26th Sultan Marathon des Sables

The Marathon des Sables (MDS) (Marathon of the Sands) is a six-day, 254 km (156 mile) ultramarathon, which is the equivalent to six regular marathons. The longest single stage (2009) is 91 km (55 miles) long.

This multiday race is held every year in the southern Moroccan desert, normally taking place at the end of March / beginning of April.

1. Competitors cross the erg Znaigui during the second stage of the 26th edition of the Marathon des Sables, on April 4, 2011, about 300 kilometers south of Ouarzazate in Morocco. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

2. Competitors cross the dunes of Merzouga, the hightest in Morocco during the 26th edition of the Marathon des Sables (The Desert Marathon) on April 3, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

3. Competitors cross the dunes of Merzouga, the hightest of Morocco , about 300 kilometers south of Ouarzazate, during the 26th edition of the Marathon des Sables on April 3, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

4. Competitors take off on the 26th edition of the Marathon des Sables (The Desert Marathon), on April 3, 2011, in Dar Kaoua, about 300 kms south of Ouarzazate. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

5. A competitor walks in a sandy and rocky valley near Mouchanne, on April 6, 2011, during the 82-kilometer stage consisting of two days and one night during the 26th edition of the "Marathon des Sables." AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

6. Competitors walk in a sandy and rocky passage near Mouchanne, on April 6, 2011 during the Marathon des Sables (Sand Marathon). AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

7. Competitors cross the oasis of Jdaid during the third stage of the 26th edition of the Marathon des Sables (Sand Marathon) on April 5, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

8. A competitor climbs a stony steep-sided gorge in jebel Foum Al Hopaht during the third stage of the 26th edition of the "Marathon des Sables." AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

9. Competitors cross a palm grove of Jdaid during the third stage of the of the Marathon des Sables, (Sand Marathon) on April 5, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

10. Jordanian Salameh Al Aqra from Amman (L) and Moroccan Mohamad Ahansal, four-time winner of the Marathon des Sables, cross the grove of Jdaid during the third stage of the 26th edition of the Marathon des Sables. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

11. Competitors cross the palm grove of Jdaid during the third stage of the 26th edition of the Marathon des Sables. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

12. A competitor crosses rocky terrain to summit a steep-sided gorge in Jebel Foum Al Hopaht, during the third stage of the 26th edition of the Marathon des Sables. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy
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13. Competitors walk in front of villagers toward a pass of djebel El Abeth during the third stage of the 26th edition of the Marathon des Sables (Sand Marathon) on April 5, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

14. Competitors cross the palm grove of Jdaid during the third stage of the 26th edition of the Marathon des Sables (Sand Marathon) on April 5, 2011, about 300 kilometers south of Ouarzazate in Morocco. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

15. Competitors cross the erg Znaigui during the second stage of the 26rd edition of the Marathon des Sables on April 4, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

16. Competitors run fron the windy erg Znaigui during the second stage of the 26rd edition of the Marathon des Sables on April 4, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

17. A competitor crosses the erg Znaigui during the second stage of the 26rd edition of the Marathon des Sables on April 4, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

18. Competitors cross the erg Znaigui during the second stage of the 26rd edition of the Marathon des Sables on April 4, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

19. Competitors cross the erg Znaigui during the second stage of the 26rd edition of the Marathon des Sables on April 4, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

20. Competitors cross the erg Znaigui during the second stage of the 26rd edition of the Marathon des Sables on April 4, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

21. Competitors wait for medical care, especially for their feet, on April 7, 2011, at the end of the 82-kilometer stage comprised of two days and one night of the 26th edition of the Marathon des Sables (Sand Marathon). AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

22. Competitors have their feet treated on April 7, 2011, in a bivouac at the end of the 82-kilometer stage during the 26th edition of the Marathon des Sables (Sand Marathon) about 300 kilometers south of Ouarzazate, in Morocco. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

23. Bikers resting under a tree watch competitors walking in the valley of oued Rheris, on April 6, 2011, during the 82-kilometer stage of the 26th edition of the Marathon des Sables (Sand Marathon) about 300 kilometers south of Ouarzazate, in Morocco. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy