at admin, the team will not be very strict. Take personal responsibility. Have your food in bags for each day and then state the total calories in each bag.
There will be a medical emergency tent in the middle of bivouac. There will be more staff in the runner’s bivouac.
If there are any questions – email, contact on social media or call. The MDS team are available for you.
Wednesday 27th there will be an English and French broadcast.
There will be some new surprises, to be revealed in bivouac!

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Episode 237 with Corina Sommer - Now in its 8th edition, the Oman Desert Marathon took place January 21st to 24th. A self-sufficient race, the event took place over 4-stages with a total distance of 165-kms. Corina Sommer battled hard to take a convincing victory. Continue reading →

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Home of the Giants, a multi-day adventure through the magical and amazing playground that is Jotunheimen. Unlike a race, this journey is a finely balanced exclusive trip for just 12 participants. A challenge at a more relaxed pace, taking in an amazing route whilst moving light in a semi self-sufficient mode. Continue reading →

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Episode 236 of Talk Ultra is with adidas Terrex athlete, Sabrina Stanley who placed 2nd at Ultra Trail Snowdonia by UTMB. Continue reading →

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Torrent 2 was superb, Torrent 3 is even better. It really is that simple. Ultimately, a great all-rounder over any distance and any terrain. It has low weight, comfort, toe splay and cushioning. If you only can purchase one shoe, the Torrent 3 is ideal. If you need a really specific shoe, for specific purpose, then yes, there maybe better alternatives, Speedgoat for technical trail, Challenger for road to trail and Zinal for fast and short, but trust me, the Torrent 3 sits perfectly amongst all these shoes and does the job superbly. Continue reading →

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Episode 235 of Talk Ultra and we speak with Katy (Catherine) Young who placed 6th lady and 1st Brit at the 2023 Marathon des Sables in 34h 21m 18s. Continue reading →

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The Camelbak Octane 25 LE is ultimately, one of the best fast packing and multi-day packs I have tried and one that I am using on all adventures for the foreseeable future. Continue reading →

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In recent days, Marathon des Sables has communicated in multiple languages to notify of 3 significant changes that will take place for the 38th MDS. Continue reading →

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Located 800 miles from Oslo and 95 miles north of the Arctic Circle. Lofoten is an archipelago in Nordland county, known as the land of the midnight sun, from the end of May to the middle of July sunset merges into sunrise, with no darkness in between. Majestic mountains, lush valleys, chalk-white beaches, seagull cries, the smell of sea and houses where you would not believe that anyone could live. It’s Lofoten in a nutshell.

Highlights are countless, especially for an enthusiastic tourist, however, as a runner, you are in an amazing position to explore. Off the beaten track you get to see the ‘real’ Lofoten that only the hardy get to see. Higravtind, 1146m is the highest peak, what Lofoten lacks in height, it more than compensates for with a plethora of mixed terrain and endless peaks connected via sea, beach, road, and trail.

The Arctic Triple isa series of races (skimo, ultra-trail and triathlon) that take place at 3 key points of the year, March week 11, June week 22, and August week 33. Created to showcase this stunning archipelago; the Ultra-Trail (and shorter races) takes place in June bringing endless days and nights of light.

Providing a perfect opportunity to sightsee while running, it comes as no surprise that the 160km, 80km, 48km, 24km and 12km races are extremely popular, 750 toed the line in 2023. In addition, there is a 160km relay competition and a 80km relay competition.

Passing through amazing scenery of mountain ridges, white beaches, green hills, and grey cliffs, the race routes are stunning and for almost the entire time, the ocean is in view. All the races conclude in Svolvær.

Reine, the classic picture postcard view of Lofoten, is a small fishing village located on the island of Moskenesøya, surrounded by towering mountains, this is where The Arctic Triple experience starts for 160km runners leaving by boat for Kirkefjord, the official start line.

Highlights come thick and fast, the peak of Kråkhammar towering the opening km’s to cp1 at Selford. The beach of Kvalvika is by far the loneliest beach in Lofoten on the way to cp2 at Fredvang. In previous editions, Unstad, Uttakleiv and Haukland beach have been part of the race route, but for 2023, changes were made to accommodate local farmers and livestock. A coastal section from Nesland to Nusjford providing rolling and at time technical trail.

Nusford, like Reine, is a picture postcard fishing village on the southern shore of the island of Flakstadøya. What follows is arguably one of the more challenging sections of the whole race route and the cp at Napp (56km) is a key aid station. The coastal trail loop of Offersøy leads eventually to Leknes, 73km covered and it is here that the 80km race starts.

Now, as the 160km route counts down to the finish in Svolvær, the respective 48km, 24km, and 12km races start. The route from Brustranda climbing up from the coastline into Grønbakkan being a highlight.

Torvdalshalsen and the 48km start leads to Vetten and some challenging terrain before climbing a steep wall of grass and a race highlight of Dalstuva ridge. Road miles follow and now, with approximately 20km’s to go, the route enters the whammy of Jordtinden, Nonstinden, Spisstinden and finally Tjeldbergtinden before finally arriving in Svolvær, exhausted!

Lofoten, on foot, is relentlessly beautiful and challenging and for 2023, even more so, with persistent rain, strong winds at time varying amounts of snow; the final section over Nonstind, Spisstind and Tjeldbergtinden providing an even greater challenge with recent snowfall, varying levels of visibility and cold temperatures.

“You run on some absolutely fantastic trail, and you are constantly surrounded by sea and lush mountains. It is a raw experience, steep mountain sides, narrow edges and 100% concentration is required. There are airy parts that offer a challenge and incredible views. Single-track, road, marshland, dense forest, mud and views to make my eyes sore – what a place Lofoten is!” – Abelone Lyng

Ultimately, Lofoten is a magical paradise that is waiting to be explored. There is so much to do and see that one trip will not be enough and it will only whet the appetite for future visits and plans.

However, if you need an introduction to this magical part of the world, signing up for one of The Arctic Triple races would be a great introduction. Of course, the 160km race provides the ultimate point-to-point immersive experience from Reine to Svolvær, for many though, this is too far and too challenging, but watch this space, new for 2024 (in addition to the 160km single-stage) the 160km race will be broken down in to four stages and offer Norway’s first multi-stage race (more info HERE), it will provide a full and immersive experience.

160km, 80km, 48km, 24km, 12km or the new stage race, running The Arctic Triple lets you experience the nature, views and atmosphere of Lofoten – there is no better way to experience any place!

2023 Classification:

160km

Gro Siljan Hjuske 32:11:27
Monika Kransvik 34:19:43
Miriann Andersen 36:43:37
Hallvard Schjølberg 22:31:25
Bartoz Fudali 25:38:57
Charles Desaleux 26:52:00

Relay Team FOAK 15:01:29

80km

Cecilia Wegnelius 13:57:27
Tanja Volm 14:58:38
Hanna Walsøe 15:18:42
Adrian Grunert 12:21:51
Nicky Brouwer 13:05:09
Eivind Berstad 13:05:10

Relay Team Equinor Harstad 9:44:56

48km

Shanga Balendran 5:53:14
Sara Axbolm 7:42:33
Sylwia Barbara Kaczmarek 7:46:59
Kristian Haga 5:34:53
Frederik Svendal 6:16:01
Frederik Erland Lima 6:45:00

24km

Mirjam Saarheim 2:54:40
Hilde Kaspersen 3:31:46
Guro Brattås 3:32:39
Kjell-Egil Krane Ingebrigsten 2:22:49
Sigve Høyen Wærstad 2:38:06
Kristoffer Håkonsen 3:06:12

12km

Torill Stavøy 1:25:28
Stine Ryslett 1:27:54
Monica Ejlertsen Høgh 1:30:07
Iver Holen 53:52
Eivind Bokalrud Fredly 1:11:46
Lennart Steffensen 1:27:51

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Maryline 2023 champion ©iancorlessThe 37th edition of the iconic Marathon des Sables concluded at Merzouga Dunes (Erg Chebbi) after what is considered, one of the hardest and most challenging editions of the race, 2021 an exception.

Hot! ©iancorlessComing later in April due to Ramadan, the predictions were always for hotter temperatures and an increased chance of sandstorms – we got them both!

Gladly, the intense sandstorms subsided after stage 2, but the heat grew in intensity as the week progressed with 42 degree temperatures in the shade and low 50 degree temperatures recorded in the direct sun.

This of course impacted on every participant and every member of staff.

Mathieu Blanchard would finish 3rd ©iancorlessOctober 2021 and the 35th edition was plagued by a Norovirus that debilitated many of the staff and runner’s, also, some of the most sustained and intensive heat that the race has experienced. It was a perfect storm that resulted in nearly 50% not completing the race. An in-depth article is HERE.

The 36th edition by contrast was the opposite, only confirming that extreme endurance challenges can bring anything and being prepared and adapting is key and integral for successful completion. However, significant sandstorms did increase the DNF rate to around 10%.

Here in 2023 there was no Norovirus, just intense heat that resulted in heat stroke, exhaustion and the second highest dropout rate in the 37-year history of the race – 30%.

©iancorless1085 started the race on stage 1 and after the completion of the charity stage, 764 were confirmed finishers.

Stats:

1085 partants started the race

Étape 1 : 21 abandons

Étape 2 : 106 abandons

Étape 3 : 72 abandons

Étape 4 : 119 abandons

Étape 5 : 3 abandons

Total : 321 abandons

Pourcentage DNF : 29,6%

One sep ahead of the next. ©iancorlessWhat can be learnt from the 2023 edition and why such a high DNF rate?

Preparation – The 2021 edition of the race and huge dropout rate was a wakeup call for any racer, I would say that the 2023 edition of the race had participants who were well aware and understood the nature of the challenge. If the 35th and 36th editions can teach us anything, the key take away is you MUST be prepared for anything; intense heat, cold, sandstorms and the unexpected.

Sandstorms – They plagued the early stages of the 2023 edition, however, lessons had definitely been learnt from the 2022 edition when sandstorms increased the DNF rate. Far more runners in the 37th edition were prepared with specific eyewear that functions in harsh conditions. It’s a key item that to all intents and purposes should be mandatory on an MDS kit list. Gladly, sandstorms did not really impact when runners were on the course, the latter part of stage 2 an exception. The sandstorms impacted on camp life and comfort. Had they hit during racing, DNF rates may well have been higher.

Heat – It’s the Sahara, it gets hot! May sound silly to say, but, this is the nature of the event. Now of course, we can get extremes, 2021 and 2022 a perfect example, arguably the hottest and the coldest. 2023 sits most definitely in the hotter end of the 37-year history of the race and the DNF rate shows this. Quite simply heat adaptation and preparation is key coming in to the MDS in the 14-days before the race. If you do not do this, the adaptation will take place during the race and quite simply, the body cannot handle it and boom, you overheat, dehydrate, get sickness and withdraw. Stage 2 shows the impact with 106 abandons. I would normally say here, that by the time the ‘long day’ comes, DNF rates reduce due to adaptation taking place, BUT for the 37th edition they increased, why? Quite simply, temperatures continued to rise, the long day was arguably the hottest day of the race, it placed tired bodies in more intense heat and the knock on effects are easy to see. Also, let’s not forget the race distances.

Stage 2 and the climb to one of the ridges ©iancorlessRace Distances – The DNF rate in 2023 is without doubt a result of the intense heat, however, I do feel the race stages also contributed. To be clear here, I am not asking for easier stages, just providing an overview. Stage 1 at 36km was a long stage. When one considers that day 1 is ‘typically’ 29-32km, the additional distance adds to an immediate stress and strain. It’s easy to look on and say, but it is only 4km to 6km! True, but 4 to 6km for some can be 2 to 3-hours in the heat. It takes a toll. Stage 2 was a beautiful stage and a classic distance, however, this stage had more technicality and additional vertical gain, this in itself added a stress and strain, add intense heat and sandstorms towards the end of the day, plus carry over fatigue from stage 1 and we can see how 106 did not finish. Stage 3 is always a cautious stage as many want to preserve energy for stage 4, the long day. Starting with km after km of flat running, the stage was in comparison to other stages, an easier day, however, 72 abandoned. Stage 4 at 90km was the second longest ever stage of the MDS, coming in a brutality hot year, it was always going to be a tough challenge. A beautiful route that included climbing Jebel Otfal, the route had relentless soft sand and intense heat. Darkness and cooler temperatures were the saviour of many runners and despite this, 119 did not make the line. Stage 5 and the medal is in sight, no matter how tough the day is, the hug and kiss from Patrick makes one more day of pain manageable, despite this, sadly, 3 did not make the line.

Heat makes the challenge tough ©iancorlessHeat Stroke – D&V did happen during the race and while some questioned if a virus was present, it was clear to see that any resemblance to 2021 was not there. Heat stroke has very similar symptoms to a bug: tiredness · dizziness · headache · feeling sick or being sick · diarrhea. I saw countless runners with heat rash on their legs and bodies.

Pack Weight – Again and again, one of the key easy gains for MDS completion is getting pack weight as close to 6.5kg as possible. Additional weight is additional strain. In intense heat this is only magnified.

Walking – If I had a euro for every time I have preached, ‘learn to walk’ I would be a rich man. MDS always makes people walk far more than they want or anticipate. Add intense heat, walking becomes normal for everyone, the elite excluded. Rising core temperatures require you to reduce stress on you and the body, even if you do not want to walk you will be forced too. Continue raising internal temperature and eventually you’ll need to stop, hopefully seek shade and reset and carry on. The DNF’s in 2023 show that heat just wiped people out. So, effective walking is a key MDS strategy.

Walking and poles, a key to success ©iancorlessPoles – Quite simply, poles and knowing how to use them are a key weapon in helping achieve an MDS finish for those typically outside the top-50. However, Norwegian runner Gaute Løset was the personification of great pole technique and placing 11th overall. Poles provide 4-wheel drive, stability and help reduce some fatigue by helping to distribute load stresses. Trust me, poles are a key weapon for most at MDS.

Mind – Broken and tired bodies were willed to the end through thick and thin due to incredible mental strength and fortitude. Training is not only physical, but mental.

Be Prepared – Hot or cold, dry or humid, windy or not, the Sahara can throw anything at you. Racing MDS is not complicated, understand the challenge and prepare accordingly. The greater the preparation, the greater chance of completion!

©iancorlessTHE RACE

Rachid El Morabity was going for a 10th MDS victory and all eyes were on him. Ragna Debats was returning to MDS after winning the race in 2019, she was the odds-on favourite for victory. It was not to be for either of them.

Mohamed ©iancorlessRachid was running a typically smart race using his brother, Mohamed as a decoy to counter any threat from Aziz Yachou and Mathieu Blanchard. Fireworks were expected come stage 4 but the race felt nuetralized with Rachid, Mohamed and Aziz all finishing within 1-minute. This placed Mohamed the leader of the race. During the ‘rest day’ thoughts for the race strategy come the marathon stage were simple, Rachid would mark Aziz, Mohamed would police the race and then conveniently lose enough time to place Rachid winner of the race and gain his 10th victory. However, at 2pm on the rest day, Rachid and Aziz El Akad were both issued with 3-hour time penalties after failing a bag check just before the start of stage 4. The reason being ‘outside assistance!’

Rachid denied any wrong doing. ©iancorlessThey both had items that could only have been provided by another person therefore giving them an advantage. To be clear here, many other runners were also tested before stage 4. Rachid’s chances of victory were over, he and Aziz withdrew from the race. Finally after many years being domestique to his elder brother, Mohamed clinched his first victory with Aziz Yachou placing second and Mathieu Blanchard third.

Aziz Yachou 2nd. ©iancorlessRagna Debats dominated the early stages of the race building a huge time gap, we all thought the race was over. Signs of some fatigue and distress were visible on stage 3. However, come stage 4, the race unfolded for Ragna and she fought a long and hard day to finish many hours outside the top 3 women and therefore there was no longer a chance of victory or podium.

Ragna had to fight ©iancorlessMaryline Nakache took over the reigns and despite Aziza El Amrany winning the long stage, she held on to victory with Aziza second and Tomomi Bitoh once again placed 3rd as she did in 2021.

Aziza El Amrany 2nd. ©iancorlessConclusions

The 2023 was classic, stage 2 and the long day providing the best of this region of the Sahara. Combined with the intense heat, it was a tough race. The long day, while not the longest (92km in 2009) was a significant challenge with an abundance of soft sand. Stunning views, ridges, climbs, soft sand, two crossings of Jebel Otfal, salt flats and oasis, the 2023 route was special.

Camp life ©iancorlessMDS is a magical Saharan experience that really is one of the greatest experiences in running. A small city moves seamlessly and like clockwork day-by-day, a wonderful, magical, moving road show that is difficult to understand and appreciate until you are living it.

Stripped back from connection and technology, MDS is one of the ultimate raw experiences in this crazy modern and connected world; one tent, 8-people, one bag per person; rationed food, clothing, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, mandatory equipment and rationed water, it gets no simpler or basic. For those who have experienced it, they know the life changing process that the experience brings. They dared to place themselves in the arena knowing that if at least they fail, they do so while daring greatly.

See you in 2024!

A farewell to 2023 ©iancorlessFollow on:

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©iancorlessA beautiful sunrise over bivouac and the final timed stage of the 2023 and 37th edition of the Marathon des Sables would get underway.

©iancorlessThe marathon stage had been highly anticipated as it was expected, that Rachid El Morabity would come from behind and gain time on his brother, Mohamed and clinch his 10th victory. However, this was not to be!

©iancorlessRachid, along with Aziz El Akad failed an equipment check before the long stage (stage 4) of the Marathon des Sables. This check showed items that were not present at the initial kit check on admin day. The items, coincidentally, were provided each day in lunch packets for MDS staff. In simple terms, Rachid and Aziz were obtaining ‘outside assistance’ to gain an advantage and this, of course, is outside the rules of the race and the sense of fair play. On the rest day, a penalty of 3-hours was given to Rachid and Aziz and also, the Moroccan team was penalised. Rachid and Aziz decided to leave the race and not participate in the last stage.

Rachid has since posted on his Instagram account, and I quote:

“…it is with heavy heart I have decided to quit Marathon des Sables because I was punished unfairly for a mistake I dod not commit. When you are wrongly accused, it’s better to stand with your head high than to remain to suffer injustice…”

Sadly, this is a sad chapter in the history of the Marathon des Sables and the legacy of Rachid. However, it’s greatly important that self-sufficiency in the true nature of the MDS is held and when applicable, penalties are given, irrespective of if you have won 9 editions or not.

Mohamed before CP1©iancorlessThe 2023 edition will go down in the history of the race as one of the toughest! A beautiful but tough route, was made considerably tougher with intense heat that not only lasted the week, but increased in temperature daily. Also, early days were impacted with multiple sand storms. At the time of writing, the DNF rate is approximately 30% with just 771 runner’s starting the marathon stage.

First victory ©iancorlessIt was a day full of emotion, finally, Mohamed El Morabity was finally released from the pressures of working for an elder brother and ran a smart race. He consolidated his lead by marking his closest rival Aziz Yachou and then in the final km’s he opened a gap crossing the line in 3:18. A huge victory for the Moroccan.

Aziz Yachou ©iancorlessAziz placed 2nd on the stage and 2nd overall on GC with Visiili Korytkin rounding out the stage podium. Mathieu Blanchard placed 3rd overall on GC, a great step up from his 2021 5th place.

©iancorlessFor the women, Maryline Nakache won the stage and the overall GC. Tomomi Bitoh who won the marathon stage the last time she raced MDS today placed 2nd and 3rd on GC. Aziza El Amrany placed 3rd on stage and 2nd oveall.

Tomomi ©iancorlessOf course, today, the finish is full of tears, joy and emotion. The 37th edition has been a tough one and it’s clear to see the elation as the line is crossed and finally, it’s possible to relax and let go. There have been many highs and lows for all. As always, there are countless stories that transcend running and in time, those stories will be told. But just look at the images below to get a glimpse of the inspiration, the journey, the transformative process that MDS brings.

©iancorless©iancorless©iancorless©iancorless©iancorless©iancorlessFollow on:

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Hot ! ©iancorlessThe long day at Marathon des Sables. It is always feared and rightly so. Coming on day 4, bodies are already tired and depleted. This year, the challenge is 90km, the second longest long day in the races 37th year history.

©iancorlessThe 37th edition has already been impacted by the intense heat and challenging terrain with approximately 200 withdrawals before the long day started.

Rachid ©iancorlessWith 36 hours allowed to complete the challenge, it was going to be a tough challenge for all. The race start was brought forward by 1-hour once again, 0700 instead of 0800. The top 50 staring at 1000.

©iancorlessSelf management is key. With aid stations approximately 10km’s apart, the race can be broken down, Cp by Cp and for most, the welcome of sunset and cooler temperatures makes travelling by foot easier.

©iancorlessThe front of the race was highly anticipated with Rachid, Mohamed and Aziz close together on the GC. But really, all eyes were on Rachid looking for a 10th victory.

©iancorlessThe day started with Rachid pushing the pace ahead of the other contenders but no real gaps opened up, for much of the day, the trio were close together and it stayed this way all the way to the end with Mohamed finishing 1st (8:14:39), Aziz 2nd (8:14:45) and Rachid 3rd (8:14:58), the GC staying with Mohamed as leader. It’s all to fight for come the marathon stage. Mathieu Blanchard once again ran consistency securing 4th place on GC.

Mathieu Blanchard ©iancorlessRagna Debats had dominated the first three stages and barring disaster, was almost guaranteed victory. But, there are no guarantees in the Sahara. The terrain brutal, the heat intense and the challenge extreme.

Ragna struggled early on, looking uncomfortable and lacking power. She started to fade and eventually she started to fall back with Maryline Nakache and Aziza El Amrany pulling away. The gaps opened and Maryline became the provisional leader on the trail.

Maryline ©iancorlessAs sunset came, Maryline and Aziza were together before Cp6, Maryline looking troubled, Aziza looking strong.

Aziza ©iancorlessAziza forged ahead to take a well earned stage victory in 11:44:39. Maryline is now the women’s leader of the 37th Marathon des Sables finishing stage 4 in 11:50:04. Tomomi Bitoh, Corina Sommer and Catherine (Katy) Young all moved up in the rankings. The marathon stage will be interesting!

Tomomi ©iancorlessRANKING HERE

For many, today, Thursday is a rest day, recovering from the long day. But remember, runner’s have till 1700 hours to complete the stage, another day of intense heat to fight against.

The MDS is called ‘The Toughest Race in the World,’ in 2023 it is proving to be true. The combination of distance, heat, challenging terrain, self-sufficiency and rationed water make this an ultimate challenge.

Keeping ahead of the camels… ©iancorlessMDS LIVE HERE

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Mohammed El Morabity ©iancorlessDay 2 was tough. It was a challenging route, incredibly beautiful but the added technicality, vertical gain and intense heat took its toll with many DNF’s.

Mathieu Blanchard ©iancorlessThe organisation made a decision to bring the stage 3 start forward by 1-hour, 0700 instead of 0800. It maybe caused some logistical, admin and timing issues for all but it was a good call.

At 34km, stage 3 had less challenges than stage 2, but still a tough day.

Ragna Debats ©iancorlessWith flat km’s to Cp1, the pace was high and Mathieu Blanchard was a main protagonist. He often pushed the pace, closely followed by Aziz, Mohammed and Rachid.

©iancorlessAfter Cp2 a resplendent area of green vegetation brought a different life to the Sahara. Camels, birds and reptiles, rare to see so much wildlife in one area.

Mathieu pushing the pace ©iancorlessThe main protagonists pushed the pace and eventually Mathieu faded leaving the overall top-3 on GC together.

Aziz ©iancorlessAs I expected, Mohammed attacked and not only took the stage but the overall lead. It’s what I expected. The ‘brothers’ have a plan for the long day, but, at 90km’s, anything can happen.

