Half Marathon Des Sables HMDS Morocco

HMDS MOROCCO

IN THE HEART OF THE SAHARA

October 14 - October 21, 2023

THE CONCEPT

THE CONCEPT

Discover the mythical Sahara desert, following the tracks of the Marathon Des Sables.

On the program of the HMDS Morocco: 3 sublime stages which will transport you in the most beautiful places of the Moroccan Sahara. A total of 70, 100 or 120 kilometers, to be covered at your own pace, walking or running.

You will sleep 4 nights in the heart of the Sahara, on the HMDS bivouac, as well as 3 nights in a hotel located in the Province of Ouarzazate (1 night before, 2 nights after the race).

You will also discover the Ksar Aït-Ben-Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Discover the film of HMDS Morocco 2022

Distances

Distances

You can choose 3 different distances: 70, 100 or 120km, divided into 3 stages.

Here is the breakdown:

  • Stage 1: 25km
  • Stage 2: around 20, 40 or 60km
  • Stage 3: 25km

The stages of the HMDS can be completed at your own pace: walking or running.

 

More info on the distances and format here.

ON THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE MARATHON DES SABLES

The program of the adventure

HMDS Morocco 2023 program

On the footsteps of the MARATHON DES SABLES

On the footsteps of the MARATHON DES SABLES

The HMDS Morocco is an amazing opportunity to discover the Sahara from the inside, playground of the legendary MARATHON DES SABLES.

With a total of 36 editions, the MDS fascinates many adventure and long-distance lovers.

The HMDS Morocco, it’s 70, 100 or 120km in exceptional landscapes, a total immersion in the Sahara desert, meetings and emotion, for an unforgettable adventure.

And, for those who, one day, plan to embark on the MARATHON DES SABLES adventure, it is also the perfect opportunity to train and test yourself in real conditions.

The offers

What is included in the offer:

  • Transfers between Marrakech airport, the hotel and the desert
  • 3 nights in a double or triple room in a hotel in the region of Ouarzazate at the edge of the Sahara (1 before the race, 2 after)
  • Bib for the adventure
  • 4 nights on the HMDS bivouac, in an individual tent
  • Medal and finisher t-shirt
  • Discovery of the Ksar of Aït-ben-Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Gala dinner

It will be possible to book extra nights to arrive a day earlier, or stay 2 days longer in Ouarzazate. 

You will share your room at the hotel with one or two other participants. Once you have registered, you will have the opportunity to fill in the name of the person(s) you wish to share the hotel with. 

If you do not fill in anything, you will be randomly assigned with one or two other participants who speak the same language as you. 

The rooms are not mixed, unless otherwise requested.

The HMDS Morocco offer

Offer including the bib for the HMDS adventure, 4 nights in the bivouac and 3 nights in a hotel in double or triple room.

 

1 950€/person

The companion offer

Offer including 4 nights in the desert and 3 nights in a hotel in double room + the discovery of the Sahara desert for the companion.

900€/person

The companion offer

The companion offer

The companion offer allows you to live the HMDS Morocco adventure with friends and family who are not racing.

The companions will be with you the night before the start of the HMDS.

They will be able to attend the start of the first stage, support you every day on different points of the course, and attend the finish of the last stage.

They will experience the desert from the inside with 4 nights in a hostel in the Sahara and discover the most beautiful places. After the race, you will meet them again to spend the end of the journey together: discovery of the Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou and 2 nights in a hotel in Ouarzazate.

THE ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME

Join the adventure serenely

The organisation of the HMDS does its best to ensure that the event takes place in the best conditions, and that participants who register don’t take any risk with adjusted cancellation and postponement conditions.

Free postponement

In case of doubt as the adventure approaches, you can postpone your participation free of charge to the next edition, up to 60 days before departure.

Cancellation conditions

Our registration conditions allow you to cancel free of charge until May 15, 2023.

Cancellation insurance

In case of cancellation of the event by the organization, you will be refunded 100% of the amount you paid within 60 days.

Details of cancellation and postponement conditions are available in the HMDS Marocco 2023 Regulations and Terms of Sales

DISCOVER THE ADVENTURE

INFOS MOROCCO 2023

HOW TO GET THERE?

There are 2 options to reach us at HMDS Morocco: Marrakech or Ouarzazate. Indeed, you can choose to arrive to the airport of Marrakech, hosting many flights at affordable prices from all over Europe, located at 5 to 6 hours transfer from Ouarzazate. On the other hand, you can directly arrive to the airport of Ouarzazate, the city where the participants are sleeping before and after the adventure.

To simplify the arrival of everyone, we offer you the possibility to arrive at the airport that suits you best. You must arrive on Saturday, October 14th, before 1pm.

If you arrive at Marrakech airport: transfers to Ouarzazate will be organized on Saturday, October 14 (5-6 hours drive).

If you arrive at the airport of Ouarzazate: The hotels are located less than 10 minutes away by cab, you will have to go there by your own means. The participants will be accommodated in different hotels according to the groups and nationalities. They will be informed a few weeks before the start in which hotel they will be staying. All hotels are located 5 minutes walk away from each other.

WHICH FLIGHTS TO CHOOSE?

