Race Debrief: Marathon Des Sables

The Marathon des Sables (MDS) is an event that transcends the limits of physical endurance and mental fortitude. It’s often dubbed “the toughest foot race on Earth” for a reason. Covering over 250 kilometers across the scorching Sahara Desert, participants must carry everything they need—food, gear, and survival essentials—on their backs. It’s a journey into the unknown, a test of human resilience, and an experience money can’t buy.

Here’s my debrief on the experience: the lessons learned, the challenges faced, and why it was one of the hardest, yet most rewarding, undertakings of my life.

From the moment we landed in Morocco, the magnitude of what lay ahead began to sink in. As the coach rolled toward the start line, we were handed what would become our bible: the race manual. This small booklet outlined the route, checkpoints, and bearings—a detailed survival guide for what was to come. But paper doesn’t capture the brutality of reality.

This year’s course was a beast. Day 1 was the longest opening stage in MDS history, while Day 4 featured the second-longest single stage the race has ever seen: a grueling 90 kilometers. To make matters worse, we faced a Saharan heatwave, pushing temperatures to 50°C or more. By the end of the week, this MDS edition had recorded one of the highest dropout rates ever.

The message was clear from the start: there’s no room for ego here.
You don’t conquer the desert; you survive it.

Despite months of meticulous preparation, the desert had other plans. The first day was 36 kilometers of unrelenting terrain and oppressive heat. Imagine carrying over 25 pounds of gear while climbing steep inclines, with temperatures soaring above 40°C. By the end of the day, I was physically wrecked and mentally drained.

Sitting in the bivouac that night, I felt doubt creep in. Could I endure this day after day, with distances getting longer and conditions worsening? The answer came not from within but from the camaraderie around me. Sitting with my tentmates, all tough, seasoned men, and hearing them voice the same fears gave me a sense of shared struggle and solidarity. That connection became one of the most powerful motivators throughout the race.

From Day 1, I had to recalibrate. The mission was no longer about securing a position or chasing an arbitrary time. It was about learning, adapting, and surviving. Every decision became a calculation: when to push, when to pull back, and how to manage the uncontrollable variables—the heat, the sand, the exhaustion.

By Day 4, this mindset was put to the ultimate test. The long stage—90 kilometers with a 36-hour cutoff—was a psychological and physical gauntlet. Sleep-deprived, calorie-deprived, and already beaten down from the preceding stages, I had to lean on every ounce of mental grit. Yet, our team (Tent 1078) pulled together, crossing the line in just under 23 hours. It was a moment of immense pride, born from trust in our training, our preparation, and each other.

One of the most profound experiences came during the long stage, trekking through the desert night. With the oppressive heat fading, I found myself alone under a canopy of stars so vivid and expansive it felt surreal. The solitude was striking yet comforting, a reminder of how small we are in the grand scheme of things.

But even in those moments of isolation, the knowledge that others were out there—pushing through the same struggle—kept me going. It wasn’t just my race; it was a shared journey.

Expectations can make or break you. Many participants who dropped out early did so not because their bodies gave out but because their minds couldn’t adjust to the harsh reality. Success required abandoning preconceived goals and focusing on the immediate task. That meant breaking down the race into manageable chunks: just get to the next checkpoint, the next tree, or the next dune.

At its core, the MDS taught me the power of small, consistent actions. When faced with 90 kilometers of sand, heat, and darkness, the sheer scale of the task was paralyzing. But when I focused only on reaching the next five kilometers, it became manageable. The same principle applies in life: breaking down monumental challenges into actionable steps is often the key to progress.

Your body is capable of far more than you think, as long as your mind allows it. On Day 4, I believed I had nothing left to give. Yet, after completing the ultra-marathon, I somehow found the strength to run another marathon on Day 5. This capacity to dig deep, to keep going when logic says stop, is a powerful reminder of our untapped potential.

There’s no space for pretense. Stripped of technology and social façades, we connected on a deeply human level. Sharing food, water, and stories in the bivouac forged bonds stronger than words can express.

That authenticity—free from filters, distractions, or ego—is something I’ll carry with me forever.

The physical toll of MDS is immense. After crossing the final finish line, I succumbed to severe dehydration and illness, spending 36 hours battling nausea and fatigue. Even a week later, my body was still recovering, and I hadn’t resumed running. But I embraced the rest and recovery, knowing it was a small price to pay for what I had achieved.

Looking back, the person who started this journey feels almost unrecognizable. I began as someone ambitious but naïve, unsure of what the desert would demand. I emerged with a profound sense of pride, gratitude, and perspective. This experience wasn’t just about the race; it was about discovering what I’m capable of and how far I can push myself.

The Marathon des Sables isn’t just a race; it’s a microcosm of life. It teaches you to face uncertainty, adapt to change, and find strength in adversity. It reminds you of the importance of human connection and the joy of simplicity. Most importantly, it shows you that the biggest limitations are often the ones you place on yourself.

To anyone reading this, I hope my journey inspires you to take on your own challenges, no matter how daunting they seem. Whether it’s running an ultra-marathon, starting a new business, or simply breaking out of your comfort zone, remember: it’s about taking the first step. Trust yourself, trust your preparation, and keep moving forward.

If you’re curious about the nitty-gritty of life in the camp, the terrain, or the day-to-day grind, check out the full breakdown on The Uncharted Podcast. There, I’ll dive deeper into the stories, the struggles, and the unforgettable moments of the toughest week of my life.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Here’s to embracing the unknown and conquering our limits—one step at a time.