Tactics, all about tactics ©iancorlessFor the women, it was business as usual with Rgna leading. But, after Cp1 she went through a bad patch and Aziza El Amrany took over the front of the race with Ragna complaining of, ‘…feeling fine and lacking power.’

Ragna ©iancorlessAs the race progressed, it all changed. Ragna regained the front and won in 3:29:36.

Aziza El Amrany ©iancorlessMaryline Nakache once again ran a strong and consistent stage to not only catch Aziza, pass her and put time into her, the duo finishing in 3:4104 and 3:42:36.

Maryline ©iancorlessTomorrow is the big day! It’s beautiful route with some MDS classics in the terrain. At 90km, it will be extremely tough for all. The race will start 1-hour earlier than planned, 0700. The top-50 will start at 1000.

Corina and Tomomi ©iancorlessGeneral Classification:

Mohammed El Morabity 7:46:41
Rachid El Morabity 7:49:39
Aziz Yachou 7:50:47
Mathieu Blanchard 8:29:04
Vasilii Korytkin 8:37:23
Ragna Debats 10:15:30
Maryline Nakache 10:54:09
Aziza El Amrany 11:32:25
Corinna Sommer 12:21:46
Tomomi Bitoh 12:23:11

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Ragne Debats ©iancorlessIt was a tough first day to the 2023 Marathon des Sables with 17 dropping out, a combination of heat, dehydration and exhaustion. Although a shorter day-2 was welcomed, it had increased technicality and vertical gain, therefore making it an equally hard day.

Mathieu Blanchard ©iancorlessMood in camp was high, many telling war wound stories of day-1 and somewhat apprehensive about what was to come.

Aziz and Mohammed ©iancorlessFrom the gun, Rachid went hard and immediately opened a gap. A rare tactic for him, he usually like to hold back and slowly speed up. Today, boom, he was gone. By Cp1 the carnage behind was taking hold, the pace high!

Rachid ©iancorlessOn one of the key ridges of the day, Rachid held a lead over the pursuing Aziz who was marked by Mohamed El Morabity, the brothers once again using tactics to an advantage. Mathieu Blanchard was 5th.

After Jebel El Otfal, the descent, following sand dunes and flat run to the line, Mohamed and Rachid switched places (a tactical move?) and Mohamed took victory in 2:29:05. Rachid followed in 2:29:30 and then Aziz 2:29:42.

©iancorlessWhat can we make of this? My thoughts are Rachid would like Aziz to think he is not as strong as he imagined, therefore casting a doubt… I wouldn’t be surprised if Rachid gave away minutes on stage 3 to the the pressure off for the long day, and then, attack!

Ragna attacj=king at the start ©iancorlessThe women’s race once again was dominated by Ragna Debats, she is too strong! Of course, the race is not over, anything can happen, especially on a 90km long day, but, Ragna, in this form is unbeatable. She crossed the line in 3:19:14.

Maryline ©iancorlessMaryline Nakache and Aziza El Amrany ran together early in the day, but the elastic snapped and once again, Maryline pulled away to finish in 3:36:36. Wl Amrancy crossed in 3:55:55.

One to watch, Catherine (Katy( Young ©iancorlessNotably, Jodie Moss from the UK, 4th on stage 1, finished out of the top-5 today. A tactical move? I am sure she would prefer to start in the 0800 start and not the midday start for the long day.

Stage 3 is 34.4km and in principal, will be an easier day. But the heat is strong and the challenge real.

Stats -1085 runners started stage 1, of which 228 were women. At the end of stage 2, the drop outs were nearly 100!

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Rachid El Morabity ©iancorlessA beautiful calm morning welcomed the runners to stage 1 of the 37th edition of Marathon des Sables. Finally, the wait would be over and the challenge could begin.

©iancorlessNeedless to say, nerves and excitement filled bivouac but the general consensus was, ‘I just want to get started!’

And started they did, precisely at 0830 the runners departed after Patrick Bauer’s compulsory briefing.

©iancorlessVisilli from Russia set the early pace and pulled away with the ‘hot favorites’ behind allowing him to open a gap. Erik Clavery followed. Rachid as per usual eased in to the day, starting further back and slowly pressing the accelerator to increase speed.

©iancorlessMohamed El Morabity, Aziz Yachou, Mathieu Blanchard and a string of other top-10 hopefuls chased the duo.

Rachid ©iancorlessBut eventually, the race started to come together with the two early protagonists caught and after Cp2 Rachid started to apply the pressure. He opened a gap and behind nis brother marked Aziz Yachou and Mathieu Blanchard.

Aziz, Mohamed, Mathieu ©iancorlessBy the line, Rachid crossed in 2:46:15 and a 1-minute margin over his brother, Mohamed. Aziz finished 1-second later and Mathieu fourth in 2:51:48.

©iancorlessIt was a strong start for Rachid, he his here for his 10th victory and he looks strong!

©iancorlessIn the women’s race, as expected, Ragna Debats lead from the front and it stayed that way all the way to the line. At all times she looked relaxed, it control and running within herself, her time, 3:26:40.

Maryline and Aziza ©iancorlessBehind, Maryline Nakache pulled away from Aziza El Amrany after running together for many km’s. The French woman was to strong and she stopped the clock in 3:36:29.

Jodie Moss chasing ©iancorlessEl Amrany certainly suffered from earlier efforts and finished in 3:53:54, just managing to hold off Jodie Moss from the UK who closed well to finish in 3:57:47.

It was a hot day! Despite early morning cloud and occasional wind, the heat certainly took its toll with many runners arriving exhausted. Stage 2 is shorter than day 1, but, it has more climbing, more technical sections and more soft-sand. It will be a tough day.

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Ragna Debats ©iancorlessThe 37th Marathon des Sables is underway with over 1100 runners arriving in Morocco from over 50 different countries.

The iconic MDS camels ©iancorlessArrival in to the Sahara for many was harsh, with strong and relentless sand storm lasting several hours, gladly they subsided for Patrick Bauer’s welcome to the desert.

Patrick Bauer ©iancorlessSaturday, is admin day. Each runner passes through protocols of equipment checks, health checks, bib collection and once dinner has been completed, self-sufficiency begins.

©iancorlessIt has been a good first day with a great deal of apprehension, positivity, excitement and of course, an urge to ‘get underway!’

Stage 1 covering 36km with 2 aid stations is split in to 3 distinct sections. The early section is flat with a passing through Jebel Mech Irdane followed by soft-sand and Oued Rheris. Cp1 is followed by harde, faster terrain and small rolling hills that leads to dunettes and the arrival of Cp2. From here in, the running is good and fast to complete a potentially challenging first day of the 2023 MDS.

Rachid El Morabity ©iancorlessRachid El Morabity and Ragna Debats are the hot favourites in 2023, read a preview HERE.

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Rachid and AzizThe 2023 MARATHON DES SABLES draws near and as usual, here is a preview of the coming edition. We will look at the top contenders for the male and female podiums, provide an overview of MDS history and look at some crazy statistics.

Since 1986, well over 22,000 participants have raced at the Marathon des Sables and we have record (or close to record) for 2023, with1200+/- toeing the line. As per usual, the race is multi-national with over 50 represented. The French and British providing the largest contingent.

THE TOP MEN AND WOMEN

Rachid El Morabity returns looking for his 10th victory, all eyes will be on him, but he is in for a fight! 2019 female champion, Ragna Debats returns and is without doubt the hot favourite for the top of the women’s podium.

THE WOMEN RACE

Ragna DebatsRagna Debats dominated the race in 2019 and in recent years has become one of the top trail, ultra and skyrunner’s in the world. When in form, she is incredibly difficult to beat. In 2022 she had an incredible season with four top victories, Transgrancanaria 129km, Istria by UTMB, Montreux Trail Festival and the 100m Nice Côte d’Azur by UTMB. Ragna has had a relatively quiet start to 2023 and recently she has changed her coach of 13-years. She will be meticulously prepared for MDS 2023.

Gemma GameGemma Game from the UK has been on the podium of MDS twice, 2018 and 2019, on both occasions placing 3. Gemma most definitely can win MDS but, as she will tell you, she runs for fun and MDS is an escape from a very busy and hectic life with a high-powered job and family. Is she wants to, she will be on the podium again in 2023.

Manuela Socco from Belgium is not a runner I am very aware of; however, two results stand out, victory at Cappadocia Medium Trail in 2019 and Tarawera 100km in 2020. She has also represented Belgium at the Olympic Games in the marathon distance. With a 35min 10km, a 1:16 half marathon and a 2:37 marathon, she has all the running fire power to create a stir in the Sahara.

Maryline Nakache from France has a string of top results, she often wins! However, stand-out markers come from Templiers (3rd) 90km du Mont-Blanc (3rd), CCC (5th) Transgrancanaira Advanced (1st), Tenerife Blue Trail (1st), UTMB (6th) and in 2022 alone she was never out of the top-5.

Tomomi BitohTomomi Bitoh from Japan was 3 in the 2021 MDS and has recently participated in The Coastal Challenge in Costa Rica. She is an incredible personality, a fierce competitor and although the podium is a possibility in 2023, I feel that she will just be outside the top ranking.

Elise DELANNOY (France) was 18th in the 2016 MDS in 38-hours. This is a long way off the pace required to podium in 2023… But a great deal has happened since then, notably a 7th place at UTMB in 2019, so, Elise cannot be ruled out of shaking up the front of the race.

Corina Sommer ©iancorlessCorina Sommer from Zurich recently won the Oman Desert Marathon against Aziz Raji (past MDS champ) and Aziza El Amrany who had led the race only to have Corina run two incredibly strong days and take the victory. New to trail, she placed 18th at Templiers and 3rd at Istria by UTMB for the 68km. She will need a great week to make the podium, but it’s a distinct possibility.

Jodie Moss from the UK was 8th at MDS in 2019 and has been preparing meticulously for the 2023 edition. However, recent injury issues placed the race in question, but it looks like she will be in the Sahara, hopefully in great shape.

Ester Alves won The Coastal Challenge in 2016 placed 3rd in 2017. She also raced MDS in 2017 but the race did not go to plan… In recent years, she has had time away from the sport, but last year, Ester raced Everest Trail Race which will have no doubt provided some great momentum for the Sahara.

Maria Semerjian has results going back to 2009 and without doubt, she enjoys the tough mountain courses, UTMB, Raid de la Reunion, Grand Raid Pyrenees, UTMF, and more… The distance won’t be a problem, however, the speed to make the top-5 may well be the problem.

Brunhilde Girardet recently won Trail de Cité de Pierres as a warmup for MDS. It’s her first edition, so, let’s see…

Wild card – Katie Young from the UK.

Laurence Klein returns, she has won MDS three times, with no disrespect to the Queen of the desert, there is no chance of victory in 2023, but she will no doubt bring colour to the race.

Aziza El Amrany ©iancorlessCurrently, Aziz Raji and Aziza El Amrany are NOT on the start list, but I hope they do make it to the 2023 edition. It’s important the Morocco has female representation and of course, both of them have great potential for the top 5. Raji has won the race and El Amrany was 3rd in 2022.

THE MEN RACE

The men’s race is extremely notable in 2023 as Rachid El Morabity will look for a 10th victory. This will without doubt add an extra dynamic to the race, particularly after the superb tactics which played out in the 2022 edition.

Rachid El MorabityRachid El Morabity is the boss of the Sahara and without doubt, the hot favourite. BUT, I believe will be his toughest challenge. There are multiple reasons for this… Rachid has expectation on him, this is not really an issue, he can handle that. He has raced a great deal in the past 12-months, he may be tired? The Moroccan team is probably at its weakest, especially when compared to the past ten editions, so, the support network will be less. The competition, namely Mathieu Blanchard and Aziz Yachou are a serious threat. Will Rachid win? It is very hard to bet against him, but 2023 has the potential to be the upset year.

Mohamed El MorabityMohamed El Morabity is the eternal 2nd at MDS and his possibilities of victory in 2023 are zero if Rachid is in good form. The only opportunity for Mohamed is if Rachid falters and he gets the green light from his elder brother to attack. In Oman Desert Marathon earlier in the year, Mohamed took victory ahead of Rachid, don’t be fooled in to thinking Mohamed was stronger, he was gifted the win as credit for April and the 2023 MDS. Without doubt, Mohamed can win the race, but just as we saw in 2022, he will be the super domestique for Rachid.

Aziz YachouAziz Yachou is the fly in the Moroccan ointment and without doubt, 1-year on, has the potential to create fireworks and upset Rachid’s dream. He was 4th in 2021 and 3rd in 2022. Last year he was worked over by the tactics of Rachid and Mohamed, he will be prepared for that this year. Little is known about his training in the early part of 2023.

Mathieu BlanchardMathieu Blanchard raced MDS in 2021 and finished 5th – he was hit by the bug that swept through camp just in time for the long day. One thing is for sure, after placing 2nd at UTMB in 2022, we are looking at a different Mathieu. He raced The Coastal Challenge in February and placed 2nd, he recently summited Kilimanjaro and most recently ran a 2:22 marathon in Paris. Mathieu can win MDS and the French have put a team together to potentially make that happen. Beating the Moroccans on home soil (sand) is tough, but THIS may be the year.

David KILGORE from the USA has been top-10 at Leadville 100, and recently 7th at Tarawera 50km. On paper, he is not an MDS podium contender, but he will be in the mix for the top-10.

Erik Clavery adds more fire power to the French line-up. He was 5th at MDS in 2016 and a fierce competitor. He has raced UTMB, WSER, Eiger Ultra and even 24H championships, so, he brings something special to the MDS.

Vasily Kortytkin (Russia) comes to MDS with a history in 6H and 24H races, he has PB’s of 86.493 and 260.570 respectively. He has won some trail race in Russia in 2021 and 2022, how he performs in the Sahara is a big question.

Pierre Meslet (France) placed 9th at MDS in 2021 and returns in 2023 not only to perform to the best of his ability (top-10) but to also help the French maybe win the race and also get the team prize.

Anton Samokhvalov also from Russia has been racing trail since 2014. He has a list of solid results but nothing spectacular, in 2021 he made 10th at Transgrancanaria Advanced.

Duncan Slater from the UK lost both legs during a mission in Afghanistan, he’s back this year for another medal!

Christian Ginter, dinosaur of the desert, returns for the 35th time!

Finally…

1150 runners will toe the line (1263 were registered) and the youngest runner is 16-year-old Girard Fialon (she will run with her father, Grégory) and the eldest, Henry Botha, 81!

Crazy Statistics of the MDS

“The logistics are a big headache, and we organize every detail in advance! We’re a village of 2,000 people that must be set up and dismantled every day. We need to be self-sufficient in energy, food, water, and fuel. As one of my friends says, ‘Let’s expect the worst because the best will never surprise us!’ We also benefit from the infallible support of the Royal Moroccan Army, which makes available about 25 6WD military trucks to transport all our equipment.” – Patrick Bauer

You must see Marathon des Sables to appreciate the size and scale of the event. It’s like the largest moving circus you will ever see and it’s impressive to witness.

Following statistics provided by the Marathon des Sables office:

150 volunteers to supervise the race,

450 general support staff,

120,000 liters of bottled mineral water,

300 Berber and Saharan tents,

120 all-terrain vehicles and trucks,

2 Squirrel helicopters and 1 Cessna plane,

8 Transavia ‘MDS special’ commercial planes,

30 buses,

4 dromedaries,

1 incinerator lorry for burning waste,

5 quad bikes to monitor race environment and safety,

72 medical staff,

2.3kms of Elastoplast,

12,200 compresses,

6,000 painkillers,

150 liters of disinfectant,

1 editing bus,

5 cameras,

1 satellite image station,

10 satellite telephones,

30 computers, fax and internet,

20,000 competitors since 1986

3 runners aged 10-20, 108 aged 20-30, 314 aged 30-40, 491 aged 40-50, 299 aged 50-60 , 66 aged 60-70 and 13 aged 70-80 years.

14 km/hr.: average maximum speed, 3 km/hr.: average minimum speed,

15 years of age for the youngest competitor and the oldest, 83!

Patrick BauerA brief history of the MDS

1984: At 28 years of age, Patrick Bauer decided to make for the Sahara to try to traverse a 350km expanse of uninhabited desert, on foot, alone, where he wouldn’t come into contact with a single village, oasis or watering place. Totally self-sufficient, with a rucksack weighing 35kg and containing water and food, he set off on a journey that was to last 12 days. It was the starting point of what was to become the MARATHON DES SABLES.

1986: The creation of the first MDS in the Moroccan Sahara. The 23 pioneers who took the start never imagined that their footprints would mark the start of a legendary event, which has today become a must among the major adventure sport meets. The creation of a non-mechanical competition in the Moroccan sands offers adventure runners a wealth of new prospects.

1987: Creation of the MDS logo: the face of a runner covered by a keffiyeh, the eyes protected by a pair of sunglasses and the pipette from the runner’s water container clenched between the teeth.

1989: 170 competitors take the start of the race.

1991: The gulf drama puts the MDS at a disadvantage and the financial partners withdraw. Fortunately, some runners answer the call. For these competitors, the true victory lies in meeting athletes from different backgrounds and their communion in the desert around the same goal. Sport proves once again that it can bring people together and create bonds.

1992: One and the same regulation for everyone. This year sees the establishing of unexpected draconian tests, to ensure that each participant properly transports all his or her gear from one end of the course to the other. A 30-point charter is drawn up.

First participation by the Moroccan Lahcen Ahansal

1994: Arrival of the Doc Trotters at the event.

1995: 10th anniversary. Since the start, over 1,500 men and women have left their footprint and their passion in the desert. Installation of water-pump for the inhabitants of the village of Ighef n’rifi (South of Er-Rachidia) – an idea by competitor Gilles Flamant and backed by Rolland Barthes and Patrick Bauer. Its success is to be repeated.

1996: First participation by Mohamed, a younger sibling of Ahansal. The two Moroccan brothers set off together and rank 4th and 5th respectively.

1997: This year heralds the start of the Ahansal saga. Morocco is honored with Lahcen’s first victory. He beats his two pursuers by nearly 30 minutes, despite them being international long-distance running champions.

1999: A mobile hospital on the MDS comes into being. There are around thirty practitioners on the ground, with doctors and nurses joining the caravan. A dedicated helicopter and ten all-terrain vehicles track the competitors each day. On- board these vehicles there are doctors of course, as well as high-tech equipment. The village boasts a genuine field hospital.

2000: Internet appears in the large MDS village. The organization decides to broadcast the texts and photos of the race live, day after day. The competitors can communicate with their nearest and dearest and receive messages of encouragement.

2001: For the first time the long leg, traditionally called “The 70”, exceeds the 80km barrier to reach 82km. The threshold of 240km is also surpassed since the 16th MARATHON DES SABLES spans 243km. Another first relates to the fact that there are no Moroccans on the podium this year.

2002: This edition is punctuated by a sandstorm, involving headwinds, which lasts the entire week. The doctors invent a machine for ‘low pressure cleansing’ to rinse out the runners’ eyes. Despite the difficult conditions, there are few retirements to report as the wind considerably reduces the temperature.

2005: The Luxembourg runner Simone Kayser is the first woman to win 3 MARATHON DES SABLES. For this 20th edition, the total number of runners exceeds 700 for the first time, with no fewer than 777 runners taking the start.

2006: A drying wind and very high humidity levels cause damage to the runners’ bodies. Despite additional allocations of water, a whole series of retirements ensues. There are a total of 146 retirements ultimately, which equates to double that of the previous record… Race management decides to shorten the long leg by over 10km given how tired the runners seem.

2008: The Solidarité MDS association is created. The aim: to develop projects to assist children and disadvantaged populations in the domains of health, education, and sustainable development in Morocco.

2009: MDS is disrupted by flooding and the 1st and 6th stages are not able to take place. To avoid the flood zones, the organization is obliged to improvise new legs on a day-to-day basis. In this way, the edition goes down in legend for its 3rd leg, which is the longest ever contested: 92km of sand, loose stones, and rocks… The leg even sees the retirement of Lahcen Ahansal… At the prize giving the 2 winners admit to having competed in their hardest MDS. However, it was also the shortest: 202km.

2010: For its 25th edition, the number of participations reaches a record high of 1,013 participants. It is to be the longest MARATHON DES SABLES. It spans 250 kilometers with a course considered by former entrants to be the most difficult ever organized.

2012: A dramatic turn of events on the longest leg as the then leader in the overall standing, Rachid El Morabity (MAR) injures himself one kilometer from the finish. Medical examinations reveal a serious muscular lesion in the quadriceps. After over five years on the 2nd or 3rd step of the podium, Jordanian Salameh Al Aqra secures the title.

2013: 1,027 competitors on the start line make this a new participation record. New feature: a final “Charity” stage sponsored by UNICEF and traversing the Merzouga dunes round off the race. Sportswise, Mohamad Ahansal and Megan Hicks are the champions of the 231.5km event. On a human level, all of the finishers pull off their crazy bet.

2014: 2011 winner, Moroccan Rachid El Morabity (MAR) wins the overall ranking and takes Mohamad Ahansal’s crown. In the women’s category, another American stamps her mark, Nikki Kimball. The French revelation is one Michaël Gras, 22 years of age, 8th overall and top Frenchman. A major athletics star, Moroccan Hicham El Guerrouj lines up to take the start of Saturday’s Unicef Charity leg.

2020: The Corona virus takes over the world.

2021: The Marathon des Sables returns but with an October edition due to the global pandemic. Celebrating 35-years, it is remembered as on one of the hottest editions and almost 50% not completing the race due to a possible Norovirus that swept through bivouac.

2022: Rapid El Morabity wins his 9th edition setting himself up for 10 in 2023. Sandstorms made for some difficult and challenging days.

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It has been a long journey, and here you are, 14-days to the start of the Marathon des Sables.

DO NOT PANIC!

You – You signed up for the challenge, you wanted to be on the start line and therefore you are responsible for the outcome. Believe me, the you that leaves the Sahara is not the same you that entered. Arguably, you changed the moment you paid the deposit, the transformation process had already begun. Embrace the journey ahead and apply yourself. But keep perspective, the MDS journey is an enhancement of you as a person. It’s easy to become too obsessed. Ultimately the majority of runners at MDS are enthusiasts, if you keep that in mind the journey will be a complete one.

Pack – Minimum pack weight is 6.5kg plus water (8kg,) get as close to this as you can. Additional weight is additional stress and just makes the journey harder.

Friends – You are going to share bivouac with 7 other people and you are going to have some serious highs and lows. These tent mates will pull you through and motivate you. They will become friends for life. Ideally find tent mates before you head out to the Sahara and create a support network. Now, with 14-days to go is the perfect time to do this, if you haven’t already done so.

Feet – Look after them, along with dehydration, blistered and damaged feet are a key reason for failure in any multi-day race.

Extras – Mandatory kit is as one would expect, mandatory! So purchase what is on the list. You can save weight by shopping around. Simple rule; the lighter and smaller, the more expensive it will be! Optional extras are very personal and my advice would be take nothing extra other than a MP3 player and earphones.

Mental Game – The legs, lungs, heart and feet will only get you so far. The mind is what will get you to the finish. Broken individuals with bodies in tatters but mentally strong can make the finish. Despite the hardships and pain, they embraced the journey and mentally where superior in strength. It was the mind that got them to the line.

Laugh – If you laugh, you are having fun. Laugh when you hit rock bottom, why not. Laugh when you are going the toilet in a brown plastic bag and most of all laugh with and at your tent mates and fellow runners. The comradeship of MDS is quite unique, embrace it.

Heat – In the final 14-days, make sure you get some heat acclimation, bikram yoga, sauna, heat chamber, hot batch, whatever it may be, get 6-8 sessions before the race. You have signed up for a race in the Sahara, no point in complaining it is ‘too hot!’ This is the challenge you signed up for. Dehydration is one of the main causes for NOT finishing the race.

