RACE REGULATION 2023

ART. 1: ORGANISATION

The 37th MARATHON DES SABLES is organised by ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION INTERNATIONALE and will take place from 21 April to 1 May 2023 in southern Morocco. This 37th annual event will take place under the aegis of the MOROCCAN MINISTRY OF TOURISM and will bring together around 1 200 French and foreign participants.

ART. 2: DEFINITION OF THE COMPETITION

The 37th MARATHON DES SABLES is a foot race, open to runners and walkers, with several stages, free style, and with food self-sufficiency over a distance of about 250 Km. Each participant must carry his/her own backpack containing food, sleeping gear and other material.

ART. 3: GENERAL CONDITIONS

The 37th MARATHON DES SABLES will be administered according to the general race regulations and their amendments (road book, etc.) as well as to the General Terms and Conditions of Sale, to which all participants agree when they register. The General Terms ans Conditions of Sale may be viewed on the institutional website https://www.marathondessables.com/en and on the registration website https://inscription.marathondessables.com/en

ART. 4: CONDITIONS OF ADMISSION FOR PARTICIPANTS

Anyone meeting the following conditions will be accepted: over 18, any citizenship. Competitors must hold a medical certificate issued by the organisation stating their ability to participate and a resting ECG report.

Teenagers over 16 may participate in the 37th MARATHON DES SABLES subject to prior consent from ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION INTERNATIONALE and written permission from a parent or guardian. They will have to meet the same requirements as adults.

Due to the specific nature of the course of the race (food self-sufficiency, race regulations) no accompanying person will be accepted on the event.

ART. 5: CATEGORIES OF PARTICIPANTS

CATEGORY A: INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPATION

Each male or female participant enters the general classification without distinction of age or degree of professionalism. However, regardless of the general classification, the following classifications are established:

• Female,
• Master M1 (aged 40 to 49),
• Master M2 (aged 50 to 59),
• Master M3 (aged 60 to 69),
• Master M4 (aged 70 to 79),
• Master M5 (from 80).
• Master F1 (aged 40 to 49),
• Master F2 (aged 50 to 59),
• Master F3 (aged 60 to 69),
• Master F4 (aged 70 to 79),
• Master F5 (from 80),

Classification is based on year of birth.

CATEGORY B: TEAM PARTICIPATION

A team is made up of at least three runners. To remain in the race, all three members of the team must complete the race. However, each member is recorded as an individual in the general ranking.

ART. 6: PROGRAM OF THE RACE

21 April: Departure for Morocco*, arrival, transfer bivouac. Distribution of a lunch package and dinner provided by AOI.

22 April: Technical, administrative and medical formalities. Meals provided by AOI.

23 to 28 April: Timed stages with food self-sufficiency.

29 April: Timed, "Solidarity" stage with food self-sufficiency. Bus transfer to hotels and distribution of a lunch package. Dinner at the hotel included in the price (drinks not included).

30 April: Free day. Breakfast and dinner at the hotel. Lunch not included.

1 May: Return to France*. Breakfast at the hotel.

*Competitors not using the Paris flight may have to arrive a day earlier and return a day later depending on flight connections.

ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION Internationale reserves the right to modify:

• the regulations of the 37th MARATHON DES SABLES,
• the aspect of the course (see ART. 21),
• the place, the date and initial destination in case of forces beyond our control: weather, cataclysm, armed conflict, invasion in any form, hail, lock-out, pandemy, epidemic…

ART. 7: TECHNICAL, ADMINISTRATIVE AND MEDICAL VERIFICATIONS

The checks will take place on 22 April 2023.

Participants must present themselves to the race administrators and medical team responsible for carrying out these verifications. He or she must imperatively have fulfilled his or her technical, administrative and medical obligations (see ART. 24, 25, 27 & 28) before departure. At the control point, an exact list of each participant's equipment must be established (i.e., compulsory items, personal belongings, food and caloric value, etc.). The race stewards are authorized at any time to check and supervise the participants' backpacks. Individual items of the participant's equipment as referred to in the above list is strictly personal. Any items missing from the list, whether thrown away, lost or stolen, shall be penalized. All competitors are responsible for their own equipment and they must therefore inform the organization of any missing item, failing which penalties could be levied (see ART. 27 and 28). Any found objects that remain unclaimed after 24 hours shall be disposed of, except for telephones, cameras and batteries. Each competitor is responsible for his/her own equipment.

During the race, none of the items in your backpack will be looked after by the organization.

