Nicola Benetti

The competitors had one thing in mind on waking up this morning: that the infernal windstorm finally stop. Their wish was granted and spirits were high as they embarked on today’s 28km stage….

This could be the most difficult start to MDS ever. The competitors were given a rough ride yesterday and today has proved no different. The problem remains the same: the combination of high hygrometry levels and high temperatures mean some competitors are over-heating ……. On leaving CP2, the runners embarked on a 4-km dune section. Just as they entered, the windstorm began, turning the course into a real calvary.

After a considerable number of retirements, the diminished group of competitors embarked on the 3rd stage with a certain amount of apprehension. The terrain was uneven, and competitors were able to appreciate the very diverse landscapes and colours of the Moroccan Sahara: blue skies and ochre dunes but also green fields of henna and oases. A copious menu featured a long series of ridges and dunes leading up to CP2. CP2 is inaccessible to vehicles and was installed using a helicopter. The winds stayed reasonable during the morning, providing much needed respite for the runners…….The MDS caravan is now anticipating, not without a certain apprehension, tomorrow’s mythic long stage: 72km over 2 days, partly run during the night.

In view of the severe weather conditions which have taken a heavy toll on competitors, the organisation decided to reduce this long stage by 15km. The decision was also made to double the water rations at the first 3 check-points. Note that John Cahill (494) from Ireland was repatriated to the University Hospital of Bordeaux in France after collapsing from hypothermia on stage 3.

24 competitors pulled out during The long stage , far fewer than during the first 3 days. …….

There were surrealist scenes at the last two check-points (open all night) : improbable encounters such as only MDS can provide. Debates about the meaning of life, shared moments of strong emotion, discussions between people with nbo common language…. The night stage brings it all to the fore. Just before midday Annette Herdman (553, GB), aged 56, was the last competitor to cross the finish line after 25 hours and 14 minutes on the course. True to tradition, hundreds of the other runners were there to cheer her in and recognise her achievement. “My kids will kill me, she says, “I really didn’t expect to see all those people. It was an amazing welcome. WORTH BEING LAST FOR ??????»

Spirits were high and the pace fast as 585 competitors set out on the mythic marathon stage. According to race director Patrick Bauer « it should make the experienced marathon runners happy… with 2 x 10km sections on flat plateau where they can really express themselves”.. Competitors attacked the 42.2km at 9h05, having clearly benefited from at least half a day’s rest yesterday: the result of a shortened stage 4 for security reasons…….

The start of the race was nonetheless challenging: runners had to cross a very uneven wadi with tricky passages over crevasses. ……………..

For the first time in its 21 year history the MDS ended at the Merzouga dunes – the highest in Morocco. An amazing decor for this final short stage which began with stretch of flat stoney ground and finished with a 3km crossing of beautiful ochre dunes. The 585 competitors set off at 9h05 with clear skies, pleasant temperatures ( 23°C) and a tail wind.

For three hours race director Patrick Bauer and his stewards place a medal around each finisher’s neck to rounds of applause from the spectators: competitors who pulled out, the organisation, local people and many friends and family members who’d travelled over to welcome and congratulate their loved ones. Some shout, laugh, sing and joke as they cross the line

MDS lives up to its reputation : the most difficult race in the world During the press conference with journalists from al over the world and the champion of this edition Lahcen Ahansal, director Patrick Bauer looked back on this great but very difficult edition. With 731 at the start, from 32 countries, 585 finished the race i.e. 146 pulled out. Bauer explained that this unusually high level was due largely to extreme weather conditions as from day one: high temperatures (up to 42°C), sandstorms and very high hygrometry levels (up to 35%). « Nature took over. YOU realise how small you are compared to the elements. IN these conditions what counts is having good mental and physical preparation.

……..According to the director of the Doc Trotter medical team, a record number of IVs were administered (62). The high hygrometry level was the most unexpected aspect of the race from a medical point of view (more than 20% higher than usual): “regulating the hydration level in your body – whether voluntary or involuntary- is more difficult when the hygrometry level is high. You therefore have to adapt your water intake accordingly – take in small amounts more regularly and more salt – 5g per day. That’s when experience really comes into play… Running is a skill.» The organisation had to deal with a case of severe hyperthermia, a first on MDS. Thanks to good rapid reactivity, despite difficult weather conditions, the competitor was repatriated within time to a hospital in Bordeaux.

According to Patrick Bauer “my greatest sense of satisfaction at the end of this edition is to know that the competitor came through and has no permanent damage.” A difficult year too for the champion Lahcen Ahansal, who’s secured his 9th MDS victory, despite tough competition: « It was harder than usual.. difficult weather conditions …and real competition with Salameh Al Aqra, Maliki Abderrahmane,… Samuel Bonaudo ….I never knew who was behind me and how far behind… it changed every day. But I was ready, my experience came into play… »

« … At the end of the first three days the competitors are exhausted. There’s a record number of retirements : 122 for the first three days [less thanb 50 for the whole course last year]. It’s due to a combination of high temperatures, strong winds and unusually high hygrometry levels (20% compared to the usual 6%). I also think the competitors are less well prepared this year compared to last.