Ultra

Marathon des Sables Poster

Billed as the toughest footrace on earth, a self-sufficient six-stage stage race across the Moroccan Sahara.

City
Sahara Desert
Country
Morocco
Distance
250 km / 155.3 mi
Date
April 1, 2026 (approx.)

Each year the Marathon des Sables sends runners across 250 km (155.3 mi) in Sahara Desert, Morocco, usually in April. Make a poster of your finish from your own GPS file below.

Official race website: Marathon des Sables

The Marathon des Sables course

The Marathon des Sables is a self-supported, multi-stage footrace across the Moroccan Sahara, with competitors carrying their own food and gear between bivouacs. Held over six stages in about a week, it covers roughly 250 km of variable desert terrain - hard-packed flats, soft sand dunes, rocky plateaus and dry riverbeds - including a single long stage of 80 km or more. The exact route changes every year, and extreme heat and the weight of the pack define the challenge rather than steep elevation.

Profile
Rolling
First held
1986
Field size
~1,000

Typical race-day conditions: Held in spring (March/April), days are intensely hot in the desert sun while nights can turn cold.

What your Marathon des Sables poster could look like

Style examples with illustrative routes — upload your own GPS file below and your real route & stats replace these.

MARATHON DES
SABLES
Sahara Desert, Morocco
250.00km
22:46:42
5:28/km
313m
18720Cal
Every Step Counts
MARATHON DES
SABLES
Sahara Desert, Morocco
250.00km
22:15:49
5:21/km
408m
18720Cal
Stronger Than Yesterday
MARATHON DES
SABLES
Sahara Desert, Morocco
250.00km
23:24:28
5:37/km
192m
18720Cal
Earned, Not Given

Make your own Marathon des Sables poster

Upload your GPX, TCX, FIT or KML file — your real route & stats become a print-ready poster in seconds. Free, no sign-up.

Create your poster →

Frequently asked questions

What date is the Marathon des Sables held?
The Marathon des Sables is typically held in April — around April 1, 2026 (check the official race site for the confirmed 2026 date).
What distance is the Marathon des Sables?
250 km (155.3 mi) — ultra.
Where is the Marathon des Sables held?
The Marathon des Sables is held in Sahara Desert, Morocco.
Who organises the Marathon des Sables?
The Marathon des Sables is organised by WAA (What An Adventure), whose official website has entry and course details.
Where can I find official Marathon des Sables information?
Dates, entry, and course details are published on the official Marathon des Sables website. After the race, export your GPS file and turn it into a poster here.
How do I make a Marathon des Sables poster?
Upload your GPX, TCX, or FIT file to Route Posters. Your 250 km (155.3 mi) route and stats are instantly turned into a beautiful, print-ready poster — free and no sign-up needed.
How do I get my GPS file for the Marathon des Sables?
After your race, export a GPX, TCX, or FIT file from Strava, Garmin Connect, Apple Fitness, Komoot, Wahoo, Suunto, or your watch app. Look for the "Export" or "Download" option on the activity detail page.