TOP TIPS BEFORE THE RACE STARTS

Take essentials on the plane and wear your run apparel and shoes. That way, should a baggage disaster happen your chances of racing improve.
Take food with you for the travel and on the plane.
The journey from the airport to bivouac 1 is now typically 1-hour or less, this helps considerably with fatigue and tiredness.
Night 1 and night 2 in bivouac are NOT self-sufficient so take extras such as an inflatable bed, food and luxuries. Don’t use them? Give them away to the berbers. May as well have 2 comfortable nights and a comfortable day before the racing starts.
Food before the race starts is by Moroccan caterers. It is excellent food BUT for some, may be too challenging for the stomach. Take options to be self-sufficient should you need to make the choice.
Admin day is slick and streamlined now, but, you may be in the sun for over 1-hour. Wear a hat, take shade (an umbrella) and have water and snacks.
Keep sun screen on and keep hydrated. No need to drink vast volumes – drink to thirst before the racing starts.
Have additional items such as a base layer, sleeping bag liner and other items that may be on a ‘question’ list for the race. On night 1 and before you go to admin, you can make final decisions of what to and what not to take. Particularly important if you think you may be cold at night.
Remember that after bag drop and check-in you have no access to any additional items, however, you only become completely self-sufficient when you start the race. With that in mind, you can have additional food and luxuries with you until day 1 kick-off, it’s a useful tip and does mean that you can have additional comfort for a good 12-hours.

Marathon des Sables is a magical and life changing journey as are most if not all multi-day races. It really is a true challenge of mind and body to race over many days, irrespective of finish time. It’s a hark back to a more primitive time, a time without clutter and modern technology. Embrace this. Embrace the silence of the surroundings and the simplicity of placing one foot in front of the other, eating, resting and sleeping and then doing it all again.

Finally, set yourself a realistic goal (that may just be to finish) so that you manage not only your expectations but pace. Way too many start off too quick and most dropouts come on days 1 and 2.

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Episode 234 of Talk Ultra is a #BM100 Barkley Marathon Special with an in-depth interview with Jasmin Paris.

The 2023 Barkley Marathon concluded with three finishers, Aurélien Sanchez completing 5-loops in 58:23:12, John Kelly in 58:42:23, and Karel Sabbe becoming the ‘slowest’ finisher in 59:53:33.

John Kelly is only the third person to complete the Barkley Marathon more than once, Jared Campbell who participated in the 2023 event (who did not finish) is a three-time finisher.

For the women, Jasmin Paris became only the second woman ever to start loop 4 and the first woman to complete loop-4, albeit out of time.

Jasmin at the 2025 Dragons Back Race which she won and placed 2nd overall.On this weeks show, we speak in-depth about her past, her 2022 Barkley Marathon experience and of course, her 2023 record breaking run.

The interview with Courtney starts at 00:16:30

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©iancorlessHoka Speedgoat and the ‘5’ incarnation is arguably one of, if not THE most popular trail running shoe ever. No matter what race, what conditions, you will see countless Speedgoat shoes.

With maximal cushioning, great fitting upper, the option of different widths and an excellent Vibram outsole, it’s easy to understand why they are so popular, especially in the ultra world!

For me personally, I find the stack height just too high, especially on technical and challenging terrain; the risk of an ankle roll is too high! However, on single-track, the benefits are there if cushioning is your thing? For me, give me a Zinal or Torrent 2!

Living in Norway, once November arrives (sometimes earlier), pretty much all my runs require a specific winter shoe that has studs to maximise grip on ice. Until a few years ago, the choice was limited with unsurprisingly, Scandinavian companies such as VJ Sport and Icebug leading the way.

Now though, options from Asics, La Sportiva, Salomon, Salming, inov-8 and others are available, it only shows how the growth of running is booming and how the ‘need’ to run all-year makes it worthwhile for brands to produce a very specific shoe, that by its nature, has a limited market.

©iancorlessTherefore, the addition of a Hoka Speedgoat 5 with spikes is a welcome addition to the market. Certainly, adapting the Speedgoat makes sense, it is Hoka’s most popular trail shoe, so, it will certainly be popular in this version for those who need a specific shoe.

To my knowledge, this version of the Hoka is the *first (?) maximal cushioned shoe with winter spikes on the market, this alone will fill a hole in the market. It’s a welcome addition.

WINTER RUNNING

I have written many articles on winter running, read HERE. However, for clarity, I will provide a quick summary.

Not all winter running is the same and most certainly, conditions vary considerably.

Icy roads and pavement – A spiked shoe with cushioning is perfect. The outsole can be less aggressive.
Icy trails – A spiked shoe with an aggressive outsole is best.
Snow and Ice – A shoe that is used for icy trails works, however, sometimes the addition of Gore-Tex is welcome and in deeper snow, a boot that comes higher over the ankle is recommended.
Snow/ Ice in mountain terrain – We now crossover into alpinism and a more specific shoe is required and depending on conditions, a more specific crampon. This can be a light micro-crampon such as Nortec or a specific mountain crampon.

Needless to say, the Hoka falls in to categories 1 and 2 and depending on conditions, may be applicable for point 3. It is most definitely not a point 4 shoe.

In theory, when you run on ice, your run gait should not change, but it does. For the spikes to work you firstly, need to trust that they will do the job! Secondly, you need as many spikes as possible in the ice to provide grip. So, when running on the flat, you are looking to land mid-foot as much as possible, so, all those spikes, 12 in this case, can grip. Going uphill you will use the front of the shoe, the Hoka has 8 spikes. Downhill you will use the rear (4 on the Hoka) but if very slippery, you may well find that you try to land with a flat foot. Being ‘light’ on your feet is not a benefit on ice, you need to strike the ground, stick those spikes in and then move on; this is often why ice running is more tiring.

IN USE

Road

©iancorlessWith the above clarified in regard to usage, for me personally, I found the Speedgoat working really well on hard road and trails. The cushioning is welcome; ice running is always hard on the body. There is a great feel for the conditions, bounce and the propulsive phase is very good and the 12 tungsten carbide spikes work exceptionally well. The placement with 4 at the rear and 8 at the front. Notably, 2 are at the very front, perfect when going uphill! Importantly, ice defrosts and often you can find sections with no ice and just road and/ or trail. Many spiked shoes can feel harsh here, but the Speedgoat works well due to the additional cushioning.

Trail

©iancorlessOn some and groomed trail with ice, the feelings and sensations are the same as road. Great feel, good cushioning, and solid grip.

On technical trails, rocks, roots, hard and rutted ice, I find the stack height too high and the shoe becomes unstable. I found myself rolling left or right and for me, it’s a potential ankle sprain waiting to happen.

Snow

©iancorlessIn soft-snow with ice underneath, they work well, but, a lower cushioned shoe works better. After all, the snow cushions anyway, so, the extra shoe cushioning is not required. Once through the snow, the grip is good. It can be hit and miss though, but that is down to conditions and not the shoe. Ultimately, once the snow is deeper, the need for a more aggressive crampon or micro-crampon will be required, and then, you are looking at another shoe.

In very soft-snow I would be using a boot with spikes or the addition of a crampon/ micro-crampon.

THE SHOE

©iancorlessA neutral shoe with a balanced feel and 4mm drop, the Speedgoat 5 is a great feeling shoe, albeit, a little on the heavier side – particularly for a Hoka. Listed weight is 349g.

©iancorless©iancorlessThis incarnation is basically a Speedgoat 5 GTX with the addition of 12 tungsten carbide spikes to provide grip in wintry conditions, particularly ice. The spikes are set with 5mm lugs of Vbram MegaGrip.

©iancorlessAn EVA midsole, sock-liner fit, rubber toe protection and Gore-Tex mesh upper; this shoe is most definitely one to look at if you are in need of a specific winter shoe with extra cushioning.

©iancorlessListed as a trail shoe (which of course it is,) it works exceptionally well on the road too. This shoe is all about providing grip on ice, so, it makes no difference if that ice is on road or trail.

©iancorlessThe Gore-Tex upper will of course cause debate, some hate Gore-Tex in a shoe, others love it. Ultimately it works really well if one is considerate of conditions and one uses common sense. Quite simply, use a merino sock when wearing the shoe, this makes a huge difference. Accept that Gore-Tex will only keep feet warm and dry IF you do not go in anything that is deeper than the shoe… Once you are in anything that reaches the ankle, be that snow or water, it can enter the top of the shoe and therefore impact on the foot inside the shoe. If conditions are like this, you probably need to move a run boot (such as the La Sportiva Cyklon Cross GTX) or think about using a shoe without Gore-Tex. Merino socks are a must though, they retain warmth, even when wet. I have used the Speedgoat 5 in a Norwegian winter, temperatures have reached -20 and ice levels have been high. The Gore-Tex has worked perfectly in keeping my feet warm, especially when wind-chill has been high. The Gore-Tex supplies a combination of waterproofing and breathability, it’s hard to stay perfectly dry, but water does stay on the outside. Perspiration can and does escape from the inside; keeping sweat to a minimum, but that is where merino socks step in. When fresh soft-snow came, I used different shoes so as to ensure I had maximum protection from the elements.

©iancorless©iancorlessThe additional cushioning (29mm/33mm) and bounce has been welcome on harder trails but on technical trails, less so, the risk of ankle roll is too high (for me.) They do keep feet comfortable and supported, maybe even more than the other Speedgoat models. Propulsion is also good through the run gait.

©iancorlessThe wider platform is a hugh benefit in snow and ice as is a wider toe box. The more outsole on the ground, the better the grip. Talking of grip, the spikes are held in Vibram MegaGrip which is tried and tested.

©iancorlessIt has excellent rubber compound, 5mm logs with zonal multi-directional rubber placement, so, when you need the shoe to hold on, they do. Obviously, the 12 tungsten carbide spikes add the icing on the outsole and even when there is no ice, these spikes offer stunning grip on trail – ask any orienteer!

©iancorlessEverything about the Hoka works really well, they are comfortable, spacious, great foot-hold, medium heel hold and toe protection is superb.

CONCLUSION

©iancorlessWinter shoes are very specific and if you only run on ice a few times a year, the additional expense is probably not worth it. Get some micro-crampons and use them on your favourite trail shoes.

However, if like me, pretty much every run for weeks and months involves ice, a specific spiked shoe is a must. The feel for the ground is so much better than any ‘add-on.’ Usual caveats as in points above, 3 and 4 need consideration.

The Hoka Speedgoat 5 GTX with spikes brings something new to the market, I have many spiked shoes, this one is the first with ‘more’ cushioning. For many, it will be a god send! The shoe performs great, and if you are already a Hoka user, you will love the Speedgoat.

For me though, this shoe has it’s place and uses, I have enjoyed road runs with ice, I have enjoyed non-technical trail runs with ice BUT anything technical and/ or with additional snow, I have used another shoe. It’s a me thing!

The Speedgoat 5 GTX with spikes is ideal for any runner looking for a robust, winter trail running shoe with comfort. They have great grip on frozen terrain and come recommended.

*As a footnote, I have become aware of the Icebug Arcus which may well be worth consideration if cushioning is your thing. And, this shoe has 13 studs.

My recommendations? The Asics Gel Fujisetsu 3 G-TX is still the shoe to beat for ice and winter running. The La Sportiva Blizzard GTX (think point 3 above) is an amazing winter boot with studs and when conditions need something more, the La Sportiva Cyklon Cross GTX or Scarpa Ribelle Run Kalibra G are perfect for snow and adding a micro-crampon.

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©iancorlessWinter 2022 and 2023 has witnessed a surge in specific shoes to handle challenging terrain. I recently reviewed the La Sportiva Cyklon Cross GTX and now the SCARPA RIBELLE RUN KALIBRA G.

©iancorlessBoth these shoes are very specific for demanding winter, mixed terrain and extreme condition runners, especially when it is muddy, cold, wet, snowing or a combination of all four.

Both shoes offer greater protection and enhanced reliability in harsh environments.

Built around the very popular and well received Ribelle Run shoe, the Kalibra G has a full gaiter and BOA® Fit System closure.

©iancorlessThere are many similarities to the La Sportiva and it’s hard to write this review without constantly referencing the Cyklon Cross GTX as a comparison. Ultimately, if you are after a specific shoe like this, these are the two you will look at!

©iancorlessOn first looks, they both offer great outsoles for harsh conditions, all weather protection and the BOA closure.

However, there are differences:

The gaiter comes higher on the Scarpa and the zip wraps-around in contrast to offering a more straight closure on the La Sportiva. There is also a velcro cuff at the top to add enhanced tightness/ closure.
The toe box is wider offering more toe splay.
There is extra cushioning offering a more plush and bouncy ride.
The BOA system offers a wrap-around the foot with increased foot hold and security.
The drop is lower at 4mm with 20.5mm at the front and 24.5mm at the rear.
The upper includes Polartec® Windbloc® for additional warmth.

Subtle differences but they are significant and certainly offer a choice.

THE SHOE

©iancorlessBlue and black, the Scarpa is a great looking shoe and when on the foot they immediately scream that they are a shoe that means business. Scarpa say that the shoe is ideal in summer or winter, however, like the La Sportiva, as much as I would like to use a shoe like this all-year around, they will just be too hot for summer! My feet have actually sweated in -4 degree walks in snow while using the Scarpa.

It’s a technical shoe for soft-ground, snow and mountain adventures. Like the La Sportiva, I had hoped for spikes, but alas no! Unlike the La Sportiva, there is no real option to ‘add’ spikes, so, in ice, you’ll need to use a micro crampon.

©iancorlessFit is superb. They are true to size and maybe a touch on the larger side, but that is okay for a winter shoe as you will use thicker socks. I strongly recommend a higher sock that comes well above the ankle and is ideally made from merino wool. The Scarpa comes up high!

Lacing in both the La Sportiva and Scarpa is superb and here, the ability to adjust tightness is done from the outside, so, there is no need to open the gaiter once running. Micro adjustment is ‘on-the-go,’ via the L2 BOA – perfect for a winter shoe and yes, you can keep gloves on. The lacing, even though similar, is different. Scarpa use a Wrap360 Lace System which really does hold the foot without pressure points.

©iancorlessThe upper of the Ribelle Run is light and breathable with mesh, TPU and a microfiber structure. It’s wrapped in a Polartec® Windbloc® polyurethane membrane that offers protection and warmth. Closure is via a waterproof zip and velcro cuff and of course the shoe is tightened via the BOA once the gaiter is zipped and closed. It all works perfectlty. In contrast to the La Sportiva, there is additional fabric that offers some space and expansion, whereas the La Sportiva is snug, secure and sleek.

©iancorlessThe outsole is Scrapa’s own PRESA® TRN-04 which has been specifically designed for challenging terrain. The lugs are 5mm in contrast to 7mm on the La Sportiva and quite simply, the La Sportiva wins on grip. Scarpa say that the SUPERGUM W runner will grip ice and snow – no! They work in snow great, but not ice. Studs work on ice and that applies for the La Sportiva too.

IN USE

©iancorlessGreat looks and great fit. The Scarpa is a pleasure to wear on the trail irrespective of conditions and with or without a micro-crampon. Warmth is excellent and resistance to water is superb. I had dry feet on every run. A ´WINTHERM` layer provides excellent breathability and insulates the feet from the cold. It also is designed to reflect heat in summer… They are NOT for summer! They are a very warm shoe!

©iancorlessIt’s difficult to say how far I could run in this shoe, it’s comfortable and adequately cushioned with a constant feel for the ground. There is more room than the La Sportiva and certainly feel like an ‘all-day’ shoe. If running in mud, soft-ground and snow, you could keep going and going as the ground adds to the cushioning. On harsh, hard and rocky terrain, I still had plenty of comfort. Within the midsole is a Dynamic Stabiliser Torsion frame made of TPU. This enhances rear foot stability by wrapping under the arch, it also brings torsion control.

The grip is excellent on a multitude of terrain but in contrast to the La Sportiva, not as secure or convincing. The shoe takes a micro-crampon perfectly. I used the Camp Ice Master in really challenging conditions and the lighter/ faster Nortec Trail when conditions required. Run feel is great BUT it is never as good as a specific studded shoe. However, if fresh snow, you don’t notice any difference.

It’s a solid shoe with loads of protection. They are bulletproof and surprisingly light considering how well made they are! 384g for an EU44.5.

The inner shoe is supportive and secure (it’s excellent), and a thick gusseted tongue protects. Heel area is also great. They are supremely comfortable.

©iancorlessToe protection is superb.

CONCLUSION

The Scarpa is a superb shoe that does the business in harsh, winter and tough conditions. They are so good, they make a great mountain shoe at any time of year. Even if they will be too warm in spring and summer. There are so many positives that it’s hard to find any negatives, however, in comparison to the La Sportiva, the outsole is not as aggressive. By contrast though, the Scarpa has more toe space, arguably a better foot-hold (but both are excellent) and more cushioning. It’s all down to personal preferences and in reality, you would need to try the La Sportiva against the Scarpa and make a decision. Both put a smile on my face and I am happy I can switch between the two! I have no problem using either shoe and during winter I have alternated between the two. If I had to make a choice, I’d struggle. The La Sportiva is great on faster runs, the Scarpa a great all-day shoe. You decide what you need!

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Episode 233 of Talk Ultra – YES we are back! With Speedgoat Karl co-hosting and an in-depth interview with Courtney Dauwalter.

It has been a long time, and we can only apologise. Life, family and extensive travel had an impact on available time and while it’s always possible to ‘find some time’ somewhere, the podcast had to be sidelined for the beginning of 2023.

Lanzarote Training Camp, Oman Desert Marathon, The Coastal Challenge, Black Canyon Ultra, a photoshoot for adidas and lastly Transgrancanaria, it was a hectic start to ’23!’

Lanzarote Training Camp HERE
Oman Desert Marathon HERE
The Coastal Challenge HERE
Transgrancanaria HERE

But hey, no better way to return than with an in-depth interview with the Queen of Trail, Courtney Dauwalter.

©iancorlessCourtney just recently won Transgrancanaria with a course record and sub 15-hour performance, once again placing in the top-10 overall.

The interview with Courtney starts at 00:21:00

You can listen to the show on ANCHOR by Spotify HERE

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Our web page at www.iancorless.com has all our links and back catalogue.

Please support Talk Ultra by becoming a Patreon at www.patreon.com/talkultra and THANKS to all our Patrons who support us.

THE SHOW

Spotify HERE

ITunes HERE

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©iancorlessThe La Sportiva Cyklon with BOA® Fit System was a revelation on its release and without a doubt, it has been a perfect shoe for mountain adventures in challenging terrain. On first impressions, the Cyklon could almost have been mistaken for a lightweight boot due to the built in sock-liner which comes higher up the leg, to ankle height which has two purposes: 1. It keeps out debris from entering the shoe. 2. It provides additional support.

The CYKLON is a unique shoe in that it almost occupied its own category, a crossover between mountain running shoe and boot. IT excelled in challenging terrain with incredible foot hold, protection and a great outsole. Standout features were the sock-like fit in conjunction with the BOA/ Dynamic Cage which provided me with arguably one of the most secure footholds I have experienced.

Now, La Sportiva have stepped up the game with the recent release of the Cyklon Cross GTX. Living in Norway, this has been one of my ‘go-to’ shoe throughout the winter months when snow and ice have been my ‘normal’ running conditions.

©iancorlessIn simple terms and for ease of clarification, imagine a Cyklon shoe wrapped in a water-repellent gaiter designed to keep snow, mud, ice, water, and other unwanted elements away from the foot.

©iancorless Add an external zip allowing ease of access and a BOA® Fit System to ‘dial’ how tight or loose the fit of the shoe is, and an aggressive grip made from FriXion® White you have arguably, one of ‘the’ ultimate off-road/ mountain shoes when conditions are harsh.

©iancorless©iancorlessMy first impressions were one of disappointment, why were there no metal studs on the outsole as La Sportiva have on the Blizzard GTX (here)? Of course, I understood why, you really limit the market and the use of the shoe with studs, but here in Norway, you ‘always’ need spikes from November through to March and even April.

However, having messaged Jono Wyatt at La Sportiva asking the above question, his reply was as I expected, “We need to appeal to a larger market to make the shoe viable, but this outsole is designed to be used with AT Grip spikes to enhance grip on snowy and icy terrain.”

Problem solved – the AT Grip HERE is a multi-purpose, adjustable spike, it can be added to the sole quickly, guaranteeing maximum safety and grip on any type of terrain and under any conditions.

So, with my personal ‘needs’ covered re the spikes, I decided NOT to add the AT spikes and try the shoes in a multitude of terrain and as and when required, add micro-spikes (Nortec HERE for example) for ice conditions. Micro-spikes do provide more grip than studs, but the running experience is not as good as a specific winter stud shoe.

THE SHOE

©iancorlessIf you used the Cyklon, you are going to love the Cyklon Cross GTX. For me, it takes everything I loved about the original Cyklon and adds a level of refinement that makes this incarnation a pleasure to wear.

Notably, the BOA® Fit System is in a different place to the original Cyklon and now it is clear of the ankle – a problem area for some.

©iancorlessSliding your foot into the boot and it immediately feels like wearing a pair of gloves, without the BOA® Fit System adjusted, they already feel snug. Engage the BOA and twist and the foot is held snug with the option to micro-adjust tighter (or looser) based on personal needs or conditions. Then pull up the zip. The whole foot and well above the ankle is enclosed in a wonderfully snug Gore-Tex protection against the elements. The plus being that shoe adjustment can be done, ‘on-the-go’ with gloves on at any time while out on a run. Perfect!

©iancorlessComfort level is extremely high. In all honesty, it’s a game changer for winter conditions. I do recommend using a higher sock that extends beyond the top of the shoe, it increases comfort. I also recommend that you use merino.

©iancorlessMany will say that there is no need for Gore-Tex in a running shoe. And usually, I would agree, especially for a shoe when water can enter below the ankle. Here though, the Cyklon Cross GTX comes much higher with a tight enclosure. It really does reduce what ‘can’ enter the shoe, and, in 3-months of winter running not once have my feet been wet. But go in water (deep) that extends beyond the top of the shoe and yes, water will enter, albeit much slower than any other shoe I have used. For clarity, I have run on many frozen ponds and puddles recently, often breaking through the ice to enter the water below, still no wet feet!

©iancorlessThe grip is excellent on rock, mud, trees and all trail conditions, especially soft snow. Add micro-spikes for ice and you have a perfect ice shoe, albeit not as comfortable as a specific ice shoe, but on many occasions, I have gladly used this boot as an alternative, especially when encountering fresh snow with ice underneath, the boot offers more warmth and comfort.

©iancorlessFeel for the ground is superb. They are cushioned but not too much. They combine comfort and excellent proprioception so that you feel at one with the terrain and always in control. Propulsive phase is superb and all-around comfort is magnificent. The Cyklon Cross GTX feels so good that I’d love to use them beyond the winter months, they would make excellent mountain shoes for all-year BUT I fear, they will be too warm in late spring and summer.

©iancorlessThe toe bumper is robust and amazingly protective.

Despite the obvious appeals for winter and mountain running, the Cyklon Cross GTX is ideally placed for ‘fast-and-light’ alpinism when a normal shoe just wouldn’t cut it, think of Monte Rosa Skymarathon as a prime example.

A neutral fit I suggest you size up. I find that with La Sportiva I always need to do this; I am usually an EU 44 (UK9.5) but with La Sportiva I am in EU 45. Weight of an EU 45 is 382g which is quite incredible for a shoe with such solid build. Drop is 8mm.

Looks are awesome – the classic La Sportiva yellow/ black is stunning.

CONCLUSION

The La Sportiva Cyklon Cross GTX gets a 9.5/10 from me. Why not 10? Well, I’d love to see them ‘with’ a winter spike, but I fully understand why a spike is not standard. At least La Sportiva have thought of this with an appropriate outsole and the option of AT spikes.

