How Rachel's hilarious misadventures led her to finish in the top 3rd at the Marathon des Sables ~ Rachel Thompson

Firstly I’m a middle aged lady who injured herself after running the london marathon in 2023. I was nervous that my injury would recur so from the outset decided to walk/walk run the MDS. I have never done a multistage event before, had never done more than marathon distance, not done a self supported event, I have a pathology dislike of camping. My nutrition was a cause of further anxiety.

I arrived in based camp completely at odds with everyone else, in a flowery cotton dress, practical I thought, breathable, cool non synthetic, lightweight, everyone was in Lyra leggings or shorts, basic running attire and looking like they were ready to take on the hardest footrace on earth. I was on my way to Waitrose and clearly had got on the wrong bus!!

However after numerous compliments about my choice of outfit from sweaty participants and a couple of photos later I felt happier.

I was the second to arrive in our tent and bonded immediately with lovely Rob over the loo situation. He suggested due to high wind and the Velcro already not fit for purpose that I might like to try the loos on the other side of the camp as the Velcro was on the lee side so did not fly open. I shared with him when he bemoaned how difficult it was weeing in a bag, that the bags are easier to use if weighed down with sand and rocks. A conversation that I never thought I would have with a perfect stranger. And that is one of the most incredible things about the MDS, it’s almost as if all inhibitions are left on the bus, everyone shares a common goal, everyone has a story as to why they are there and what it means. Stripped back of all modern conveniences and communication devices, conversation flows, rooted in honesty and a shared suffering. I met people who we having martial problems, work issues, people who were mercenaries, people who had gang affiliation, who had been in jail, who worked for the king, who lived in stately homes, who were recovering alcoholics, who were having a midlife crisis and those who just wanted a challenge. And Lots of rich people trying to look poor!! But all being said, all everyone really cared about was that you finished the stage without injury. They was no judgment if you were the last one back to the tent or the first. Everyone had each others back from start to finish. We, tent 84, went everyday to the finish line to support our tent mates and other participants as they crossed the finished line. It is those moments of camaraderie and genuine support, that will stay with me forever.

The race itself is amazing, Everyday the road book set out what terrain you would encounter on the stage, along with the elevation, which helped mentally prepare you for the day ahead.

The scenery was incredible, we had a lot of very soft sand and lots of dunes, which I loved, partly as a walker it gave me a bit of an advantage, as the runners didn’t run and couldn’t keep pace, but also because you can be slightly strategic on the dunes. By following a slightly less well trodden path it was possible to find harder sand which is easier to move over. Also being alone in a typical Saharan landscape is quite magical.

The wadis (tried river beds) and the jebels (mountains) were beautiful in a different way but I found them the hardest as they are fairly barren and very hot. ( I didn’t notice the heat in the dunes but I was busy enjoying the scenery!)

The check points are well placed, very frequent with as much water as you needed and refreshing ice water that was poured on you neck and head. A blessing in the 45d heat. The staff were amazing so supportive and you really felt they had your back and wanted you to succeed. (I’m thinking of volunteering next year.) Will at the finish line is a legend everyone gets a named shout out and a high five, and his energy is infectious.

The MDS tents….. this was the bit I was dreading. I’m not a camper, hate being dirty, and unwashed. The Berber tent is a thick woven canvas held up by sticks. The weave is quite open, which proved fairly troublesome as every night bar 1 the winds picked up, the sand storms set in and it even rained. The night before stage 4 and the long day numerous tents fell down, the sticks on my side of the tent fell on be and inspent the night be pummelled by the side of the tent. The sand even came through the open weave. But despite the lack of sleep and what was ahead everyone focused on the comedic elements of the night, not the anxiety it caused.

On the course everyone is exhausted and pushing themselves to their max, but there was always room for others to help you and stop for a chat whilst walking, or for you to help someone else, and the that didn’t matter what nationality you were.

One of my favourite MDS memories was going onto the dunes with my two camp besties, after we had finished our days to cheer on the last remaining participants. We were there for hours, chatting, laughing, dancing, cheering, sometimes crying ( others raw emotions always make me well up) and enjoying ourselves helping others.

A multi stage event is more convivial and there’s more geniality between everyone, as opposed to a straight forward marathon or single day ultra which is you against the clock. This is more run- walk-chat- eat- sleep-repeat. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world, I’m delighted I’ve done it, have made life long friends, and would highly recommend it to anyone.

NB I want to add that whilst hugely self depricating Rachel stuck to her guns and walked all but the last day of the Marathon des Sables and she placed 371 inside the top 3rd. If you want to do the MDS and you are not a runner or can't run this doesn't not proclude you from doing it.