If you arrive and leave from Marrakech:

  • Outbound: You can arrive until 1:00pm on October 14, the time of departure of the last buses that make the transfers.
  • Outbound transfers to Ouarzazate: transfers will take place throughout the morning and until 1:00 pm from Marrakech.
  • Return: you must choose a return flight after 1:00 pm on October 21, to have enough time to make the transfer from Ouarzazate.
  • Return transfers to Marrakech: the buses that make the return transfer will leave in the morning (the times of departure of the buses will be adapted according to the information provided by the participants.)

If you arrive and leave from Ouarzazate:

  • Outward trip: You can arrive whenever you want on Saturday, October 14 (until quite late).
  • Return trip: You can book your flight at any time on October 21. The hotels are located less than 10 minutes away by cab, you will have to go there by your own means.

You can extend your stay in Morocco by booking an accommodation in Marrakech after Saturday, October 21.

You can also take an extra night or several nights in Ouarzazate (October 13 and/or 21), if you wish to extend your stay.

If you have any doubts about booking your flight, don’t hesitate to call us (+33 1 47 05 12 06). 

Find our flight recommendations in our Frequently Asked Questions.

It is necessary to take flight tickets with cancellation and modification insurance, considering the restrictions that may be applied by the countries.

PROGRAM OF THE WEEK 

Saturday: Arrival in Morocco, transfers from Marrakech to the hotel in Ouarzazate, technical/medical checks, night in the hotel.

Sunday: End of the technical/medical checks, transfer to the desert, start of self-sufficiency, first night at the bivouac.

Monday: First stage, night at the bivouac.

Tuesday: Second stage, night at the bivouac.

Wednesday: Rest day, night at the bivouac.

Thursday: Third stage, night at the hotel.

Friday: Day at the hotel, discovery of the Ksar of Aït-ben-Haddou, awards ceremony and gala dinner.

Saturday: Return transfers to the airport of Marrakech, end of the HMDS adventure.

WHAT DO I TAKE WITH ME?

If it’s your first HMDS, you probably have a lot of questions. Once you register, we'll send you a full checklist of the material, but here is the principal to have per person:

  • Backpack plus 2 water bottles (type Ultrabag 20L)
  • T-shirt + running shorts
  • Trail shoes + anti-sand gaiters
  • Cap and sunglasses
  • Change: T-shirt + light shorts / leggings
  • Windbreaker jacket for the evening and morning
  • Sleeping bag + mattress for the night
  • Hygiene products (sun cream, soap, antiseptic...)
  • Toilet paper
  • Food and kitchen utensils (cooking utensils, lighter, fire pellets...)

You can bring a large suitcase with more clothes, which you will leave at the hotel and find after the HMDS adventure.

Find more details by clicking here.

MEALS

A total of 12 meals will be required as follows:

  • Day 2: dinner.
  • Day 3, 4 and 5: breakfast, lunch, dinner.
  • Day 6: breakfast, lunch.

The equivalent to 2000KCAL per day is recommended by the organization.

PRICES

Prices for the HMDS Maroc 2023 are as follows: 

  • HMDS Morocco offer: 1 950€/person 
  • Companion offer: 900€/person

Additional nights: 60€ per night

INCLUDED IN THE OFFER

  • Transfers between the airport, the hotel and the desert
  • 3 nights in a double or triple room in a hotel in the region of Ouarzazate at the edge of the Sahara (1 before the race, 2 after)
  • Bib for the adventure
  • 4 nights on the HMDS bivouac, in an individual tent
  • Medal and finisher t-shirt
  • Discovery of the Ksar of Aït-ben-Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Gala dinner

ULTRA-FLEXIBLE REGISTRATION CONDITIONS

Cancellation conditions:

  • Cancellation is possible without charge until May, 15, 2023.

  • From May 16, 2023 to July 15, 2023 included, 25% of the total amount of the registration will be kept by the organization in case of cancellation. 

  • From July 16 to August 15, 2023 included, 50% of the total amount of the registration will be kept by the organization in case of cancellation. 

  • After August 15, 2023, no refund is possible, however it will still be possible to postpone your registration according to the conditions detailed below.

Postponement conditions:

  • Up to and including August 15, 2023, postponement possible to the next edition free of charge.

  • From August 16, 2023 to September 15, 2023 included: 250€ fee for a postponement. 

  • From September 16, 2023: no postponement possible.

DISTANCES

You can choose between 3 different distances: 70, 100 or 120 km, divided into 3 stages.

These distances are given as an indication and are likely to be adjusted according to the type of terrain and the difference in elevation of the routes.

SAFETY

During the race, you will be surrounded by the medical and organization teams from the beginning to the end of the stages.

The courses are marked with stakes every 50/100m, so it is almost impossible to get lost.

You will all be equipped with a GPS beacon with an alarm button, allowing the organization to locate you at any time.

A medical tent is present at the bivouac where you can go at any time.

PAYMENT TERMS

You can pay by:

  • Credit card
    • 1, 3 or 5 instalments
  • SEPA Credit Transfer in Europe
    • 1 instalment

The number of instalments may vary depending on the date of registration. The registration will be 100% validated once the total amount of the registration is paid.

ABOUT US

The HALF MARATHON DES SABLES is an event that took place for the first time in 2017 in Fuerteventura, and in 2018 in Peru. In 2022, we introduce 2 new destinations: Morocco and Jordan.

The event is organized by WAA.

HMDS in the press

Testimonies from former participants

Equip yourself for the HMDS

WAA Ultra has been developing specialized products for HMDS participants since 2009.

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