Amazing foothold, amazing grip, warm, durable and dare I say, bullet proof. This is a shoe that makes me smile and want to run in harsh, cold, and tough conditions. BOA is the perfect fit system here and arguably it’s a best-case scenario allowing the user to adjust the shoe when running, especially when wearing gloves on.

The ride is predictably stable, firm, protective and suitable for any terrain and they excel in mud and snow. Ground feel is superb with adequate comfort.

They look awesome and surprisingly streamlined. When zipped up, they fit snug, some would even say tight, which only adds to the secure and warm feeling.

They are not cheap at 260 euros, but this is a specific bespoke shoe and if used as intended, they will last year-on-year for many winters.

Quite simply, one of the best, (if not the best) winter shoes I have ever used !

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©iancorlessLocated in the Mediterranean Sea, the Balearic Island of Menorca has long been a more low-key holiday location, in contrast to its immediate neighbours of Ibiza and Mallorca. With an area on just 700 km square, Menorca is a small island full of endless beaches, pine trees, turquoise water, rugged coastline, and a winding network of trails. Mahon is the capital and Ciutadella de Menorca is the second largest centre on the opposite side of the island, both filled with narrow streets and wonderful architecture. There is a great deal to love and appreciate in Menorca.

©iancorlessWith a highest elevation point of 358m (Monte Torro), Menorca is essentially flat. However, if you journey around the coastline, you soon realise that the rollercoaster of trails that continually take you up and down make a circumnavigation of the island, a challenge.

©iancorlessDesignated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (1993) the island is a paradise for botanists, especially in spring when meadows are carpeted with wildflowers. Calm, peaceful, rest and relaxation, Menorca is, without doubt, not the party destination as associated with its nearest rivals. Culture, gastronomy, local products and produce, places of interest, Menorca is waiting to be explored.

Many ask, what is the best way to see the island of Menorca? The immediate answer, is nearly always, rent a car and go explore…

©iancorlessAsk a trail runner, and the answer is clear, ‘Enter Trail Menorca!’

Trail Menorca, created 10-years ago utilizes the ‘Camí De Cavalls’ GR223 route to journey around the island either in entirety (185km,) or in sections broken down as 100km, 85km, 58km, 45km, and 27km. North or south, Menorca has a great deal to offer, there is no better way to explore than by running or walking this hidden gem of the Mediterranean. As the race says, 7 adventures, 1 legend.

©iancorlessThe Camí de Cavalls (way of the horses) according to some sources goes back to the 14th century. Named after the ‘Cavalleries’ (knights) who were charged with defending the perimeter of the island from invading forces – pirates! The 360-degree route that weaves around the island with watch towers and trenches randomly located for protection; both still in existence to this day were created by the British who marked the path to defend against the constant sieges of invaders.

©iancorlessIn the 1990’s, after long and lengthy protests, much of the Camí de Cavalls which had been closed for decades, was once again made accessible. Finally, some of the most pristine landscape and coastline of the Mediterranean was once again available to be explored. With 185kms of marked trail, 130 bays and coves, desert like beaches, dense woodland, rugged, harsh and rocky terrain, the GR223 became a reason to journey to Menorca for an active holiday. For many, the journey takes at least one week to complete the circular route, while 10-14 days is more normal. Off limits to cars, a journey must be undertaken on foot, by bike or horse; or maybe a combination of all 3!

©iancorlessHowever, in May every year, Trail Menorca provides the opportunity to experience the Camí de Cavalls over a stunning weekend of racing. Breaking the island down in to north and south sections, runners can decide a distance and direction. The north being more rugged, exposed, and rough. The south more groomed, tranquil, and picturesque with the turquoise Mediterranean as a backdrop.

©iancorlessThe 185km route (TMCdC) starts in Ciutadella and travels clockwise providing a full, immersive and difficult 360-degree journey. The other routes all conclude in Ciutadella but start in different areas of the island and then either travel clockwise or anti-clockwise to return to the finish.

The TMCN 100km starts at 0100am in Maó and travels north winding through rugged coastline of exposed and harsh terrain.

The TMCS 85km starts in Es Castell and weaves its way through the full length of the south coast and its incredible coves and beaches.

The PTCN 58km starts in Fornells and concludes in Ciutadella taking in the final sections of the TMCN route.

The PTCS 45km starts in Es Migjorn Gran and arguably provides the most beautiful and picturesque journey of the whole GR233 route.

Finally, the STCN 26km, which starts in La Vall provides an entry level distance travelling the final section (or opening sections, depending on direction) of the GR233. Enough to whet the appetite to return the following year and take on a longer distance.

©iancorlessThe beauty of Trail Menorca is that you can quite easily race year-on-year and never have the same race experience as it is possible to run north or south sections over multiple distances. Perfect for those who consider the full 185km route a step too far!

Menorca may not have high mountains, but what it does have is unique and special. There is an incredible beauty and calm in Menorca. Racing is just one attraction, the opportunity to chill, relax, recuperate, and enjoy the islands gastronomy post-race makes this Balearic gem an essential to-do list location.

©iancorlessJOIN THE 2023 EVENT

Race website HERE

The 2023 edition is already close, but it is not too late to join Trail Menorca!

‘Trail Menorca Camí de Cavalls is an opportunity to discover what is hidden on this wonderful island, jewel of the Mediterranean, beyond its fantastic beaches. Running on tarmac, road, track, rocks, forest trails and depending on the race and distance, experience a night illuminated by stars. Come and immerse yourself in the beauty of Menorca.’

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Courtney Dauwalter #goat ©iancorlessTransgrancanaria, year-on-year, the race continues to grow and expand and in 2023, once again, a new level has been reached! For ’23,’ Instead of gathering all races in one weekend, this edition was extended to five days. Overall, more than 3,600 runners from more than 60 different nationalities took part in any of the eight races, the most important change for 2023 was to increase the number of race days to five. Shorter races, were moved to Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning including the KV El Gigante, Starter, Promo, Youth, Family, a non-competitive kids race and the marathon.

Epic landscape ©iancorlessThe ‘Classic’ and ‘Marathon’ races were broadcast, worldwide, with more than 17 hours of live streaming. In total, 16 cameras offered full coverage during the two days of broadcasting with English and Spanish ‘live’ commentary. In addition, journalists, photographers and related media provided global exposure of one of ‘the’ key trail running events in the world.

Transgrancanaria, at the sharp edge of trail running ©iancorlessTransgrancanaria is part of the Spartan Trail World Championship circuit and four races of the TGC week are awarded with ITRA points. As a result, this recognition translated into better prizes for the winners. The Spartan Trail World Championship has awarded $30,000 to the top three finishers of Transgrancanaria 2023.

Gemma Arenas on her way to victory in the Advanced race ©iancorlessA CLASSIC EDITION

From the short and sharp KV to the long and arduous Classic, Transgrancanaria has something for all. However, the pinnacle race of the week is the 128km ‘Classic’ with 7060m of vertical gain. All who toe the line to undertake the challenge are heroes, however, in 2023 a special mention must go to the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) Courtney Dauwalter who not only placed 7th overall on GC but ran under 15 hours to stop the clock in 14:40:39. Courtney, over the years, has slowly but surely ticked off victories in the worlds biggest ultras and in the process, along with course records, has set a new level in this crazy sport of ultra running. Now she has a Transgrancanaria course record to add to the list.

©iancorlessCanada’s Jasmine Lowther and Catalonia’s Claudia Tremps placed 2nd and 3rd, for perspective, they were almost 2-hours behind the trailblazing ‘Court!’ One has to ask the question, what is next for this amazing athlete.

Claudia Tremps 3rd place ©iancorlessIn the men’s category, Andreu Simón was the fastest of all in 13:29:33 with an impressive run from the front, his victory never looked in question. A previous winner in Transgrancanari,, 2020 and 2021 in the Marathon distance.

Andreu Simón on his way to victory ©iancorlessMiguel Arsénio from Portugal and Tyler Green (America) completed the podium, 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Tyler Green ©iancorlessOTHER RESULTS

George Foster and Azara García won the Advanced, while the Marathon went to Kenyan Robert Pkemoi, and Catalan Nuria Gil. Poland’s Bart Przedwojewski did a double win with Starter and KV El Gigante, while Switzerland’s Rea Iseli won Starter women’s category. Poland’s Katarzyna Solińska joined her countryman Przedwojewski as winner of the KV El Gigante.

France’s Enzo Rati and Italy’s Cecilia Basso Promo finished on top of the podium in the Promo category. In the Youth category, a French double win for Camille Cucherousset and Lili Perignon.

Magical Gran Canaria ©iancorlessCLASSIFICATION

Classic 128 KmGeneral Men

Andreu Simón (SPA) 13:29:33
Miguel Arsénio (POR) 13:44:37
Tyler Green (USA) 14:06:46

General Women

Courtney Dauwalter (USA) 14:40:39
Jazmine Lowther (CAN) 16:26:41
Claudia Tremps (SPA) 16:33:34

Advanced 84 KmGeneral Men

George Foster (GBR) 08:29:14
Alexander Hutter (AUT) 08:45:15
Tom Joly (GBR) 08:49:19

General Women

Azara García de los Salmones (SPA)09:45:54
Johanna Antila (FIN) 09:55:48
Giulia Vinco (ITA) 10:20:38

Marathon 45 KmGeneral Men

Robert Pkemoi (KEN) 03:25:30
Roberto Delorenzi (SWI) 03:33:20
Juho Ylinen (FIN) 03:34:19

General Women

Nuria Gil (SPA) 04:08:00
Johanna Amström (SWE) 04:18:11
Gemma Arenas (SPA) 04:21:32

Starter 24 KmGeneralMen

Bart Przedwojewski (POL) 02:02:48.500
Alex García (SPA) 02:02:48.940
Christopher Richards (GBR) 02:04:50

General Women

Rea Iseli (SWI) 02:35:33
Mireia Pons (SPA) 02:40:54
Noemie Vachon (FRA) 02:44:04

PromoGeneral Men

Enzo Rati (FRA) 00:59:47
Wilson Cardoso (CPV) 01:00:34
Damián Ramis (SPA) 01:02:56

General Women

Cecilia Basso (ITA) 01:09:13
Ainara Uribarri (SPA) 01:11:51
Saida Martín (SPA) 01:30:59

YouthGeneral Men

Camille Cucherousset (FRA) 00:58:12
Javier Moreno (SPA) 01:07:06
Jiri Vemola (CZE) 01:44:00

General Women

Lili Perignon (FRA) 01:53:18
Sohvi Vapaaoksa (FIN) 01:56:10
Noelia Santana (SPA) 02:26:31

KV El GiganteGeneral Men

Bart Przedwojewski (POL) 00:39:46
Yoel de Paz (SPA) 00:40:12
Henri Aymonod (ITA) 00:40:47

General Women

Katarzyna Solińska (POL) 00:50:32
Marie Dessart (BEL) 00:51:18
Sophie Horrocks (GBR) 00:57:07

Past winner, Pau Capell missed the podium this year ©iancorlessFollow on:

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The women’s podium, Katie Schide, Paolo Herrera and Tomomi Bitoh ©iancorlessThe 2023 The Coastal Challenge concluded today in Bahiá Drake on the north side of the Osa Peninsula located on the coast of southwestern Costa Rica.

Party time on the trail ©iancorlessIn many respects, the 2023 race concluded in regards to general classification after stage 5 when Didrik Hermansen opened up a 20-minute gap over race leader, Mathieu Blanchard.

©iancorlessIt was clear as day 6 started that there would be no racing, instead a victory loop with friends.

Mathieu leading through Naguala waterfall ©iancorlessFor the women, the same applied, Katie Schide ran conservatively enjoying the day. Tomomi Bitoh ran in 2nd place and Paolo Herrera took it easy finishing in 3rd with a 2nd place on GC confirmed.

Katie on the home straight to the finish ©iancorlessStage 6 is a highlight of TCC with a loop that manages to encapsulate a little of everything that has gone before in the previous five stages. Gravel roads, river running, waterfall crossings, water crossing, beaches, rocks, coasteering and of course, heat and humidity.

©iancorlessIt was a day to run slower, with friends, enjoy the views and get ready to relax and recover.

Tomomi 3rd place ©iancorlessAs with all races, there was plenty of emotion at the finish line, tears, joy and relief.

©iancorlessNow it’s time to relax, hang up the run shoes and enjoy some down time. Next year is the 20th edition of TCC, already the plans are being made for a special edition.

©iancorlessClassification: (times to follow)

Didrik Hermansen
Mathieu Blanchard
Dani Jung
Katie Schide
Paolo Herrera
Tomomi Bitoh

©iancorless#tcc2023

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Didrik Hermansen ©iancorlessCrossing the Sierpe river at dawn with a new sun welcoming the day, stage 5 of TCC is always a key day due to large amounts of gravel road, a technical and steep descent, the iconic estuary crossing and the heat and humidity that punishes the runner’s when they leave the shade.

©iancorlessOf course, all the talk was about Mathieu Blanchard and Didrik Hermansen, we and they knew it was going to be a key day. The writing was on the wall when Didrik offered Mathieu his hand before the start, it was a clear statement of let the best man win.

©iancorlessIn the early stages the duo were matched but it didn’t take long before Mathieu dropped back on one of the early climbs. As the race progressed, this gap opened and at first it was difficult to ascertain if this was a tactic by Mathieu?

©iancorlessAt CP2 the gap was 3-minutes, at CP3 it was 6-minutes. Didrik was pushing hard and looking relaxed and in control.

©iancorlessMathieu by contrast seemed to be off his normal relaxed look. The toll of 4 hard stage was taking its toll and it was clear to see.

©iancorlessDidrik came to the estuary crossing, 4km to go. He jumped on the boat, crossed and pushed for the line.

©iancorlessIt was over 20-minutes later when Mathieu arrived. It’s fair to say, the 2023 TCC was decided today. Didrik’s effort, pace and consistency has been text book stage racing.

“After yesterday, I would not have been happy with 2nd. So the plan was to push the pace. Mathieu was having a bad day and he let me go early. I pushed and kept it steady. I opened a gap and more, and more minutes. It was motivating. I had considered taking it easy and saving something for stage 6, but, if Mathieu was having a bad day, I decided to push and get more time. It’s not over, we still have a day to go.” – Didrik Hermansen

Mathieu joking before the start ©iancorless“Yes a tough day. But last night I had already decided to go easier. Yesterday I witnessed Didrik push the downhill at an incredible pace. I little bit mad maybe? But for me, it’s February, I have a long season and I can’t risk it all here in Costa Rica. Today we had another downhill like yesterday, he took many minutes again and it’s just not possible for me to get that time back when he runs so well. I came here for an adventure and fun, I didn’t expect these first 4-days and such a pace. I am very happy.” – Mathieu Blanchard

©iancorlessFor the women, Katie Schide had a controlled and relaxed day. Her lead is far in advance of 2nd and 3rd and still she was able to take another stage win.

Paolo Herrera ©iancorlessBehind, Tomomi Bitoh started strong leading Paolo Herrera. But as the day passed they switched places and although close together at the end, it was another solid 2nd for Paolo.

©iancorlessTomorrow, the final stage at 35.7km and with 875m+ is to all intents and purposes a victory loop, if you can call running 35.7km a victory loop. With GC places decided, I don’t anticipate a charge from Mathieu, so, let’s expect a Pura Vida loop of enjoyment.

©iancorlessStage Reasults:

Didrik Hermansen 3:59:38
Mathieu Blanchard 4:22:14
Dani Jung 4:55:02
Katie Schide 5:22:47
Paolo Herrera 5:55:55
Tomomi Bitoh 6:02:26

©iancorless#tcc2023

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Head-to-head, Mathieu and Didrik ©iancorlessStage 4 of The Coastal Challenge and today, the runner’s move away from the coast and climb high on the relentlessly rolling terrain that is backed by the Talamanca range.

©iancorlessSteep climbs, steep descents and technical terrain. It’s a tough stage, especially when you add heat and humidity.

Mathieu Blanchard ©iancorlessToday, was an anticipated key stage for Mathieu Blanchard and Didrik Hermansen, the duo have been closely matched each day and despite Didrik’s best efforts, Mathieu has come 1st each day.

©iancorlessThe duo today once again went head-to-head, it’s stunning to watch and also exhausting. The pace is unbelievable and between them it’s impossible to tell who is the most tired.

©iancorlessAt each point along the route they were never more than meters apart but for those watching, and knowing the course, the crux would come at the end of the day with a very steep and technical descent to the line.

©iancorlessDidrik threw caution to the wind and attacked. The gap opened and opened and he crossed the line in 4:39:23.

The clock ticked, 1-minute, 2-minutes and Mathieu crossed in 4:42:23, exactly a 3-minute gap. Wow! Seriously exciting racing and then the calculations, had Mathieu held the overall on GC?

Yes, 16:48:32 for Mathieu and 16:49:16 for Didrik. Before stage 4, the 19th edition of the TCC was witnessing an epic race, now stages 5 and 6 are going to be epic. Who’s your money on?

©iancorlessDani Jung once again placed 3rd looking relaxed despite a sleepless night. He had questioned wether to start, gladly he did.

“I had to do something, I felt during the days I was better than him on the downhill and I was willing to take the risk, I couldn’t believe I would take 3-minutes… It’s a real fun battle, we are neck-and-neck, we are so similar in strength. It’s fun, it’s cool. Nice to finally take a stage. I feel as though I could have pushed harder. I wanted to win and obviously reduce the gap. I am prepared to fight and compete, if I come 2nd so be it, but I will fight!” – Didrik Hermansen

By contrast, Mathieu looked relaxed post-race and he was candid with his thoughts.

“Didrik went down the last decent like a mad man. It was steep, technical with many potential problems. I have a long season ahead and I wasn’t prepared to risk everything here. I feel good, so, let’s see what happens.”

Katie Scide ©iancorlessFor the women, Katie Schide was a long way clear of any other competition and looked relaxed on the trail. Victory in the 2023 The Coastal Challenge is hers to lose, so, she just needs to run smart over the next two days.

Tomomi Bitoh 2nd on the stage ©iancorlessTomomi Bitoh today ran strong and finished 2nd ahead of 2nd on GC, Paolo Herrera. The gap between the two only 6-minutes.

With no ocean and beaches, today was a contrast of farms, farmland, animals and epic rural vistas. It felt like ‘real’ Costa Rica.

©iancorless©iancorlessTomorrow stage 5 with 40.6km and 1670m+.

Stage Results:

Didrik Hermansen 4:39:33
Mathieu Blanchard 4:42:23
Dani Jung 5:15:57
Katie Schide – 6:11:08
Tomomi Bitoh – 6:40:10
Paolo Herrera – 6:46:11

#tcc2023

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Didrik Hermansen ©iancorlessThe ‘Queen Stage’ of The Coastal Challenge at 49km’s is for many, a highlight stage. Have no doubts though. it’s a tough one!

A rollercoaster day, the early km’s are spent boulder hopping through a river bed and then the impressive Nauyaca Waterfalls.

Nauyaca Waterfalls ©iancorlessFire roads, steep climbs, brutal descents and eventually a beach section arrives before several water crossings and then a very demanding road section leading to camp 3.

It may come as no surprise that Mathieu Blanchard and Didrik Hermansen dominated the day. The duo battled it out foot-for-foot in an impressive display of tenacity, grit and endurance.

Didrik and Mathieu head-to-head ©iancorlessWith less than 10km’s to go they were neck-and-neck, the final sections of road certainly would play in to the hands of Didrik.

Mathieu Blanchard ©iancorlessBut no, the strength of Mathieu is currently off-the-scale and he managed to apply pressure and win by 2-minutes, 4:51 to 4:53 respectively.

Dani Jung chilling out ©iancorlessDani Jung ran a solid day, with the withdrawal of Sebastian Krogvig and now Peter van der Zon, Dan’s 3rd place is secure and so he ran a smart race.

Katie Schide ©iancorlessFor the women, Katie Schide set the pace early on and by the waterfall she already had a huge lead. When Marianne Hogan finally arrived, all was not well, she was suffering… Marianne would eventually drop at CP2 with a sprained ankle.

Paolo Herrera ©iancorlessThis opened the door for Costa Rican, Paola Herrera to move into a strong 2nd place.Tomomi Bitoh now in 3rd.

Katie cooling down ©iancorlessKatie once again clinched victory with a huge margin, she just needs to now run smart for the remaining three days. Paolo is on a strong 2nd and Tomomi a secure 3rd. However, we are only halfway through TCC and the first three stages have only confirmed one thing, anything can happen!

Tomomi Bitoh ©iancorlessStage 4 tomorrow at 35.5km and with 2434m+ is considered ‘a very tough day’ by the race organisation

Stage Results:

Mathieu Blanchard 4:51
Didrik Hermansen 4:53
Dani Jung 5:35
Katie Schide – tbc
Paolo Herrera – tbc
Tomomi Bitoh – tbc

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Katie Schide ©iancorlessIt was a 0330am wake-up in camp this morning with race start at 0530am. It may sound early, but trust me, the earlier hours pay dividends for everyone. Body clocks are now reset, bed between 1900-1800, wake-up 0330.

©iancorlessSebastian Krogvig unfortunately succumbed to his sickness and did not finish day 1. He will rest and recovery and hopefully rejoin the race in the later stages for fun.

Peter van der Zon struggling in the early stages of day 2 ©iancorlessMood in camp was buoyant, however, nobody was under any illusion of the severity of the TCC. The heat and humidity are one thing, but the fire roads, climbs, technical trails and long stretches of no shade a punishing.

Mathieu Blanchard taking the lead ©iancorless “They say Marathon des Sables is hot, it’s nothing in comparison to this. I was in the ‘notorious’ October MDS that had intense heat, trust me, it’s hotter here!” – Mathieu Blanchard

Sunrise ©iancorlessClimbing out of camp, mountain man Dani Jung was in his element and he lead Mathieu Blanchard and Didrik Hermansen. Peter van der Zon was a way back, it was obvious he was struggling… As he passed he mentioned tight hip flexors.

Didrik Hermansen ©iancorlessFor the women, Marianne Hogan had a very small lead over Katie Schide. Katie looking strong, the previous night she had questioned if she should withdraw from the race as illness from previous days had returned on stage 1 making for a tough day.

©iancorlessDidrik and Mathieu set a relentless pace, they are very well matched. Running at this pace and in this heat and humidity, victory may well come down to the one who manages effort the best, it’s a fine line.

In the final 10km Mathieu opened a slender lead and Didrik chased. The gap remained and it was another victory for Mathieu.

©iancorlessIn the women’s race, Katie opened a gap on Marianne and in the final 7km that gap opened, post-race on the finish line Katie discussed her race:

“I was so happy to recover from yesterday, that was helped by cooler temperatures and a climb to start the day today… I had planned to run with Marianne but on one of the more technical sections I opened up a gap. When I eventually looked around Marianne was not there, I hope she is okay?”

Marianne Hogan with a strong finish ©iancorlessMarianne was okay and finished strong with a smile looking relaxed and at ease. With 4-days to go and a long day tomorrow, there are no guarantees, the men’s and women’s races are still wide-open.

Paolo Herrera flying the Costa Rican flag ©iancorlessThe biggest change of the day was with the 3rd place woman, Paolo Herrera. She ran an incredibly strong and consistent race to finish with a good margin over Tomomi Bitoh, this making the local Costa Rican contingent very happy.

Stage Results

Mathieu Blanchard 3:38:01
Didrik Hermansen 3:38:29
Dani Jung 3:57:15
Katie Schide 4:22:47
Marianne Hogan 4:37:12
Paola Herrera 5:18:28

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Mathieu Blanchard ©iancorlessIt was an early start (0300) leaving San Jose and heading to the Pacific Coast for the stage 1 of the 2023 The Coastal Challenge starting at Del Rey beach, Quepos.

