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Marathon des Sables 2008

The Marathon des Sables (MDS) (Marathon of the Sands) is a six-day, 254 km (155 mile) ultramarathon, which is the equivalent to six regular marathons. The longest single stage (2008) is 75 km (47 miles) long.

Check in for medical and technical inspection One day to go The last chairs we’ll see for a week Friendly Bedouin Bedouin tents at Erg Chebbi
Erg Chebbi Hotel The suitcases are going to Quarsasate 5.00 a.m. get up and prepare 7.00 a.m.: a small sandstorm Base camp
Base camp in sandstorm Robert Plijnaar (NL) and Mikael Björnsson (SWE) Road book stage No. 1 1st stage of the marathon Erg Chebbi to Erg Znaigui 31,6 km
Another 5 km to go Marathon des Sables campsite Relaxed atmosphere after the 1st stage Start of second day Marathon des Sables 5.00 a.m.: mist hangs over the desert
Marathon des Sables accommodation Start of 2nd stage Marathon des Sables 2nd stage, Erg Znaigui to Qued El JDaid 38 km Marathon des Sables checkpoint 5 minutes to get the sand out of my shoes
Patrick Bauer, racing director of the MDS Spectators appear out of nothingness IMG_0279.jpg Marathon des Sables: not only sand Another 30 km to go
“Jebel†–mountain- at the Marathon des Sables Speed is going down 1.00 p.m. temp: 47ºC 300 metres of climbing Reaching the top of the El Oftal Jebel
Checkpoint on the long stage (75,5 km) Auberge in the desert D’el Maharch after 30 km , still 45 km to go Marathon des Sables 4th stage Spectators from the local village
No worries after 30 km IMG_0286.jpg 18.00 p.m. sunset Time to take a break and eat something 2.00 a.m. arriving at the final checkpoint (75 km)
Sandro (CH), 10 times MDS competitor Marathon des Sables equipment Number of a Dutch competitor Marathon des Sables kitchenware Wood fire faster than meths burner
Campfire Every morning in the camp, Bedouins Spectators Asking for food, water and empty bottles Just before the start of the 5th stage
Anne Marie from Holland 10 minutes to go The Bulldog and me Start of the 5th stage (42 km) Bou Lalhirh Jebel
Noon 40ºC I wonder where she came from Ruins of Aït Kherdi IMG_0309.jpg Slowly returning to civilization
Concert in the desert Paris Opera Orchestra in the desert Residents of tent 65 (4xCH, 1SWE, 1NL) Before the final stage For the last time Patrick Bauer and assistant
6th stage Isk N’brahim to Tazzarine 17,5 km Finish of number 37 in Tazzarine after 250 km Marathon des Sables, I survived After-party with friends from Sweden and South Africa Buses to bring us back to Quarsasate