This year, the shorter Adventure category and the longer Expedition category would run different distances for stage 1. In the past, they have run the same course.

Expedition would run 41km with 1071m vertical gain and the Adventure, 32km.

©iancorlessGetting underway before 0800, the rewards were blessed with cooler’ temperatures for the first hour, however, cooler is all relative when on the coast, it was still hot!

Sebastian Krogvig ©iancorlessOvernight, Sebastian Krogvig unfortunately had picked up some sickness, although feeling generally okay, it was clear as the stage started he was not 100%. He struggled with any pace, it was a tough day…

Didrik Hermansen pushing the pace ©iancorlessDidrik Hermansen though set his stall out from the start setting a strong pace. He was followed by Dani Jung, Mathieu Blanchard and Peter van der Zon.

Checkpoint 1 and there was no change, the pace by Didrik and Mathieu was fast.

As the race progressed, Didrik and Mathieu took a wrong turn and lost in the region of 1.5km allowing Peter and Dani to take the lead. They chased, caught them and then once again pushed ahead in 1st and 2nd.

Peter van der Zon at the finish©iancorlessPeter started to struggle in the heat and Dani started to hold on to the duo. However, Mathieu found the energy to break away and take victory on stage one, closely followed by Didrik and Dani.

“Very happy, a hot day. In Canada it was -40, today 40-degrees here, that is a big change…. My body handled the waether today. It’s a big Tropical environment, wonderful trees, amazing bridge and waterfalls.” – Mathieu Blanchard

Mathieu Blanchard ©iancorlessKatie and Marianne finished together, Katie looked happy to be done, she had also struggled with some illness and fought hard throughout the day.

Katie and Marianne ©iancorlessTomomi came in securing 3rd place, all smiles. Last year, Tomomi caught Covid one day before the race and had to miss four stages, this year, she is so happy to be back.

Tomomi Bitoh ©iancorlessFaces told the story at the finish, the heat and the humidity had taken its toll, it always does on stage 1, it’s such a shock to the system without pre-acclimation, something that Marianne and Mathieu had done.

“I heard the sound of animals in the jungle, I turned to Peter and said this is incredible, ‘This is much more atmosphere than UTMB!” – Dani Jung

Stage Results

Mathieu Blanchard 3:36:08
Didrik Hermansen +1m 27s
Dani Jung +1 28s
Marianne Hogan 4:13:01
Katie Schiede 4:13:01
Tomomi Bitoh 4:42:50

#tcc2023

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Runner’s have arrived in San Jose, Costa Rica ahead of the 2023 edition which starts on Sunday February 5th.

Admin day, pre-race protocols and race briefing will soon be completed and then an early morning journey to Quepos and the start line of stage 1 awaits.

For 2023, the runner’s in both Expedition and Adventure categories will experience some new route changes and distances. Notably, the expedition category, on paper, appears to be a tougher race.

Stage 1 is always brutal as for many, the heat and humidity really takes a hold and exhausts the un-prepared body. In the past, this stage has hovered around the 30km mark, for 2023 it will be 41km with 1071m+ for the Expedition category.

Stage 2 40km and 1828m+
Stage 3 49km and 1884m+
Stage 4 35.5km and 2434m+
Stage 5 40.6km and 1670m+
and the final stage 6 35.7km and 875m+

This makes a total 0f 241.8km and 9762m+.

For the shorter Adventure race, unlike in past editions, stage 1 will be shorter than the expedition at 32km.

Stage 2 17km
Stage 3 16.5km
Stage 4 12.5km
Stage 5 22.3km
Stage 6 35.7km

The Adventure race totals 136km with 4032m+.

With an International line-up, all eyes will be on the front of the race with a stellar male and female line-up.

For the men:

Mathieu Blanchard, Didrik Hermansen, Sebastian Krogvig, Dani Jung and Peter van der Zon will go head-to-head for the TCC crown. Sadly, local ever-present and multi podium finisher of the TCC, Erick Aguero will not start due to injuries sustained in a fall.

For the women:

UTMB one and two, Katie Schide and Marianne Hogan will once again do battle along with Tomomi Bitoh from Japan.

Departing from San Jose around 0330am, the journey to the coast will be undertaken in darkness. The hope is that runner’s can start the stage as early as possible, therefore taking advantage of cooler temperatures before the heat of the day arrives.

The TCC is the ultimate Costa Rican multi-day adventure. The route hugs the coastline of the tropical Pacific, weaving in and out of the Talamancas; a coastal mountain range in the Southwest corner of this Central American country. The terrain is ever-changing and challenges each participant, from wide, dusty and runnable fire trails to dense and muddy mountain trails. Add river crossings, boulder hopping, swimming through rivers, passing under waterfalls, and long and relentless beaches, TCC is a unique experience. Finally, the finish will come in the incredible Corcovado National Park, a Unesco World Heritage site with a stunning final loop around Drake Bay. After an evening relaxing, the runner’s will depart for their journeys back to San Jose via speedboat to Sierpe and then a follow on coach trip.

“TCC has always grabbed my attention, February is early in the year, so, there are not many races. For me, it will be a challenge, I’m usually home skiing in Norwegian winter and in 2023 I will be in an exotic race in the Jungle – it’s exciting! The landscapes and nature looks spectacular! The trails look challenging and fun, a perfect mix of racing and adventure.” – Sebastian Krogvig

#tcc2023

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©iancorlessMULTI-DAY TRAINING CAMPJANUARY 2024 11th to 18th (Thursday to Thursday)Located at the iconic Club La Santa resort, our training camp will provide you with all the knowledge, experience and practical training you need to make your next trail, ultra and multi-day adventure a success.

Hosted by IAN CORLESS, the training camp is the perfect place to hone your skills for multi-day, fast packing and running in general.

With

2024 LINE UP

ANNA COMET PASCUA, PIERRE MESLET,LAUREN GREGORY and INGE NIJKAMP.GUESTS – KEVIN WEBBER and STEVE DIEDERICH.Anna Comet Pascua won the 2022 Marathon des Sables in a dominant performance. An experienced sky, mountain and ultra-runner, Anna is also a multi-day specialist with victories at The Coastal Challenge in Costa Rica and the Everest Trail Race in Nepal. A runner for the Scarpa Team, it’s a pleasure to have Anna join us in Lanzarote.

Lauren Gregory ran the 2021 (toughest) Marathon des Sables and was first British woman and 8th in the women category. A personal trainer, Lauren will guide a run group, host yoga sessions will provide a talk.

Pierre Meslet joined the Lanzarote Multi-Day Training Camp in 2022 after placing 9th at the 2020 Marathon des Sables. His attendance was a success, not only from the perspective of leading a run group but also his profession as a physio – He was able to provide ‘on-site’ treatment for our training camp. Pierre is back in 2023!

Inge Nijkamp has been top-10 at Marathon des Sables and The Coastal Challenge. A qualified nutritionist, she will guide a group, provide a nutrition talk specific to multi-day running and be on-hand for one-to-one nutritional consultations.

Kevin Webber after a successful 2023 camp has requested that he come back in 2024 for more… In his words, “I just loved this, great location, great people, great running, what’s not to like?” He will once again guide a group, provide an inspiration and moving talk about running with a terminal cancer diagnosis. He has many stories to tell.

Steve Diederich is the UK agent for Marathon des Sables, The Coastal Challenge and Everest Trail Race, he will be on-hand to provide advice about all three races and answer any questions. Currently studying Sports Psychology and come Lanza 24 he will be qualified and on-hand to discuss the mental side of sport and running.

“I wanted to say a big thank you for this week – I’ve left so energised and inspired after the week… I thought the camaraderie from other runners was incredible. If felt as if everyone had left their ego at home which really made for such open and honest sessions. I hope you have the opportunity to reflect on how impactful and enjoyable the camp was. The fact that the organisation was seamless doesn’t just happen and I know the layers of detail and spreadsheets that go into an event like this. I’ll be back I’m sure and when I do get to the start line of MDS I will be much more likely to succeed based on all the advice.” – EB

BOOKING FORM HERE

The purpose of any training camp is to provide you with specific information and training designed specifically to help you with your future objectives. Although you may run (train) more in this condensed week, it’s not designed to break you! Therefore, all training sessions are flexible and you can dip-in and dip-out as required. Most importantly, just as in any race, we will have a very mixed ability base. You will therefore train at your appropriate pace with like minded people.

Each day will be broken down into one or two specific training sessions, one workshop and leisure time.

Lanzarote offers a variety of terrain that can be found in many desert races and therefore it’s the ideal training ground to prepare and acclimatise for an up and coming challenge. Club La Santa as a resort offers a great base and all facilities are included. This is great for relaxation, an opportunity to cross train or more importantly it’s perfect for friends and family to join you as a plethora of opportunities are available.

READ MORE HERE

£1095 pp shared occupancy / Solo Occupancy apartment £1695**A £300 deposit secures a place for shared occupancy, £600 for solo-occupancy. Deposits are non-refundable in any circumstance and cannot be carried forward to a following year.

This includes a self-catering apartment on a share basis. Inclusion in the above schedule and access to all facilities within the Club La Santa complex.

A non-training partner is welcome to join a training partner for a cost of £975 pp* and they are able to use all the facilities at Club La Santa.

BOOK HERE

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Corina and Aziza ©iancorlessThe 2023 Oman Desert Marathon today concluded with a 22km test concluding at the Jawaharat Bidiah Resort.

Mohamed on his way to victory ©iancorlessA flat day that had varied terrain, hard plateau, dunes, rocks and a backdrop of dunes, mountains and trees. It was a beautiful route.

©iancorlessThe men’s race was really over before the day begun with Mohamed El Morabity holding a large lead over his brother Rachid.

©iancorlessIn the early km’s Rachid was so relaxed he was almost at the back of the race, he did eventually start to chase but it was a casual affair.

From experience, I would say he was using the day as a test, allow his brother to take a lead and then in the latter km’s speed up and see how much he could close the gap.

Rachid with the after-burners turned on ©iancorlessAnd boy did Rachid speed up… With 10km’s to go, he turned the after-burners on and started to pick of runner’s ahead. He got 5th, 4th, 3rd and then the 2nd, Saleh Alsaidi.

©iancorlessWith Saleh by his side, Rachid eased up allowing Saleh to finish 2nd and himself 3rd. Mohamed took a well-earned stage and overall victory.

©iancorlessThe duo started together, both no doubt marking each other, however, this strategy would only play in to Aziza’s hands. With almost 5km covered, they were still together. A truce had been called?

©iancorlessNo, before CP1, Corina went and started to sped up. Watching on, I was convinced that she had moved too late, it would require over 1-minute faster than Aziza over the final 10km!

©iancorlessCorina ran to the line, arms aloft, victory for the stage and then the stopwatches were started. With 5-minutes to go, Aziza was not in sight and the possibility of closing the final km in less time was not possible, however, we had to wait to be sure.

©iancorlessAziza crossed almost 15-minutes later, Corina was the 2023 champion, what a run! No doubt Aziza has a story to tell and maybe she payed the price for two stunning fast days on stages 1 and 2.

Of course, every runner has a story. It has been a tough 4-days and 165km here in Oman, tears have been shed. But a medal and fellow travellers to enjoy the journey make it all worthwhile.

©iancorlessNow time for rest and recovery. A gala dinner at the Jawaharat Bidiah Resort and tomorrow, onward travel to Muscat and home destinations.

©iancorlessOman has offered a great experience and excellent hospitality. What better way to explore and see a place than by running? It’s a full and immersive experience and now, race director Said and his team, will look ahead to planning 2024.

Mohamed El Morabity 1:44:15
Saleh Alsaidi 1:46:52
Rachid El Morabity 1:47:01

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION

Mohamed El Morabity 14:13:15
Rachid El Morabity 14:41:23
Saleh Alsaidi 15:31:30
Corina Summer 19:39:28
Aziza El Amrany 19:46:10
Aziza Raji 20:28:07

#omandesertmarathon

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Mohamed El Morabity ©iancorlessStage 3 of the Oman Desert Marathon followed a long stage 2 of 55-km. For perspective, Mohamed won the stage in 5-hours 11-minutes, while the last runner came in close to the midnight cut-off. When you consider the 06:30am start, that is a long day on the feet.

Corina Sommer recovering before stage 3©iancorlessMorning of stage 3 was rest in camp and the scheduled 3 start times would commence at midday, followed by 2pm and the final wave of top-12 runner’s departing at 4pm. Ahead 42km with all runner’s spending time in some darkness before arriving at the finish.

With a flat section to start the day, a small and beautiful dune section, and then a relatively flat run in to the line, on paper, stage 3 was by ODM standards an easy one.

©iancorlessIf Rachid had agreed with his brother that victory was Mohamed’s to take, Rachid did not run the last stage without a fight. Actually, the contrary, he seemed to be pushing hard and looking for the advantage.

Mohamed followed at all times looked relax.

©iancorlessThe duo exchanged the lead at multiple times and it was during darkness that Mohamed took the lead and finished strongly ahead of his brother 3:23 to 3:40 elapsed respectively, the 2023 Oman Desert Marathon is now almost certainly his!

Behind Saleh Alsaidi once again ran a very strong stage, he never came close to the Moroccan’s but his podium place is secure.

Corina and Aziza head-to-head ©iancorlessIf Aziza El Amrany thought stage 3 would be an easy one, she would need to think again… Corina Sommer had the bit between her teeth and the duo pushed a hard pace. Just before CP1 Aziza got a gap, was the writing on the wall?

©iancorlessNo! Corina fought back, caught and passed her and then opened up her own lead. As darkness came, the lead extended and it was a nail-biter to the line, Corina crossing in 4:21:09.

The clock ticked, Aziza was losing her huge lead, eventually she came and crossed in 4:36:06. Now Corina is just 10-minutes behind with one stage to go… Is it possible to get back that time in ‘just’ 22km?

Aziza Raji was off-the-pace today and finished 3rd.

#omandesertmarathon

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Mohamed El Morabity ©iancorlessStage 2 of the 2023 Oman Desert Marathon was a 55-km soft-sand and dune festival in intense heat.

With an 06:30 start, the early hours had a chill as the participants ran a relatively flat first 25km to the second aid station.

The brothers El Morabity ©iancorlessFrom here, the big dunes waited and what a magnificent sight they are. Stretching far and wide, they a relentless rollercoaster of torture for the participants.

©iancorlessFrom here, the big dunes waited and what a magnificent sight they are. Stretching far and wide, they a relentless rollercoaster of torture for the participants.

Big dunes ©iancorlessCrossing the first set of dunes could take less than 15-minutes for the top-runners, but for many, it was over an hour of exhaustion.

©iancorlessOn the other side, a relatively flat and straight run, before another climb, a short section of dunes at CP3 at 35km.

©iancorlessNow the march to the line through relentless soft-sand and only CP4 at 45km offering some rest before the line.

Albert Jorquera ©iancorlessRachid and Mohamed, not surprisingly, dictated the pace from the start, often running side-by-side and chatting. They are true masters of this terrain and they make it look ridiculously easy.

©iancorlessAziza El Amrany once again set the pace for the women and like the El Morabity brothers, she looks at east and at home on this terrain.

Aziza El Amrany ©iancorlessAs almost a repeat from stage 1, the Omani men chased hard and eventually the Alsaidi brothers would head the chase to the Moroccan duo.

©iancorlessIn many resects, the writing was on the wall and it was once again Mohamed who beat Rachid to the line, this time, just by seconds. For the Alsadai brothers, Saleh finished 3rd and secured his 3rd overall on GC.

Aziza was too strong for the chasing duo and took another victory. This time, Corina broke away from Raji and managed to claw back over 4-minutes for the GC.

Mohamed El Morabity 5:11:57
Rachid El Morabity 5:12:26
Saleh Alsaidi 5:43:42

#omandesertmarathon

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Mohamed El Morabity ©iancorlessThe 4-stage, 165-km, 2023 Oman Desert Marathon started today with a challenging 47-km stage.

After a 3-year hiatus due to the Covid Pandemic, it was once again a pleasure to see runner’s travelling through the Oman Desert in self-sufficiency. The only items provided to participants is water and a place to sleep at the end of each day.

©iancorlessThe atmosphere at the start was one of celebration with local vip’s present and many locals who would participate in the ‘free’ 10km, 5km and a 2km kids race.

©iancorlessThe ODM Classic had the same start but quickly branched left and headed in the direction of the Oasis of Alwasil.

As expected, Rachid El Morabity dictated the pace for the men and Aziza El Amrany for the women.

Rachid El Morabity ©iancorlessThe first day in a stage race is always a cautious one, nobody wants to go too hard and the race was close for much of the day.

Rachid was followed by his brother Mohamed and a strong contingent of Omani runner’s, in particular Saleh Alsaidi and his brother, Sami.

Sami Alsaidi ©iancorlessAziza was followed by Corina and surprisingly, Aziza Raji, the pre-race favourite was further back.

Aziza El Amrany ©iancorlessRachid and Mohamed played cat an mouse but in the last significant dune section, with just over 10-km’s to go, Mohamed opened a gap which he held to the line crossing in 3:53:31. Rachid surprisingly came in over 7-minutes later. The earlier hard pace set by Sami Alsaidi took it’s toll and it was Saleh who finished 3rd.

Aziza El Amrany ©iancorlessAziza El Amrany looked very strong for the first two-thirds of the day but later looked to be suffering in the heat. She never lost her lead though and finished in 5:31:29. Despite Corina looking strong all day, Aziza Raji played the waiting game and pounced in the latter third of the day taking 2nd place in 5:37:53 to 5:45:57 for the Swiss.

#omandesertmarathon

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©iancorlessCaldera Trasera is a wonderful loop from our base location, Club La Santa. It provides a short and hilly technical route that more ‘more’ exposure than many are used to. The Lanzarote Multi-Day Training Camp is all about pushing boundaries and learning.

©iancorlessHands-on action provided some mega smiles, especially when the summit was reached. The level of comradeship was superb, everyone supporting each other to achieve their goal.

©iancorless©iancorless©iancorlessWhen the morning session concluded, a 3-hour break provided a time to recovery before the long afternoon run, with ‘MDS’ pack scenario.

With 20km in the legs, an overnight bivouac of self-sufficiency. The only provisions for the runner’s was rationed water and the carrying of a tent.

©iancorlessIn comparison to 2022, the 2023 was relatively calm. Of course, wind existed, it is Lanzarote after all… However, it was a calm night.

Interested in joining us? 2024 is open for booking HERE

multidaytrainingcamp

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©iancorlessDay 3 of the Lanzarote Multi-Day Training Camp and a long run that included soft sand practice. It was a perfect day… Clear skies, hot temperatures and an opportunity to understand how to run up , down and across soft sand.

©iancorlessIt’s a pleasure to have the opportunity to be in this environment and putting to test the skills required come Marathon des Sables or similar race.

©iancorlessThe on-hand and advice from the guides invaluable. It doesn’t matter about ability, everyone on the camp is a sponge trying to soak up the advice.

©iancorlessAfter a break, the afternoon session on ‘Fast and Light’ provided an insight on Fastpacking by Ian Corless and Abelone Lyng. While an emphasis was placed on Marathon des Sables, other races and environments were considered, such as rainforest, mountain and snow/ ice.

MDS KitOnce again a short recovery run concluded the day.

Tomorrow, participants will spend a night under the stars, in bivouac, fine-tuning their self-sufficient skills in a real environemnt, with rationed water and just a tent provided.

Interested in joining us? 2024 is open for booking HERE

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Tom Evans adidas Terrex ©iancorlessDay 2 of the Lanzarote Multi-Day Training Camp kicked off with a nice easy run/ warm up to the infamous volcano hill-rep location.

©iancorlessAt just 70 (ish) meters of vertical, the route may well not seem to hard, however, when you repeat it enough times, it becomes very tough. The target was 10-reps, of course it varies what each individual can achieve…

©iancorlessThe decent is a single-track trail of loose stone and gravel and the ‘recovery’ phase is a flat gravel road back to the start. It’s always a great session.

©iancorlessIn the afternoon, a ‘How To Use Poles Session’ gave an introduction to the technique required to effectively use poles for a trail or mountain race.

This was followed with adidas Terrex athlete, Tom Evans, holding a talk on Process over Outcome and then a Q&A.

©iancorlessThe day concluded with a short recovery session of 30-minutes as the sun set over the lagoon and sea that surrounds Club La Santa. It was a perfect day and stunning weather. Tomorrow, soft-sand.

Interested in joining us? 2024 is open for booking HERE

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©iancorlessIt was day-1 of the 2023 Lanzarote Multi-Day Training Camp and what a perfect day! The rain from ‘arrival’ day disappeared leaving a perfect sunny and windy day.

©iancorlessThe morning was a 24km ‘Coastal Run’ that had over 50-participants moving along some wonderful, technical single-track on the outward route and easier gravel trails for the run home.

©iancorlessSpilt in to three main groups, Tom Evans and Pierre Meslet guided the faster runners, Ian Corless and Abelone Lyng the middle group and Inge Nijkamp, Kevin Webber and Steve Diederich guided the run/ walker and walkers.

©iancorlessThe trails here a stunning and the backdrop superb. Technical trails are compensated with easier non-technical trails but the group bonding, chats and views help the km’s fly past…

©iancorlessAfter a lunch break, the afternoon was taken up with two talks: the inspirational Kevin Webber told his story of his Prostrate Cancer diagnosis and Steve Diederich (UK agent for MDS) gave an informative talk around MDS logistics.

A 5km recovery run conclude the activities of the day and then relaxation was the order of the day, with some good food, as plans were made ready for day-2.

Interested in joining us? 2024 is open for booking HERE

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Rachid El MorabityIt’s countdown time to the 2023 Oman Desert Marathon.

Now in its 8th edition, the Oman Desert Marathon will take place January 21st to 24th. A self-sufficient race, the race takes place over 4-stages with a total distance of 165-kms.

January offers excellent conditions for a desert adventure, with highs anticipated and 25-degrees and lows of 17-degrees.

A unique race, the route provides participants the opportunity to explore and discover untouched sands and the highest dunes of Oman while running 47, 55, 42 and 21km.

“The OMD, changed my perspective on ultra-marathon running for the better. The desert is magical and beautiful, but will test you mentally and physically to your limit, but you will be a better person from it. The OMD event should be on every runner’s calendar.” – Adam May.

Arrival in Oman will be on January 20th with transfers to Al Jawharat Resort in Bidiyah. The afternoon will taken up with admin protocols and a race dinner.

Stage 1 – 47km
Satge 2 – 55km
Stage 3 – 42km
Stage 4 – 21km

Daily start times fluctuate and interestingly, Stage 3 has three starts, 1200, 1400 and 1600.

Stage 4 has an 0800 start with the race concluded by 1300 at the Al Jawharat Resort in Bidiyah resort. In the evening, an award ceremony and prize giving will take place.

The Runner’s

While Omani runner’s will make up the majority of the field, there are participants from Spain, France, Ukraine, Italy, Germany, Poland, Britain, Belgium, Switzerland and not surprisingly, Morocco will have the main contenders for overall victory.

King of the desert, Rachid El Morabity, 9x winner of the Marathon des Sables will once again lead the field and he is without doubt, the hot favourite for overall victory.

Mohammed El MorabityRachid’s brother, Mohammed, will be his main contender and should Rachid have a bad day, his brother will be able to pounce.

Aziz RajiFor the women, desert specialist, Aziz Raji, also a winner of Marathon des Sables, will be the main protagonist not only for the female victory, but quite possibly, a highly-ranked overall placing.

How to follow:

Daily reports and images will be issued on this website (connection allowing) each evening and a full and detailed race summary will follow after January 24th. On IG, @iancorlessphotography and @marathonoman

We look forward to welcoming you to the Oman Desert Marathon experience.

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Gonzalo Calisto at the 2016 TCC. It was later we found out he had tested positive for EPO at the 2015 UTMB.Trail, mountain, and ultra-running is booming and it’s clear to see. Circuits have increased, prize money has increased, ‘pro’ runner numbers have increased, and it must be accepted, with the potential rewards both financially and egotistically, there will be some tempted to dope.

Mark Kangogo at Sierre-Zinal an example. And now, Esther Chesang!

Trail running, unlike athletics, be that on the road or track, is unpredictable; tough and varied, with ups and downs, rocks, scree, and technicality, it draws comparisons to mountaineering, not road running. It’s the experience, the doing, the completing that brings the rewards. Take a marathon, on the road you may be able to complete in say 3-hours… On trail, the same distance could take, 4,5, 6-hours or even longer for the same runner. Road running rules don’t apply, a trail runner’s needs are different, except maybe for the sense of fair play, truth, and integrity.

Well, times are a changing

Look at cycling, athletics, and other financially lucrative sports. Doping has been a problem. Trail has been relatively void of positive cases. Note, I say positive cases, not void of doping. It’s fair to assume that doping has happened, but it’s impossible to confirm at what levels. The 2015 case of Gonzalo Calisto testing positive for EPO at UTMB was the writing on the wall. I wrote at length about the case and issues. Read HERE.

It was a call to awareness with the #cleansport tag being used on social media and many prominent trail runners backed up the call. It all got a little muddy with the blanket of the Quartz Program which effectively was/is as useful as a chocolate teapot.

Now, the iconic Sierre-Zinal has had to suffer and endure two positive tests for the respective male and female winners. Ridiculously, the female positive was announced January 2023! She was confirmed positive in May 2022 after a road marathon! Oh, my word, we have a long way to go.

Is now the time to act, before the sport we love heads in a southern direction? If left alone, we may not be able to turn the tide.

But how prevalent is doping in trail, mountain and ultra?

A research paper published August 2017 (HERE) stated that : ‘estimated prevalence of past-year doping was 43.6%’ (from one event) –from a survey of 2167 athletes at two sporting events in 2011, WAC and PAG. That’s an horrendous statistic. The conclusion, ‘doping appears remarkably widespread among elite athletes, and remains largely unchecked despite current biological testing.’ Now this wasn’t trail running, but, one has to maybe assume, the situation is worse than maybe we think… Especially considering this study was 2011.

Skyrunning in many ways paved the way with testing, admittedly not at all events due to cost. But at key events, World Championships for example, WADA tests were conducted. Here is a quote from 2014:

“In compliance with the WADA protocol, 11 anti-doping tests were carried out across the three disciplines, which included two for EPO (Erythropoietin). The tests were based in part on arrival order and in part random which included several members of the podium in each discipline. All results were negative.”**

The ISF list anti-doping guidelines HERE and it’s well worth a read to see the process. “The ultimate goal is for all athletes to benefit from the same anti-doping procedures and protections, no matter the sport, the nationality, or the country where tested, so that all athletes may participate in competition that is both safe and fair.”

UTMB incorporated testing in 2015 and look what happened, Gonzalo Calisto was caught.

Trail runners are effectively hippies. We are on the outside, a weird and wild bunch of adventure and adrenaline seekers who do not want to be confined by rules. This rings true for well over 90% of us, but for those at the top, the pinnacle, who are now becoming professional, this is a business. In any business, corruption can take a hold and doping steals rewards, glory, and recognition.

ITRA, IAAF, WMRA, USATF, Skyrunning and the list goes on. Is it time for trail, ultra and mountain running to be incorporated within one Global Federation where rules and regulations could be imposed? Until now, the answer has been no, the excuse being trail running would lose its freedom and spirit. Many are opposed that a ruling body should not only dictate rules but also profit from ‘our’ sport. Look at the current divisive arguments on the growth of the ‘by UTMB’ and Ironman merger, they only reflect and affirm these thoughts for some.

Do we want in-competition and out-of-competition rules that includes comprehensive random drug testing?

Pro-runner or not, at the end of the day, I think it’s fair to say that you (we) got into the sport not for rewards, glory, and money but through heart. First and foremost, we had a need for nature, adventure, freedom, and open spaces, this was the motivator, not a podium and a cheque.

Of course, rules do already exist, ‘no doping’ is a rule for all sports, mandatory kit (for some races) is a requirement, and the list goes on. But the list in many cases is left to the RD, race organization and more importantly, budget. There is no one set of rules that should be adhered to worldwide and this can be part of the problem, which is why the IOC had the Lausanne Agreement.

Is it time for this to happen?

The fear of cheating, being ‘found out’ and the ongoing disgrace, public humiliation and shame may well have served as a deterrent in trail, until now.

The IAAF finally stepped in to suppress the ever-growing problems of doping with a set of rules to help control a rising problem. The IOC then took this one step further at the Olympics with one set of codes, rules and regulations that blended all anti-doping restrictions in one with the Lausanne Declaration. This was a pivotal moment and within one year, WADA (World Anti-Doping Association) was created.

WADA oversees testing of several hundred thousand athletic blood and urine samples annually: ‘…of which 1–2% test positive. Measures using the Athlete Biological Passport suggest a higher mean prevalence of about 14% positive tests. Biological testing, however, likely fails to detect many cutting-edge doping techniques, and thus the true prevalence of doping remains unknown.’ – August 2017

It was like the Lord of the Rings – One ring (rule) to rule them all.

Simple huh, WADA produce a list of banned substances. You, as an athlete, look at the banned list and DO NOT use anything that is listed.

Argh, but there is always a loophole. The wonderful TUE – Therapeutic Use Exemption. Amazing how many asthmatic runners are out there. Yes, WADA had to accept that some athletes have a legitimate medical condition that allows the use of a TUE.

The TUE has been used to gain an advantage, no question.

And what about NSAID’s? Read a report HERE

Should we just relax? After all, if the winner of Sierre-Zinal takes drugs, it doesn’t really impact on me or you, the slow guy or gal who is out running for fun and adventure, does it?

Well yes, it impacts on the core and the ethos of the sport, the sense of fair play.

So here we are, 8-years on from Gonzalo Calisto at UTMB, a pivotal moment, and now we are once again fuelled by discussion of the two positive cases at Sierre-Zinal. Of course, there have been other positive cases in this interim period.

But the doping fire has been re-ignited.

Update, just hours after this post, Kilian Jornet posted THIS on IG.

There is much talk, opinion, and discussion, for me, it’s time to seize the momentum and move in to 2023 with some new impetus.

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©iancorlessThe Coastal Challenge, Costa Rica, is excited to announce that Mathieu Blanchard will join the line-up for the 2023 edition.

UTMB 2022 ©iancorlessMathieu shot to fame after the 2022 UTMB when he traded blows with Kilian Jornet, finally placing 2nd. However, Mathieu is not the new kid on the block… His results go back to 2016 with podium placings in his home of Canada at Quebec Mega Trail and Ultra Trail Harricana de Charlevoix.

The rise in the sport has been steady and planned, in 2018 for example, Mathieu placed 13th at UTMB, in 2019 10th at CCC, and in 2021 he showed the promise of victory with 3rd at UTMB.

Mathieu leading 9x MDS champion, Rachid el MorabityWhile he may be considered a single-day specialist, Mathieu dipped his toes in stage racing with participation in the 2021 Marathon des Sables – an edition that has now become infamous due to the heat and sickness bug that swept through the race. Mathieu was primed to stir the race up on the long day, sadly, the sickness hit him and he went in to survival mode. He still managed 5th overall.

Now The Coastal Challenge awaits; heat, humidity and the prospect of running along the coast and in and out of the mountains for a week.

The view from camp 3TCC is the ultimate Costa Rican multi-day adventure. Hugging the coastline of the tropical Pacific, the route weaves in and out of the Talamancas; a coastal mountain range in the Southwest corner of this Central American country. Ever-changing terrain challenges each participant, from wide, dusty and runnable fire trails to dense and muddy mountain trails. River crossings, boulders, swimming through rivers, passing under waterfalls, surviving long and relentless beaches. Finally, the finish in the incredible Corcovado National Park, a Unesco World Heritage site, with a stunning final loop around Drake Bay before departing for their journeys home via speedboat.

THE RACE

Stage 1 34.6km 1018m of vert and 886m of descent
Stage 2 39.1km 1898m of vert and 1984m of descent
Stage 3 47.4km 1781m of vert and 1736m of descent
Stage 4 37.1km 2466m of vert and 2424m of descent
Stage 5 49.8km 1767m of vert and 1770m of descent
Stage 6 22.5km 613m of vert and 613m of descent

Total 230.5km

Vertical 9543m

Descent 9413m

#tcc2023

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©iancorlessNew for 2023, Norway’s first multi-day trail running event, the LOFOTEN STAGE RUN brought to you by the team behind The Arctic Triple taking place Week 22 2023 (w/c 29th May).

Download the info PDF HERE

Image sheets HERE

Located in the stunning and world-renowned Archipelago of Lofoten, The Arctic Triple team will offer two stunning races, the 175km Expedition Race and the 120km Adventure Race, both starting in the iconic, beautiful, and picturesque Reine and concluding in Svolvær.

©iancorlessTravel point-to-point, on foot, experiencing the majesty of Norway. Stunning trails, majestic mountains, resplendent views, and all during the endless daytime of the midnight sun. A fully supported journey over 4-days (6-days in total) and remembered for a lifetime.

The Lofoten Stage Run will bring the best of what Norway has to offer – fjords, fishing villages, beaches, mountains, ridges and of course the world-renowned Hytte experience.

“Lofoten Stage Run came about after the 2021 Arctic Triple and the realisation that only the 100-mile runners were getting a full 360 Lofoten experience,” says Kristian Nashoug. “Not everyone wants or can run 100-miles in one go, especially here in Lofoten. So, we have created the Lofoten Stage Run which effectively breaks down our 100-mile race in 4-stages and therefore offers a more manageable way to experience all that Lofoten has to offer.” – Kristian Nashoug

The Lofoten Stage Run, either the 175km or 120km versions offer a full day to cover the respective stages and the opportunity to really experience all that this area has to offer. In the evening, runners will meet local hosts, experience local food, have comfortable lodging, and create new bonds and friendships with like-minded people. Lofoten is one of the most ‘desired’ places to visit in the world, what better way to experience it?

This is no ordinary multi-day race!Stages will consist of 4-days, 39km, 60k, 31km and 45km for the 175km Expedition race and 39km, 29km, 31km and 21km for the 120km Adventure race, it’s The Arctic Triple’s aim to make this experience available to all.

Day 2 at Unstad Arctic Surf.

And finally, all races conclude in Svolavær.

Experience Lofoten.

Experience the Arctic Circle.

Experience the midnight sun.

Experience the majesty and beauty of Norway under your own power.

PRICE 26,990. NOK (2550 EURO +/-)Use the contact form below, the first 10 people get a 10% discount.

Submit a form.THIS IS THE LOFOTEN STAGE RUN.

For more information and full detailed itinerary, schedule, and costs.

Please go HERE

Week 22 2023.

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The Everest Trail Race #ETR really is one of the 'must-do' races not only for the challenge but for the immersive beauty and experience that Nepal brings. Continue reading →

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Countdown to the 2023 ‘The Coastal Challenge’ begins and today, we announce the elite up that will travel to Costa Rica to experience six days, 230.5km of racing and 9543m of vertical gain. The ultimate Costa Rican multi-day adventure hugs the coastline of the tropical Pacific, weaving in and out of the Talamancas; a coastal mountain range in the Southwest corner of this Central American country. An ever-changing terrain challenges each participant, from wide, dusty and runnable fire trails to dense and muddy mountain trails. River crossings, boulders, swim through rivers, pass under waterfalls, survive long and relentless beaches and finally finish in the incredible Corcovado National Park, a Unesco World Heritage site with a stunning final loop around Drake Bay before departing for their journeys home via speedboat. Continue reading →

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Episode 232 of Talk Ultra is a Petter Engdahl Special. After making the podium of OCC in 2021, Petter focussed his attention on the 2022 CCC - He won in a course record time. And now he has followed up with a dream victory at Transvulcania by UTMB. We talk in-depth about his training and preparation for these two incredible performances. Continue reading →

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Episode 231 of Talk Ultra has a chat with Tom Evans after his 3rd place at UTMB. Shane Ohly tells us about 'Classic Rock' and Speedgoat co-hosts and tells us about his UTMB. Continue reading →

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Before you start a multi-day, be that a race or a personal challenge, one thing is for sure, NOW is the time to set a goal and focus, fine-tune everything, including training, so that you can be at the start in the best shape possible. Continue reading →

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Exposed ridges, technical terrain, high altitude, and stunning views, the Pirin Extreme needs to be experienced. Bulgaria may well not be on your radar as a location for a stunning skyrunning race, but trust me, it should be. The hub … Continue reading →

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The Hoka Tecton X for me, is the first trail shoe with carbon inserts that I have really enjoyed running in. The shoe offers protection, comfort, stability and great propulsion/ speed in a very good-looking shoe. Continue reading →

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These are three excellent sleeping bags offering the best option in their class. Quite simply, you cannot go wrong with any of them. They have all been used and tested in similar environments, conditions and temperatures whilst camping. However, when looking at weight, pack size, warmth and price, we have a clear winner. Continue reading →

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The process and the journey are what provides the memories for me, and while I fully appreciate racing a clock and others has its place, weekends like Icebug Xperience bring a whole new level of full absorption, not only for the runner but for the family. Nobody is left out here, everyone is looked after, everyone has their own experience and then it all comes together towards the end of the day to share the experience over dinner and whilst hanging out in your chosen accommodation. Continue reading →

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Once again, it was a real pleasure to be immersed with the adidas TERREX brand and follow closely the whole process that makes a race and team come together. We use the word family and without a doubt, the TERREX team is family. We are all #unitedbysummits Continue reading →

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Welcome to ‘The Chamonix Tapes’ an inside look at the adidas Terrex Team during the 2022 UTMB. Continue reading →

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Welcome to ‘The Chamonix Tapes’ an inside look at the adidas Terrex Team during the 2022 UTMB. Continue reading →

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Welcome to ‘The Chamonix Tapes’ an inside look at the adidas Terrex Team during the 2022 UTMB. Continue reading →

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Welcome to ‘The Chamonix Tapes’ an inside look at the adidas Terrex Team during the 2022 UTMB. Continue reading →

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Welcome to ‘The Chamonix Tapes’ an inside look at the adidas Terrex Team during the 2022 UTMB. Continue reading →

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One thing is for sure, running 25km, 48km or 100km in this area of Norway is not easy, ask anyone who toed the line of the respective distances. There is something truly magical here, 2021 opened up this area of Norway to the world, 2022 has elevated Stranda as a ‘must go’ location. I can only encourage and emphasise that you ‘need’ to add Stranda Fjord Trail Race to your bucket list. You will not be disappointed with the experience, BUT come prepared, you are going to earn that finish medal. Continue reading →

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Episode 225 of Talk Ultra has an in-depth interview with Michael Wardian after his epic run across America. We also speak with Ultra Trail Snowdia by UTMB race director, Michael Jones. Speedgoat co-hosts. Continue reading →

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As experiences go, I would recommend an AuroraHut experience and I am most definitely tempted to re-experience this in winter, surrounded by snow with dark long days and the sky illuminated with the Aurora Borealis. Continue reading →

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Episode 224 of Talk Ultra brings you an in-depth chat with Shane Ohly from Ourea Events and Speedgoat Karl co-hosts. Continue reading →

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Fitlock and a VJ outsole and you have a perfect shoe when precision and grip are required. The XTRM2 with a new upper, a new last, more cushioning and lugs increased to 6mm, and you now have the perfect trail/mountain and skyrunning shoe for short to middle distance. There are few shoes out there that can compete with VJ when this combination of elements is required. It is highly recommended. Continue reading →

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This first ever workshop will immerse participants in a unique full-on skyrunning experience in an iconic location, Cervinia, just below the stunning Matterhorn (4478m). Hosted by Mr skyrunning, Marino Giacometti, the workshop will have Franco Collé and William Boffelli, two … Continue reading →

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Episode 223 of Talk Ultra is a 36th MDS special co-hosted by Steve Diederich (MDS UK) and guest interviews with, James Hazeldene, Liz Anderson, Patrick Kennedy, Richard Bysouth and Tamsin Dobson. Continue reading →

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Episode 222 brings you and in-depth chat with adidas Terrex athlete Tom Evans about his comeback to racing and victory after surgery and rehabilitation. We also talk to to Ryan Sandes and Ryno Griesel about an epic journey around Lesotho. Continue reading →

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Ask any experienced mountain or skyrunner, what is the ‘best’ race and route, more often than not, the answer will be ‘Kima!’ Trofeo Kima in Italy has long been the dream of many a runner who loves a challenge at … Continue reading →

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The 2022 Marathon des Sables was memorable. Then again, it always is! There is something very unique about the Sahara, the sand, the desert, the dunes and the movement of some 1400-people on a journey. 2022 was my 9th year on the race and while B&W images appear in my galleries, for this 36th edition I wanted to produce a specific B&W gallery and portfolio. Continue reading →

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The 2022 and 36th edition of the Marathon des Sables concluded in the iconic Merzouga dunes (Erg Chebbi) on April 1st. Coming just 5-months after the 2021 race, re-scheduled from April 2021 to October due to the ongoing complications with the Coronavirus pandemic, the two races could not have been more different. Continue reading →

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Rachid El Morabity and Anna Comet Pascua are crowned champions of the 36th 2022 Marathon des Sables. Continue reading →

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Anna Comet Pascua secures her lead in the 36th Marathon des Sables after an excellent long day! Continue reading →

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Stage 4 of the 36th Marathon des Sables may well go down as one of the most exciting in the history of the race as the El Morabity brothers brought their chess game to the Sahara. Continue reading →

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Stage 3 of the 36th Marathon des Sables has Anna Comet Pascu and Aziz Yachou secure their leads ahead of the stage 4 long day. Continue reading →

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Anna Comet Pascua secures her overall lead in the 36th Marathon des Sables and for the men, Aziz Yachou takes over the helm ahead of the El Morabity brothers. Continue reading →

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The 2022 Marathon des Sables got underway today, the 36th edition coming quickly after the 35th which took place in October 2021. Continue reading →

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Kilian at Glen Coe Skyline Who would have thought that Kilian Jornet would leave his sponsor, Salomon?

The duo seemed in perfect synergy:

Salomon is Kilian.

Kilian is Salomon.

Kilian skyrunning in Scotland. As Kilian said on the 30th November 2021, ‘I remember like it was yesterday in the summer of 2003, a friend of a friend gave me a few pairs of trail running shoes. This guy was the director of marketing for Salomon Spain. From that moment on, Salomon not only came a sponsor but a life partner…’

Together, Salomon and Kilian dreamed big… ‘From winning trail and skimo races to climbing high mountains. I was able to make dreams come true that I didn’t even believe possible, and it was in large part thanks to this team.’

Kilian at the iconic Trofeo Kima – a skyruning classic. For many of us, me included my journey in trail, mountain, ultra and skyrunning coincides with Kilian’s meteoric rise to be the ‘GOAT’ – Greatest Of All Time. We have absorbed his journey, jaws have dropped at his ability, we have had our minds blown by his escapades but now, a new period of history will be made.

I first met Kilian in 2012 and I feel lucky to have shared his journey, notably in skyrunning which Kilian holds very close to his heart. Ask Kilian who provided him the motivation to pursue his dreams and set goals and he will respond with, ‘Bruno Brunod, Fabio Meraldi, Marino Giacometti and Marco De Gasperi.’ This was reflected in his ‘Summits of my Life’ project and particularly his record on the Matterhorn.

Kilian and the Matterhorn. Since November, we have all looked back and remembered our journey with Kilian and wonder what is next?

Notably, there have been significant changes for Kilian in recent years. His relationship with Emelie Forsberg, his life in Norway and the arrival of two children most certainly would make one assess and look ahead to a different future. But importantly, the planet, environment and going ‘Green’ has been a very important part of the ‘new’ Kilian. So, it is or was fair to assume that any new project would have ecology at its core.

Image ©kilianjornet from IG We have been teased. On the 2nd of February Kilian posted a video of him running with his shoes blurred. He called it, ‘Testing.’

On February 14th he ran a 100-mile race, the Tjörnarparsen Ultra in Skåne, much of the attention was about what was on his feet.

February 23rd he announced his 2022 calendar: Pierra Menta, Zegama, Hardrock 100, Sierre Zinal and UTMB. It was a classic KJ year starting with skimo, a return to the iconic Zegama, Hardrock 100 which is maybe Kilian’s favourite race, the fast and athletic Sierre Zinal and the surprise, UTMB.

On March 5th, Kilian announced he would no longer partner with Suunto, a significant departure as Suunto and Salomon go hand-in-hand. On March 7th, he announced he had joined Coros.

IG teaser ©kilanjornet Finally, March 21st we are teased with, ‘Want to find out what’s behind the pixels of the last few months?’ There were some clues in the post, notably the sign-up details linking to The Normal Company, S.L. Which in turn links to Mountainlife SL and again links to Lymbus who manage Kilian. One thing was for sure, links to Mallorca and the brand ‘Camper.’

Well now, that future is disclosed.

It seems a lifetime since November 30th but today, March 2022, Kilian announces his project.

NNormal – Kilian Jornet and Camper will blaze a new trail with NNormal.

A new outdoor sportswear brand, designed and tested between the coasts of Mallorca and the fjords of Norway. The brand’s first products will be launched this Fall. The name reflects the Norway/ Mallorca (Nor-way + Mal-lorca) – designed in Mallorca and tested in Norway.

Kilian speaks on the new project:

“Sharing the same values was a strong motivation to start this project. We agreed that we need a new way of thinking and acting in relation to our environment and outdoor activities… We want to be very honest on how we produce the equipment and on the role the company wants to play for the society and the environment. This means transparency and working to avoid overconsumption by building products that are durable.”

“Building a new brand is always a very exciting adventure, although we are aware of the challenges involved… We are complementary partners of NNormal. Having the opportunity to conceive it with someone like Kilian is unique: to combine performance with personal responsibility strongly resonates with our DNA. He brings his strong product development expertise and unique vision of the outdoor world, while Camper brings innovation, shoemaking, and design know-how.”

The NNormal assortment will be launched in FW22 in Europe & North America via nnormal.com and specialist outdoor and running stores. The first drop will be limited, focusing on footwear, apparel and accessories for trail running and hiking. Kilian Jornet—the first ambassador of the NNormal team which will be revealed in the coming weeks—will wear them during this year’s race season.

Welcome to NNormal. Your Path, No Trace.

THOUGHTS

As mentioned above, until early March, Kilian’s new project was a ?. However, with research, it was possible to find out certain things and all my research led to Mallorca and Camper, so, it’s interesting to see that confirmed. Tofol Castanyer is ex Salomon and lives on Mallorca – no doubt instrumental in helping Kilian. As for the new team, it goes without saying Emelie Forsberg will join NNormal but it is not confirmed. There are also some other key names linked if you know where to look… For now, I will hold those names for fear of upsetting any future announcement. However, they can be seen here: https://www.nnormal.com/en/community/

As expected, a strong reference to respecting nature and ecology is paramount and the mission statement includes a reference to products that should be repairable, reusable, or repurposed or recyclable. Camper have already pioneered this with several projects. https://www.camper.com/en_GB/content/social_responsibility

The brand wishes to explore new ways to do things with product, sustainability, business, and social responsibility.

Of course, Kilian and his team will be able to pave a new way and lead by example. That will be relatively easy with Camper backing the project. Of course, the question mark will come how paving a new way still makes the business profitable and viable.

One thing is for sure, this new project will raise a few eyebrows. Camper and run shoes are not the obvious synergy. But Camper has the money and experience and no doubt, this partnership with Kilian must go back many months if not years. A shoe takes a long time to develop, especially a shoe that Kilian will endorse.

“All talk and no action equate to nothing. We know it’s not what we say, but what we do, that defines who we are.”

To conclude, the NNormal manifesto

We run for simple reasons and with a clear mind.

1. We blaze our own trail

Someone once said, we are our dreams… and if we don’t dream, we are no longer

alive. Our unique creative path drives us to give back to people and the planet.

2. Our home is outdoors

We’re passionate about outdoor sports—but above all we’re people. Reaching

the summit is also about the emotions and memories of everyone who’s come

with us on our journey.

3. We empower simplicity

Simplicity means that with less, we can do more. The simplest solution will be

the most efficient, but also the most difficult to imagine.

4. We take responsibility

In the outdoors, just as in life, you rely on the strength of your partners. We won’t

lose our way because there is no set way. We’re responsible for all our actions,

good or bad.

5. We act louder than we speak

All talk and no action equate to nothing. We know it’s not what we say, but what

we do, that defines who we are.

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Pablo Villa Imagine starting in the far north on a volcanic island and travelling to the southern tip by foot. During a night, a day and maybe even another night, it is possible to cross mountain peaks, run through deep valleys, past incredible rock formations, through pine forest and along dry riverbeds taking in the flagship race that makes the Transgrancanaria ‘Classic’ race – now 20-years old.

“I love Transgrancanaria because it’s the ultimate race. It has everything. Technical paths, flow paths, heat, running through the night and both terrain and time of day change. The atmosphere is top notch, both among the runners and those who cheer.” – Margrethe Fjetland Løvold

A rollercoaster, both mentally and physically, the trip will require you to dig deep, but in the process create unforgettable memories. Night trails to Teror and Artenara. The village of Tajeda. Sunrise at Roque Nublo. The steep climbing and descent to San Bartolomé de Tirajana and then the dusty, rocky and sandy trails that lead to the finish in Maspalomas.

“Transgrancanaria is a race I have dreamed of for several years. Standing on the starting line with 700 other like-minded ultra-runners in an insane mood is difficult to describe. There are people everywhere on the trail, at all hours of the day, cheering you on. One of my highlights as an ultra-runner!” – Frode Wiggen

This is Transgrancanaria! A point-to-point race that allows one to experience some of the best trails that Gran Canaria has to offer. The race is world famous and attracts thousands of runners from around the world. Here the elite gather to compete for the honor and glory in Europe’s first big race of the season.

Abby Hall in the night to Teror. It’s a race for all, not just the elite. The 2022 edition was won by Pablo Villa and Ragna Debats, but most who start just dream of a finish. Winning in 13-hours for the 128km race is far removed from those who will battle one day and two nights to finish in under 30-hours. No matter what time, the welcome is incredible.

Pau Capell fights the cold. The 2022 edition will be remembered for a wild and challenging night – cold temperatures, strong winds, rain and even snow. It was a challenge for all! But soon after Roque Nublo, dropping below the cloud, the weather changed and warm sun and blue skies welcomed participants. It was unbelievable to witness and no doubt challenged each runner as they tried to adapt.

Pablo Villa – happy! Pabo Villa paced himself through the night and took a convincing lead as daylight arrived. He was pursued by Pau Capell – the duo finished side-by-side in 2020. However, Pablo was too strong and he took an incredible win ahead of Pau and Pere Aurell.

Ragna Debats For the women, Abby Hall lead the way through the night feeling very strong. However, Ragna Debats eventually caught the adidas athlete and passed her to forge ahead for victory in 16:21:29, a lead of 21-minutes over Abby. Claudia Tremps completed the podium.

Tom Evans – what a victory! In the Advanced race, Tom Evans had one of those classic stories that you read in many magazines… Plagued by injury, he had some serious operations in 2021, started a long rehabilitation process and then returned to a big race and won! What a story. Aritz Egea pushed the adidas athlete but in the end, Tom was too strong, Aritz finished 10-minutes later. Matthieu Delpeuch finished 3rd.

Advanced women’s podium. Ariana Wilhem finished ahead of Johanna Antila and Leah Yingling for a closely fought female Advanced podium.

Sebastien Ljungdahl – A surprise win! In the marathon, Sebastian Ljungdahl and Sara Alonso ran too incredible and fast performances to take victory. Sara’s performance a course record. Despite the speed, they were close races with Marten Boström and Antonio Martínez completing the men’s podium. For the women, Toni McCann had a great first race in Europe placing 2nd and Anna Comet placed 3rd.

Sara Alonso Full results listed below.

The Classic and the Marathon races feature in the Spartan Trail World Championships.

IMAGE GALLERIES HERE

Transgrancanaria has distances for every runner, the organization realise that a north-to-south journey is too much for many. Therefore, they offer multiple options: Advanced (62km), Marathon (43km), Starter (26km) or Promo (15km) – all taking place on sections of the full route.VK El Gigante, new for 2022, is a great 1000m climb starting from San Pedro in the Ageate area of the island.

Abelone Lyng Experienced ultra and mountain runner, Abelone Lyng toed the line of the Advanced race after a full-on week pre-race, exploring the island.

“The weather was wild in the first 30 km with gusts of wind that almost blew me over a couple of times. We had mud and believe it or not, snow! But the last half of the race was cloudless skies and scorching sun. I liked the trail after Roque Nublo, it was steep and technical.”

The iconic Roque Nublo – a stunning backdrop. With stunning beaches, sea, stunning weather, trails and mountains, this island in the Canaries is one of ‘the’ go-to places for racing or training. It’s no coincidence that Transgrancanaria is now in its 21st year – a clear example of why this island is a Mecca for trail and mountain runners. So, what are you going?

Words and Text by Abelone Lyng

CLASIFICACIÓN CLASSIC

Men’s

Pablo Villa (SPA). 13:37:30
Pau Capell (SPA). 13:58:47
Pere Aurell (SPA). 14:12:02

Women’s

Ragna Debats (NED). 16:00:14
Abby Hall (USA). 16:21:29
Claudia Tremps (SPA). 16:45:35

CLASIFICACIÓN ADVANCED

Men’s

Tom Evans (GRB). 05:10:39
Aritz Egea (SPA). 05:20:25
Matthieu Delpeuch (FRA). 05:31:44

Women’s

Ariana Wilhem (SUI). 06:06:16
Johanna Antila (FIN). 06:10:29
Leah Yingling (USA). 06:35:49

CLASIFICACIÓN MARATÓN

Men’s

Sebastian Ljungdahl (SUE). 03:02:00
Marten Boström (FIN). 03:05:07
Antonio Martínez (SPA). 03:08:02

Women’s

Sara Alonso (SPA). 03:30:10
Toni McCann (ZAF). 03:34:03
Anna Comet (SPA). 03:37:26

CLASIFICACIÓN STARTER

Men’s

Alberto Vender (ITA). 01:35:51
Eduard Hernández (SPA). 01:38:34
Damián Ramis (SPA). 01:40:50

Women’s

Mélina Grosjean (FRA). 01:57:45
Ainara Uribarri (SPA). 02:00:20
Georgia Tindley (GRB). 02:04:11

CLASIFICACIÓN PROMO

Men’s

Daniel Pattis (ITA). 00:44:31
Jürgen Lui (GER). 00:53:38
Jorge Álvarez (SPA). 00:54:14

Women’s

Sasa Torkar (SLO). 01:07:47
Lara Cordero (SPA). 01:08:28
Mar González (SPA). 01:08:36

CLASIFICACIÓN YOUTH

Men’s

Mael Allaire (FRA). 00:46:40
Saúl Rodríguez (SPA). 00:51:47
Aarón Felipe (SPA). 00:53:23

Women’s

Noelia Santana (SPA). 01:28:35

CLASIFICACIÓN KV EL GIGANTE

Men’s

Chris Richards (GBR). 00:39:05
Ricardo Cherta (SPA). 00:41:33
Yoann Stuck (FRA). 00:42:48

Women’s

Gisela Carrión (SPA). 00:48:50
Georgia Tindley (GBR). 00:49:40
Mélina Clerc-Grosjean (FRA). 00:53:23

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Ribelle Run GTX

Ribelle Run (not GTX)

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Heat is often debilitating for a runner. Heat cramp, heat exhaustion, dehydration, heat stroke, headaches and the desire just to stop are all very real problems.

As the summer season approaches, running in a hot climate is sometimes unavoidable, however, racing in a hot climate is relatively controllable as you will understand in advance the race, the environment and the expected temperatures one can expect.

Understanding the conditions of ones running and racing environment is crucial to make the best of all the hard training you have done. So, one needs to adapt and plan.

Heat acclimatisation takes place in a natural environment where one can specifically prepare in advance of a chosen race or project, ideally for 7-14 days before the event. For most of us though, the luxury of travelling for 14-days and having an acclimatisation holiday is not a realistic proposition.

This is where Heat Acclimation comes in. In simple terms, this is about providing heat stress in a controlled environment, typically a heat chamber, over a set period of time and sessions.

Dr Jodie Moss has specialised in heat acclimation and in the process, put her learning to real time use at the 2019 Marathon des Sables where she placed 8th woman.

Jodie at MDS With Marathon des Sables approaching, it is timely to re-visit and gain a full understanding of what is required to acclimate to heat with an interview with Dr Jodie from July 2020.

Podcast HERE.

What is it about heat that makes running so difficult?

You are imposed upon by a different challenge. What happens is you create this metabolic heat by contracting your muscles. When one runs, you use muscle mass and this generates heat. When you then exercise in a hot environment, particularly if it is greater than skin temperature, then this makes it very difficult to get rid of heat. Humans are not the most efficient mechanically, so this energy from contracting muscles, potentially around 20 to 30% of the mechanical energy being made is converted to chemical energy, that means 70%, maybe even more, needs to be eradicated in the environment. If the environment is hot, for example, the Sahara, a challenge is imposed to eradicate the heat and what often happens is is that the heat is stored and one feels hotter and this then has a cascade effect of issues and problems, physiologically and perceptually.

Physiologically:

An increase in skin temperature is likely the one which is noticed first as it is directly impacted upon by the environment. There will be an increased demand for blood flow that needs to go to muscle to provide it with oxygen/ energy to run, but also there is a competition for blood flow to the skin. In order to thermo regulate, blood is competing with muscles and skin and that creates an impact on one’s cardiovascular system. Typically, heart rate will increase due to the increased workload sending blood to muscles and skin.

Body core temperature will increase.

Sweet rate will also increase and therefore the percentage of water loss will increase and the consequence of this is dehydration – a deficit in body water with onward complications.

Perceptually:

We thermally perceive it to be a lot hotter.

You are more uncomfortable.

The feeling of needing to slow down and therefore performance is impacted.

Is heat acclimation as valid for the runner at the front, as well as the runner at the back?

In principal, yes. However, if we take Marathon des Sables as an example and the winner, Rachid El Morabity, he is a Moroccan, he lives in the environment in which the race takes place, therefore he is naturally acclimatising on all his training runs. Therefore, he has no need to acclimate artificially.

Highly trained individuals though, through training, can gain thermal adaptations, irrespective of environment. For example, if you are training everyday, particularly at a high percentage of VO2max, one will create heat this will require a higher sweat rate and therefore adaptation takes place. But, interventions should be in place both acute and chronic, to minimise the effect of environment on performance. Environment, will always have an impact on performance, no matter which athlete.

Acclimate for the heat. When is a good time to start adapting to heat and how?

It is a consideration for close to competition, typically in a period of 7 to 21-days. Adaptation from exposure diminishes rapidly, so, there is no need to do this too far away from the chosen event.

Now of course, if one is fortunate with time, the best scenario is to travel to the race location and adapt naturally in the environment of the race. However, very few have such a luxury and this is where acclimating as opposed to acclimatising steps in.

However, budget can be an issue, so it is possible to adapt via some simple home methods. Keep one’s training as planned, say by a coach, and then add layers of clothing while training. Have a hot bath after training. One can also consider Bikram Yoga and say saunas. But, and this is a big but, while some of these interventions will have some benefit, it is not something that can be recommended completely as it is harder to prescribe and measure.

We want heat adaptation and these adaptations only occur when there is sufficient thermal strain.

As an example, one could run for an hour with layers and build heat. Then immediately have a hot bath. Water has a greater density than air and the heat inside the body would be retained and most likely increase, this would stress the system. But, the issues arise with how long does one do this… Ultimately though, this is considerably better than nothing!

By far the best way, is environmental heat chamber.

Environmental Heat Chamber

The jury is still out on what is the optimal sessions for performance gain, however, five sessions would be considered fundamental over a period of 7 to 14-days. This period has shown results of a much more fulfilled adaptation. The pseudo motor function (sweat rate) takes a little longer to occur, but all the other measurements, cardiovascular and lowering core body temp occurs quite rapidly. So, based on sweat rate, a longer period of time provides the best results.

In regard to the sessions, they could be performed every 2-days, every other day, every day and some even do 2 sessions per day. But obviously time and budget is a huge factor.

It is also important to remember that these sessions take place close to competition, so, monitoring stress and recovery is equally important.

In regard to session length, 60-minutes is usually adequate and this allows the body to get hot enough.

I get asked about adding a run pack and weight, for example, MDS is a self-sufficient race and a pack is required. On the start line, the minimum weight will be 8kg. But training with this in the heat is not necessary, but some insist as it provides security, comfort and a greater understanding of what the Sahara, as an example, may feel like. But this adds additional stress and the sessions are about heat adaptation.

The Protocol

Isothermic heat acclimation intervention is typical. We get you to exercise so that your core reaches a certain temperature. For this we use a rectal thermistor. This ensures that you meet the thermal stimulus, crucial for sessions like this.

We measure body weight naked and this allows us to monitor fluid intake and sweat rate. We can test urine to look at hydration status too. This is all about making the client aware of hydration and levels. We also want the client to leave a session re-hydrated!

A treadmill or bicycle is used. Personally, I prefer the bike as it adds less impact to the body. It’s important to remember, these sessions are about heat adaptation, they are not training sessions. A 5-minute check will include hear rate, core temperature, skin temperature, perception of thermal environment, how hot does the client think it is? And finally, I will ask how comfortable the client is. Then, the exercise will begin.

We aim for a core of 38.5 degrees in each session. This is ideal for pseudo motor and thermo functions to be maximised. It ensures that we are always controlling and meeting a fixed criteria. Measuring the thermal strain is key. It usually takes about 30-minutes to get to 38.5 degrees depending on the individual. But external factors do have an impact.

We typically see improvements by session 3. But it is important to have, say 10-minutes of each session fixed, that way we can monitor improvement and adaptation. We can gain the data here and then report back. Day 5 to day 7 will show the most improvement. So, 7-sessions.

Time can be an issue and some may prefer to squeeze two sessions per day and compress 7-days, say, into 3 or 4. This is possible and literature confirms this. Total exposure is more important than days.

Ideally, the last session would be 1 or 2-days before departure for the chosen race.

What problems can occur without acclimation and how does one mitigate it?

A runner will be faced with a physical and perceptual challenge that will have negative effects. They will be slower, frustrated, dehydrated and have a potential of heat stroke and ultimately they may not finish the race. If any of these elements are experienced, try to cool as much as possible, seek shade at aid stations, rest and allow the core to lower. Hydrate and use spare water to provide a perceptual cooling. Water on face, head, forearms and neck will help a little.

On a personal note:

I did not have the perfect race and that is what makes me keep signing up to race. My heat protocols were great but I compromised my training and I was surprised with 8th place. I had an amazing support system and I do have chronic heat exposure, I am also very good at getting rid of heat. I also sweat high. But I need to be careful on dehydration. I made a mistake with my pack trying to make it as light as possible but I compromised my pack integrity and this hurt my back. I look forward to going back, I hope in 2021.

Jodie with her medal. Top 3 tips to get ready in regard to heat and training.

Have a heat protocol as outlined above.
Test all kit and nutrition, leave nothing to chance.
Do not panic. Trust the training you have done. Do not increase mileage and training in the light stages. Do not risk injury or illness. Be healthy.

Seeking shade at the 2021 MDS. Follow on:

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Hayden Hawks Pura Vida! The final and 6th stage of The Coastal Challenge is done!

The Coastal Challenge Starting at Ganadito Beach and concluding at Ganadito Beach, the 36.4km final stage of the 2022 TCC was a tough one, with a substantial amount of extra kilometres over the usual victory loop of the iconic Drake Bay.

Long and endless beaches This time, Drake Bay was reached after 10.7km, usually, this would be the start and end point.

At 21.3km, Cp2 San Josecito Beach saw the lead men all together and Giudy well out on her own.

San Josecito Beach – Hayden Hawks Agujitas at 33.3km rewarded runner’s with a sight of the finish at Ganadito Beach.

Franco Colle and Julien Chorier For all, it was a day to enjoy, signified by the lead men running together for much of the race, the exception coming with Erick Agüero who lost the group and trailed minutes behind.

Giudy at the waterfall crossing. Giudy Turini ran solo, no doubt looking to get the last day done as quickly as possible. Francis Davila Palacios doing the same.

Francis Davila Palacios Stage 6 is a mini TCC encompassing, waterfalls, rainforest, plantations, dusty fire trail, water crossings, beaches, coves and the stunning Pacific as a backdrop.

Peter van de Zon ran a great race for 2nd place Fire roads start the day, a run in a river bed, a waterfall crossing, dirt roads with countless water passes and then finally the beach arrives. The coastline weaving in and out all the way to the line.

At the end, Hayden Hawks and Giudy Turini are the 2022 TCC champions.

The men’s podium, Hayden, Peter and Erick 2022 female champ, Giudy The line was full of emotion as an epic journey has come to an end. The 2022 TCC was a huge success.

Paolo Gamboa Sanchez placed 3rd OVERALL RESULTS:

Hayden Hawks 24:26:23
Peter van de Zorn 24:51:16
Erick Agüero 26:01:14
Giudy Turini 32:45:55
Francis Davila Palacios 35:33:26
Paolo Gamboa Sanchez 40:18:12

Pura Vida – TCC2022 comes to an end Results and overall standings on webscorer.com

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Day 5 is a long day on The Coastal Challenge and what a day! At 42km, it is shorter than previous editions of the TCC due to a change of the finish area and camping location. This, makes the last day considerably longer and much more of a challenge than in previous years.

Runners depart camp via bus for a short bus ride to the Sierpe River and ferry across to the other side.

Cp1 Portero, 11km, is reached by gravel roads and faster running. Sábalo follows at 18km and here, the gravel road gives way to more technical and challenging terrain. There is a steep climb and descent before gravel road resumes to Cp3 Ganado. Now a final technical loop, beach section and water crossing brings stage 5 to an end at Ganadito Beach.

Peter van de Zon Much of today’s route is considered very runnable on wide gravel roads. Great if you can run, but for many, stage 5 is a tough day with tired bodies.

Peter and Hayden, head-to-head It may come as no surprise that once again Hayden Hawks and Peter van de Zon dictated the race from the front. The duo running together for the whole day and crossing the line in 4:20:50.

The water crossing

Erick Agüero battled hard and early in the race he held a small gap. But as the race progressed, the gap opened and Erick seemed to relax, content with his 3rd place crossing in 4:50:15.

Erick Agüero Franco Colle finished 10-minutes with Julien Chorier in 5:00:33. Franco somehow finding form in the latter stages of the race, no doubt due to adapting to the heat.

Julien Chorier Julien and Franco Colle 5:47:43, 6:05:35 and 6:43:42 were the women’s finishing times, the race once again taking the format of the previous days with Giudy Turini, Francis Davila Palacios and Courtney Hill finishing 1, 2 and 3.

Giudy Turini Francis Davila Palacios Japanese runner, Tomomi Bitoh joined the race today after opening quarantine in San Jose and then being cleared with a negative PCR test. It was a bitter sweet moment for Tomomi after excitement over a trip and race in Costa Rica, for it all to be taken away at the 11th hour. She will savour the opportunity to experience some Pura Vida and a magical part of the TCC race.

Tomomi Bitoh Tomorrow’s stage is a loop of Drake Bay – it’s a stunning day that manages to encamps all the previous 5 days in one loop. However, in previous years, this race was often a victory loop at just over 20km… Now, the last day is a challenging 37km!

Making a splash! Stage Results:

Hayden Hawks 4:20:50
Peter van de Zorn 4:20:50
Erick Agüero 4:50:15
Giudy Turini 5:47:43
Francis Davila Palacios 6:05:35
Courtney Hill 6:43:42

Full results at www.webscorer.com

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Erick Agüero Day 4 from Coronado to Palma Norte (a new finish) is a unique day – starting at sea level, the route climbs to just under 1000m in 10km and then stays high with a rollercoaster of hills dropping to just under 600m at 15km and then climbing again to 900m at 20km. From here, the runners drop to 600m at 30km and then once agin, climb to 850m before a short, sharp and very steep drop to the finish.

Hayden Hawks pushing the pace With three aid stations, Tres Ríos at 6.1km, Guagaral at 15.5km and Donkey’s Hill at 23km, it is essential for the runner’s to ensure they have enough fluid for this tough stage. The distance 37.4km and 2414m of vertical.

Early morning had a chill and misty start and at remained that way for some time, providing the runner’s with a welcome refreshing start to the day.

Giudy Turini The main protagonists of Hayden Hawks, Peter van de Zon, Erick Agüero and Julien Chorier marked each other over the opening 10km running side-by side.

Eventually, Hayden Hawks decided to make a move… His motive was to build some time and a gap so that he could concede some time on the more challenging and technical terrain.

Peter chasing hard By Donkey’s Hill he had really opened the throttle and built a huge lead over Peter who chased.

Erick Agüero Despite the terrain and challenge, Hayden stormed his way to the finish crossing in 4:18:15. Peter battled hard but in the end, the speed of Hayden on the flat and more runnable terrain could not be matched, he reached the finish in 4:25:23.

Expansive vista Erick Agüero once again finished 3rd once again in 4:38:27 with Julien 4th in 4:46:07.

Giudy Turini The women’s race went to the protocol of the previous days with Giudy Turini pushing from the front, holding her place and crossing the line in 6:02:17.

Francis Davila Palacios Francis Davila Palacios played the eternal bridesmaid, always running with a smile and crossing in 6:20:52.

Courtney Hill Courtney Hill, once again placed 3rd in 7:17:59 and today, Jennifer Schwegler placed 4th.

Tomorrow’s stage is 42km from Sierpe to Drake Bay with a new finish.

Franco Colle Stage Results:

Hayden Hawks 4:18:15
Peter van de Zorn 4:25:23
Erick Agüero 4:38:27
Giudy Turini 6:02:17
Francis Davila Palacios 6:20:52
Courtney Hill 7:17:59

Epic vistas Full results at www.webscorer.com

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Hayden and Peter at Nuayaca Waterfall Day 3 of The Coastal Challenge kicked off at 0530 this morning and what lay ahead was a tough and challenging day of hills, technical trail, waterfalls, long dusty and stony roads and beach – all intensified by Costa Rican heat and humidity.

The early trails leaving Dominical Beach take the runners into 9.7km’s of technical river bed. It’s all rock hopping and slip sliding away on the wet and greasy surface until Cp1 Barú.

Danish ultra runner, Jakob Bloch. Nuayaca Waterfall is no doubt the highlight of the day, if not the race. The runners arrive down a small trail and the cascade greets them, they pass through and then climb up a winding trail.

From here on in, the terrain varies from rainforest, dusty access roads and technical trail. La Florida, Cp2 at 23.4km provides hydration and nutrition before the push to Cp3, Hermosa Beach and then Uvita at 42km.

Erick tries to cool down. Now, the heat is intense and the runners are sandwich pressed between sand and sky.

Peter at the water crossing Everyone survived… A small technical forest section leads to a water crossing, the highway and then another trail section before road leads to a new campsite, first used in the 2021 edition. Katakolo signifies the finish.

Erick Agüero Erick Agüero dictated the pace from the start, it comes as no surprise with his experience on the course, particularly the opening technical 10km. He was accompanied by the main protagonists, Hayden Hawks, Peter van de Zon and Julien Chorier.

Julien Chorier At Cp2 though, Hayden and Peter had pulled away on the rollercoaster terrain and had gained a substantial 5-minute lead. Julien Chorier was now trailing the leading three and losing time.

Hermosa Beach passed and then at the water crossing, immediately after Cp4, Hayden extended a short lead over Peter; both looking strong. Erick now had lost significant time but had a huge lead over 4th, Julien.

Hayden strong and in control At the line, Hayden had once again extended his time crossing in 5:29:16. Peter, running a solid and excellent race, crossed in 5:31:25 well ahead of the local hero, Erick who ran a time of 5:49:43.

Erick pushing to the line Giudy was flying! Giudy Turini once again lead from the front and never looked back. Early in the stage, she was contending a top-10 position overall and that remained the way through most of the stage, so strong was her performance. With no immediate pressure from behind and with such a convincing lead, she is pacing herself perfectly for 2022 TCC victory.

Giudy at the final water crossing Francis Davila Palacios once again ran strong and steady for 2nd place. Consistent in the heat and terrain, barring any problems over the next three days, her 2nd overall looks secure.

Francis Davila Palacios Courtney Hill once again followed up a solid stage 2 with a great stage 3, however, the battle with Paolo Gamboa Sanchez, for today, was truce, the due crossed the line together, a second apart.

Paolo Gamboa Sanchez Stage Results:

Hayden Hawks 5:29:16
Peter van de Zorn 5:31:25
Erick Agüero 5:49:43
Giudy Turini 7:39:13
Francis Davila Palacios 8:36:22
Courtney Hill/ Paolo Gamboa Sanchez 9:02:56

Results and overall standings on webscorer.com

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It was a an 0330 wake up call this morning and an 0530 start. It may sound super early but believe me, the runners weren’t complaining! Most had been in bed before 8pm. The advantages of an early start are simple, it gives the runners a good 2-hours before the heat starts to take its toll. For Costa Rica, it was a chilly morning (relatively) as the runner’s departed straight in to a steep climb.

Today’s stage was a tough 41.3km with 1828m of vertical and 1953m of descending.

Julien Chorier and Peter van de Zorn Julien Chorier, Peter van de Zorn, Hayden Hawks and Erick Agüero pushed hard on the first climb and after the summit, Julien and Peter opened a small gap over the chasing duo. Leaving the trail, gravel roads lead the way to Cp1 El Brujo at 13.1km. It was a tight race up front and the more technical trail suited Peter, Erick and Julien. Erick opened a gap!

Dos Bocas, Cp2 at 23km and Eick had taken the lead with Peter 2-minutes behind and Hayden chasing 4-minutes back. Was the Costa Rican local and TCC regular about to light up the race?

By Cp3 at Hatillo, 33km, Hayden had closed the gap with Julien not far behind. It was significant marker in the race. The heat was now full strength and ahead flat beach running to Dominical and two water crossings.

Hayden Hawks Dominical Beach is a haven for the local fishermen. Hayden bided his time and pulled away, it was a clever move, he had saved something for when it mattered and the gap opened up over Erick with Peter chasing.

Peter van de Zorn At the line, Hayden had opened up several minutes and clinched another stage victory and a solid lead. Next to appear was Erick and on his heels, Peter. The due crossing the line 35-seconds apart. A stunning day’s racing.

Julien Chorier Julien Chorier placed 4th and Daniel Herrera Montero placed 5th, flying the flag for Costa Rica.

Daniel Herrera Montero In the women’s race Giudy Turini followed on her stage 1 victory with a convincing performance. Before Cp1 she had already built a lead, this only increased checkpoint by checkpoint, she crossed the line well ahead of 2nd and looked comfortable in the heat.

Giudy Turini As on day-1, Francis Davila Palacios ran the day in 2nd place, but as the day progressed and the distance lengthened, the time gap to Giudy only extended. However, at the finish she still looked strong and fresh. There is still a long way to go!

Giudy at the finish. Paola Gamboa Sanchez who placed 3rd on day-1 struggled a little today opening the door for Courtney Hill who achieved a 14-minute gap. Paola still retaining 3rd overall after 2-stages.

Francis Davila Palacios Courtney Hill Paola Gamboa Sanchez Tomorrow’s stage, stage 3, is 50.5km and a tough one that runs from Dominical Beach to a new finish at Katakolo.

Stage Results:

Hayden Hawks 3:57:06
Erick Agüero 4:00:22
Peter van de Zorn 4:00:57

In the overall standings, Hayden has a 16-minute lead over Peter.

Giudy Turini 5:14:41
Francis Davila Palacios 5:46:35
Courtney Hill 6:26:08

In the overall standings, Giudy has a 37-minutes lead over Francis.

Full stage results webscorer.com

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Hayden Hawks crossing the final river for victory. Leaving San Jose at 0430, runners eventually arrived at Quepos and transferred to the beach for an 0920 start, the 2022 The Coastal Challenge getting underway! As always, day 1 of TCC starts late and typically it is tough… The heat and humidity is already high and there is no time to adjust. This year, temperatures were cooler and the humidity was not as intense.

The early flat miles ticked away and it was Hayden Hawks who pushed the pace. Hayden raced TCC in 2018 and with that experience, he has arrived with better preparation and heat adaptation. He meant business dictating a fast pace.

Peter van der Zon Behind Peter van der Zon chased followed by Julien Chorier and local, Erick Agüero, a multiple TCC finisher and often on or close to the podium.

Erick Agüero Giudy Turini dictated the women’s race and looked comfortable and relaxed, Francis Palacios chased.

Giudy Turini Cp1 at Boca Naranjito and runner’s were already feeling the heat and the impact of the opening flat miles.

Cooling off A dense section of rainforest and then some fast trails to cp2, Londres, saw Hayden extend his lead and notably, Erick was now in third place.

At the third aid station, Los Campesinos, a steep climb and descent before the final river crossing allowed the gaps to open. Hayden never really attacked, he just maintained a fast pace, the cooler day allowing him to close faster than his 2018 time when racing with Tom Evans. A day 1 victory.

Peter ran a smart race with a strong second place, almost 12-minutes behind Hayden. TCC regular, Erick placed third 5-minutes later.

Giudy for the ladies was not in a race on her own, she was pushed by Francis and Paolo Gamboa Sanchez, all three finishing within a 10-minute window.

Paolo Sanchez Notably, Tomomi Bitoh from Japan, who placed second at Marathon des Sables in October, was unable to start after a positive Covid test pre-race. Needless to say, it was sad news and while the Coronavirus situation is improving, the TCC and race team have strict protocols in place to ensure everyones safety.

Julien Chorier Julien Chorier and Franco Colle suffered in the heat and humidity today, placing 4th and 7th respectively.

Franco Colle * Hayden Hawks 2:35:29 * Peter van der Zon 2:47:13 * Erick Agüero 2:51:59

Francis Palacios * Giudy Turini 3:44:15 * Francis Palacios 3:47:28 * Paolo Gamboa Sanchez 3:53:44

Stage 2 starts at Rafiki Lodge and concludes at Dominical Beach, 41.3km and 1828m of vertical.

Full results at www.webscorer.com

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Hayden Hawks Runners have arrived in San Jose, Costa Rica ahead of the 2022 The Coastal Challenge. In less than 24-hours, racing gets underway close to the coastal town of Quepos, ahead, a multi-day journey that concludes in the stunning Drake Bay.

Hayden Hawks, heads up the elite field having raced here in 2018 and placing 2nd behind Tom Evans.

Hayden will have strong competition from Julien Chorier (France), Franco Colle (Italy) and Peter van der Zon (Netherlands).

Julien Chorier In the women’s race, the main two protagonists will be Giudy Turini (Italy) and Tomomi Bitoh (Japan).

Giudy Turini Tomomi recently placed 2nd at the October edition of Marathon des Sables and Giudy is an experienced trail runner, mountain runner and ski mountaineer.

2022 Route

The 2022 route for TCC, both Adventure and Expedition, has been impacted due to the Coronavirus pandemic and will see some changes. Notably to days 5 and 6 with a new camp finish and start resulting in a longer final day. More information will follow with daily posts.

Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6 Adventure

Day 1 33.5km
Day 2 17.4km
Day 3 18km
Day 4 14.5km
Day 5 25.9km
Day 6 36.4km
Total 145.7km

Expedition

Day 1 33.5km
Day 2 41.3km
Day 3 50.5km
Day 4 37.4km
Day 5 42km
Day 6 36.5km
Total 241.2km

Course records for previous editions of the Expedition are Tom Evans 21h 29m 12s and Ida Nilsson 23h 36m 04s.

Racing starts 0900 on Sunday February 6th. Use #TCC2022 to follow the race and check Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for daily updates.

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A Multi-Day race or a long-distance ultra is a huge undertaking. For many, it’s a 12-month project (or longer) that slowly but surely can consume every available day, hour, minute and second.

I get it, a long-distance race over multiple days in an unfamiliar terrain can leave more questions than answers. However, don’t panic, it’s not that complicated – read HERE.

As your key adventure looms, it’s time to focus the mind, body, and equipment so that you can plan for and anticipate all that may go wrong and right while undertaking this key target.

Quite simply, the old saying, ‘Fail to Prepare, Prepare to Fail’ does and can ring true.

So, what can be done?

Luck can have a place in any success; however, it should never be relied on. In multi-day events, particularly self-sufficient ones, the need to fine tune everything is a key element.

Training.
Kit.
Mind.

All of the above have very important roles to play in success.

Get the training wrong, you may not have the fitness or an injury that will result in you not achieving the finish line.
Get the kit wrong, be it too heavy, not durable or inappropriate may impact on your ability to achieve your goal.
Many say the mind is a key and an integral part of any success. Often, the body can be willing, but the mind can be weak, get the mind focused and prepared.

You need to be prepared for whatever your multi-day adventure will throw at you.

In the final phase of training, 6-8 weeks before your adventure starts, is a great time to start working on the final phases and plans that will help ensure success.

THE PREPARE PHASE

If we assume that tapering will take 2 to 3-weeks, this key ‘Prepare Phase’ should be in weeks 4, 5, 6 and 7 before D-Day.

Train and prepare specifically. First and foremost, understand the challenge that you are undertaking. You may feel that you already have a grasp on this, but there is no harm sitting down and going through all they key aspects. Terrain, weather, mandatory kit, distance, and conditions. Look at the October 2021 edition of Marathon des Sables, the race started with a series of protocols to manage Coronavirus. Ultimately, Coronavirus was not a consideration, it was extreme heat, sickness and stomach problems.

Understand the event and challenge. Walk, WALK, WALK! – Walking will (for most) be an absolute essential skill to complete any multi-day adventure. You may think you will run most of the distance… But experience confirms that walking is a key to success. Walking, and walking with purpose is a skill. Practice. Consider poles, they may enhance your walking experience, if so, practice and use them.

Learn to walk. Without doubt you will have long days, and some will go in to the night and through the night. Take time and plan and include a session like this in the ‘Prepare Phase!’ Understand here that this is an opportunity to test kit, not only yourself. Is your head torch bright enough, how do temperatures vary, how does my appetite and requirement for fluid change etc. By doing this in training, you do it in a safe environment. If it all goes badly, you can always make a call and get picked up or get a taxi. You can’t do that in your race or event. Darkness and nighttime can play tricks.

Back-to-back runs may well have featured in your training but running/ walking tired is a skill. However, be careful how you plan this in training. You want adapt body and mind, not break them.

Practice makes perfect. Perform training with rationed water and race/ event food. You need to learn what works and what doesn’t work. It’s all very well going for a long run and then getting home and eating chocolate and drinking Coca Cola – can you do that in your event? Mentally this can be a real tough challenge – be prepared.

Get a pack that fits perfectly and does not bounce. Your pack will be with you for the duration of your event. It must be as light as possible and also sturdy enough to last the challenge without breaking. Be minimalist on equipment and purchase the lightest equipment possible. Remember though, lightweight can often mean less durable, less warm, less functional and so on… Better to break or damage equipment in training so that you can make changes ready for the important challenge ahead. Modify and adapt.

Be specific! Be specific. Snow, mountains, altitude, heat, or cold. Understand the demands that will be placed on you in your challenge and plan for a specific phase (typically in the 2-3 weeks before the event) to help acclimate. This could be a heat chamber, it could be arriving early before an event and adjusting to high altitude, it could be some specific cold, ice or snow training.

Try out food for an adventure in training. Plan an ‘event simulation’ that will require you to run for a specific distance, be self-sufficient overnight, sleep in a similar scenario/ situation to your event and then get up and run the next day. This can be a key element in understanding what does and does not work. Is your sleeping mat comfortable? Is the sleeping bag warm? Did your food taste good? How easy was it to cook? How about snacks, did they work? How was the pack weight and distribution of contents?

Spend a night out in training to find out what does and does not work. Train with your pack and add weight, however, be careful NOT to do too much training with too much weight. This can result in injury. In addition, learn how to pack your bag so that it sits comfortably with minimal bounce. Understand where to put snacks so that you can access them on the go.

Look after feet – many failures come via poor shoe choice and foot care. Feet and shoes. Please do not ask. ‘What shoe shall I use for ‘X’ Event?’ Runners are individuals and what works for one does not work for others. Gait, foot shape, foot width, foot length, toe length, run conditions and so on all impact. Read THIS article on how to find the correct run shoe.

Water and hydration is key to success. Food glorious food. Calories are essential for an event, so is what they weigh. Understand food and its nutritional values and make sound educated choices that balance fat, protein, and carbohydrate. Also understand that taste changes. Sweet may be ok early on but typically savory is better as time passes. Is beef jerky better than nuts? What food rehydrates quickly or with cold/ warm water? Should I take bars? What about protein drinks? So many questions… They need answering!

Shops are not always available. You only have to do three things at most multi-day events:

Run.
Eat.
Sleep.

All three impact on each other, so, make sure you have all of them dialed.

Finally, remember, we are all individual. What works for one person, will not work for another. It is your responsibility to take ownership of yourself, the challenge you are undertaking and the challenges it will bring. Ultimately, that is why you signed up, no?

JOIN OUR MULTI-DAY TRAINING CAMP HERE

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I don’t know why it has taken me so long to run in the La Sportiva Akasha? But, now that I have, I am somewhat perplexed that I have been missing an awesome shoe for months and probably years.

With 350km in the Akasha in just over 2-weeks, I can confirm that they are one of the most comfortable and reassured shoes I have used irrespective of the type of terrain or distance of run.

They are billed as a cushioned, protective and a long-distance shoe. When you first pick them up, you notice two things:

They feel bomb proof.
1. They are a little heavy.

Of course, bomb proof and additional weight go hand in hand, but if the run comfort and feel is good, a little extra weight is no real issue. Weight is 310g for UK8.

From the off, the Akasha felt immediately comfortable with a great fit, roomy toe box, but not too roomy (3 on a 1-5 scale,) very breathable upper, padded tongue, excellent lacing and foot hold and a comfortable heel box.

The cushioning is notable with 31mm / 25mm stack height for a 6mm drop and lugs are 4.5mm

The cushioning platform is noticeable and especially so when running. It is injected moulded EVA in a single density. It has stabiliser anti torsional inserts and it features the trail rocker that helps slow the transition from heel strike to toe off by isolating and deforming the heel zone separately by providiing a separation

Out if the box I went on an 18km gnarly trail run with loads of rocks and vert. The following day was a 32km run on similar terrain. The shoes were just soooo comfortable and protective. I was cursing that it had taken me so long to use the Akasha and I was already thinking to myself, I need to get another pair…! The cushioning and protection remarkably do not lose ground feel, on the contrary, it’s really good! Of course, not comparable with a more minimalist shoe but hey, the Akasha is not trying to be that!

There is no rock plate, but with this level of cushioning it is no issue. Importantly, there is a real feel for the ground and a life in the shoe. The heal area is very cushioned and bouncy. The Ortholite Mountain Running insert adds to the comfort also. Rocks, irrespective of shape caused no foot discomfort and on no occasion did I feel anything push through the cushioning to make me wince with that all to painful twinge in the bottom of the foot.

Lacing up the shoes, there is an immediate foot hold and security in the instep. This I like. I don’t like sloppy shoes with poor foot hold, especially when running on technical trail. The tongue is gusseted and has a sock-like fit, again, another real bonus!

Overlays provide reinforcement of the very breathable and airy upper around the instep and at the front of the shoe. There is little to restrict the toes at the front and this has been superb when running on any type of terrain. The shoes bend beautifully and make the propulsive phase a pleasure.

Outsole is the aggressive FriXion XT which is unique to La Sportiva and is superb. The grip (4.5mm lugs) is well spaced out to help shed mud. With a built in ‘Trail Rocker’ these Akasha really role along. You will notice red areas on the sole which have a different look to the black areas. This allows for superb heel to toe transition should it be required – depending on your run style and gait.

No matter what I have thrown at the Akasha, they have responded superbly with superb ride, excellent comfort, and superb grip. They even accompanied me on a 16km road run and even then, the performance and feel were excellent.

They are a heavier shoe, but when running in them you just don’t notice it, especially when on challenging terrain.

Regarding size, you may want to consider going a half size larger. I am pretty much always a UK9.5/ EU44 in most shoes. The La Sportiva comes as a EU442/3 (which is a UK9.5+) and they have been great with no problems. However, just recently I ordered a second pair (because I have been so happy with the first) and I ordered an EU45 which has given me just a little more space and toe room. I have yet to run in the EU45.

Summary

Soft and breathable with a slipper like comfort, reinforced upper, superb cushioning, excellent grip and a 6mm drop – The La Sportiva Akasha has been revelation.

Irrespective of the terrain, the Akasha is a shoe that you can grab for any run, and they will perform superbly, be that for a short distance trail runs or a long and lengthy mountain run. It’s a shoe that would be ideal for say UTMB or similar. Feet feel fresh for mile-after-mile in the Akasha and when running back-to-back days, I got no sore points or aches.

It’s rare that a shoe can feel so good on any terrain and yes, they may tip the scales a little heavier than some of the competition but the ride and comfort more than justifies this.

The outsole, like the upper is bombproof and offers excellent grip on trail and rock and while not recommended, it ticks along on the road with no discomfort.

There are several shoes that I go to daily, the Hoka Torrent 2 being one that I can pick up and run on pretty much any terrain and for any length of time. The Akasha has now replaced the Torrent 2 as my daily ‘go-to’ and should I travel and only be able to take one pair of shoes, the Akasha would be the choice. The adidas Speed Ultra is still up there as one of my ‘shoes of 2021’ and for faster runs on more groomed trail, the Speed Ultra would win out. The Akasha will take some beating as a ‘grab and go’ shoe though and it’s rare to find one shoe that does so much so well and in a package that will last and last.

La Sportiva have long and respected heritage in the footwear world in particular with the mountains. This heritage is apparent in the Akasha where they have made attention to detail a priority along with comfort and durability. They have avoided compromise with a little extra weight.

Key Stats

Uppers:

Breathable Air Mesh + PU leather at the rear and Dynamic ProTechTion at the toe.

Lining:

Mesh non slip.

Midsole:

Injected EVA and Cushion Platform.

Footbed:

Ortholite Mountain Running.

Sole:

FriXion XT dual density with Trail Rocker system.

Cushioning:

31/25mm

Drop:

6mm

View Details

We announced earlier this week that the Lanzarote Multi-Day Training Camp 2023 would have two ’Special Guests’ and this has resulted in a surge of entries for 2023.

Rachid El Morabity the 8x MDS champion will join us Friday to Monday for run sessions and a 2-hour talk/ workshop on MDS, Multi-Day running and ‘What goes in the pack?’ of a champion.
‘Dead Man Running,’

Kevin Webber will join us for the whole week looking after a walking group and providing a 2-hour talk and workshop telling his incredible story of his Prostrate Cancer diagnosis and how he has embraced running and adventure to not only inspire others but to raise money for charity and raise the bar of what is possible as a human.

RECENT NEWS

It has been great to confirm Tom Evans will once again join us. Tom guided on the 2018 Training Camp after placing 3rd at the 2017 Marathon des Sables. It was the start of an incredible story that has resulted in victory at CCC, Tarawera Ultra, and a 3rd place at the iconic, Western States 100-mile race in the USA.

Rab athlete Abelone Lyng should have joined the camp in 2022 but unfortunately had to withdraw late in 2021 due to the pandemic situation and her role in the medical profession. We are pleased to confirm that Abelone will join us for 2023. Abelone has won the Ice Ultra and placed 4th at The Coastal Challenge. An adventurer, ultra, trail and mountain runner, Abelone is a specialist fastpacker who loves to travel solo or with friends.

Pierre Meslet, a physiotherapist, placed 9th at the 2021 Marathon des Sables and joined us in Lanzarote Jan 2022. Pierre provided excellent guiding, a superb talk and the added bonus of offering the 2022 attendees with the option of treatment. A huge success, Pierre returns in 2023.

LATEST INFO
Currently, we only have 4-apartments remaining for 2023 which will sold on a first come, first served basis. If you’d like to join us, don’t wait too long…

Latest deal (2 available) – We do have the option to add 3 adults in a 1-Bed apartment (2 single beds and 1 sofa bed) at the price of £875 pp making a saving of £170 pp on the normal ’shared’ occupancy price. Please email if this is an option you are interested in.

WEBSITE HERE

BOOKING FORM HERE

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View Details

Tom Evans burst on the ultra running scene when he placed 3rd at the iconic Marathon des Sables in 2017. An unknown runner, what followed was a meteoric rise in the sport.

Tom joined me at our Lanzarote Multi-Day Training Camp in 2018 and his presence was a great success. I knew then, one day that we’d have him back…!

Tom doing volcano hill reps, Lanzarote 2018. January 2023 and Tom returns to Lanzarote amongst a stellar line-up that included 8x Marathon des Sables champion, Rachid El Morabity and the amazing and inspirational, ‘Dead Man Running,’ Kevin Webber.

MDS opened the door for Tom. He followed up with a win and course record at The Coastal Challenge in Costa Rica.

A 3rd place at the IAU World Trail Championships, a foray in the world of skyrunning and suddenly top was on the start line of the CCC, one of the key races of UTMB week. Running a perfect race, Tom closed on the lead in the latter stages of the race, forged ahead and won the biggest race of his life. A sponsorship deal with adidas Terrex followed and the dream of Western States started to fall in to place.

Western States, the iconic 100-miler in the USA is a ‘bucket list’ dream for any trail and mountain runner. For Tom, it would be his first time racing such a long distance in one day. Taking a unique training approach, Tom moved to Ethiopia to prepare. Race day was a dream scenario with a podium finish and a time that dipped under 15-hours.

Victory at Tarawera Ultra in New Zealand at the start of 2020, whet the appetite for what was to come.

A certain pandemic got in the way of racing plans and Tom decided to have surgery to fix a persistent injury problem. 2021 was very much a year of rehabilitation gaining strength and fitness.

With the arrival of 2022, Tom is back and it is now a great pleasure to confirm his attendance at the 2023 Lanzarote Multi-Day Training Camp.

With some new routes, new talks and workshops, new guests, the 2023 Multi-Day Training Camp will take what is already a special and unique formula and take it up several notches.

Booking form HERE

Information HERE

Follow on:

Instagram – @iancorlessphotography

Twitter – @talkultra

facebook.com/iancorlessphotography

Web – www.iancorless.com

Web – www.iancorlessphotography.com

Image sales –www.iancorless.photoshelter.com

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