ART. 8: IDENTIFICATION MARKS RESERVED BY THE ORGANIZATION

During the administrative and technical registration, the organisation will provide each participant with::

• 2 breast plates bearing a number, approx. 18 cm x 16 cm
  • one above the navel
  • one for the back, to be attached to the backpack,
• a distress beacon SPOT
• ChronoTag (3)

These ID marks must be worn by the participants throughout the race and positioned according to the organisation's indications, failing which penalties will be issued. The race stewards may carry out checks at any time. It is formally forbidden to cover the organisation's race numbers with any other lettering. Each participant must ensure his/her ID marking is clear, entirely visible, in good condition and in the proper place, under pain of penalty (see ART. 27 and 28). The organisation will provide competitors with spare tags in case of damage or loss. The distress beacon must be handed in at the end of the race. The loss of the distress beacon will incur a fine of 100 euro (see ART. 27 and 28)

Each participant agrees to adhere strictly to this rule, subject to serious penalty in the case of violation (see ART. 27 and 28)

ART. 9: SPACE RESERVED FOR INDIVIDUAL SPONSORS

In addition to official ID markings, participants may use other available clothing space for individual sponsors e.g. T-shirts (apart from the chest area exclusively reserved for race number) shorts, socks, caps, backpacks, etc.

However, the organisation reserves the right to prohibit sponsorship considered to be oversized or in direct competition with the organisation's partners or for any other reasons and which the organisation does not have to justify.The race organisers will be very strict about where your ID is placed. Therefore, think carefully about where to position your advertising and publicity on your tee-shirts and backpacks.

ART. 10: STAGE START

Stage starts are grouped, except for:

• the "non-stop" stage, where the leaders of the general and women's classifications will start around 3 hours after the 1st start.

• the "marathon" stage, where the last on the list will be the first to leave.

Each competitor must attend a briefing session with the race Director before the stage starts.

Participants must imperatively start at the time indicated by the organization, subject to penalties (see ART. 28).

ART. 11: LIAISON STAGES

Stage to be covered in a maximum authorized time of 10 hours. The marathon stage must take a maximum of 12 hours.

CP closing times are indicated in the road book. Anyone who has not reached a checkpoint before the deadline will be disqualified (see ART. 27 & 28). The Charity Stage is obligatory and counts as part of MDS. Any competitor who does not participate or gives up this stage will be disqualified from MDS. Any penalties received shall be included in the general race ranking. A finisher medal is awarded at the end of this stage.

ART. 12: NON-STOP STAGE

Approx. 80 km stage to be held partly during the night and within a maximum authorized time of 32 hours.

CP closing times are indicated in the road book. Anyone who has not reached a checkpoint before the deadline will be disqualified (see ART. 27 & 28). From CP4 onwards, competitors may set up bivouac where they like as long as they are on the route axis and clearly visible. Participants will be informed of the latest departure time from CP4.

Headlamp turned on from 7 pm.

ART. 13: CHECK POINTS

The water distribution point at the finish line of each day's stage is compulsory check point.

Check points are located throughout the course of each stage of the race. There are two to six check points depending on the length of the race and each competitor must go through them, if not penalties will be applied (see Art 27 and 28). This allows the race officials to record times and distribute water (see ART.16).

Medical assistance will be available at each check-point.

The closing times for each checkpoint will be indicated in the road book.

ART. 14: AT EACH ARRIVAL POST/BIVOUAC

An official time-keeper will take down the daily order of arrival for each competitor.

Obligatory checkpoints: water distribution and card punching.

The bivouacs will be pitched each day on previously chosen sites transformed into camping grounds for the competitors; Numbered, 8-man tents attributed by country of residence. Failure to adhere to these numbers will incur a penalty (see Art. 27 and 28) Competitors may use their free time to prepare for the night and get medical care, if necessary.

ART. 15: RANKING

Each competitor's time is recorded in hours, minutes and seconds.

CATEGORY A: INDIVIDUAL

The daily race ranking is calculated by adding the time taken to run that stage of the race plus penalties, if applicable.

CATEGORY B: TEAM

Each team's time will correspond to the average time taken by its members, including penalties.

CATEGORIES A and B:

General ranking is calculated by adding together times for each stage of the race. Any claims must be made in writing at the race and handed over to the ranking marshals (see Art. 27).

ART. 16: WATER SUPPLY

The organization takes charge of supplying water to each competitor.

Water is typically distributed as follows.

Stages 1, 2 and 3:

• 1.5 or 3 liters at check points 1, 2 (and 3 if check point 3)
• 6.5 liters at arrival post.

Stage 4 (non-stop):

• 1.5 o 3 liters at check points 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7
• 5 liters at arrival post,
• 6.5 liters at the bivouac (Day 2).

Stage 5 (Marathon):

• 1.5 o 3 liters at check points 1, 2 and 3
• 6.5 liters at arrival post.

At the end of the stage, each competitor is given 6.5 liters of water.

Be aware that the next water supply will be on the first CP of the next day's stage

Distribution times will be posted up on the bivouac the night before (see Art. 13, 27 and 28). Each participant must manage his/her daily water intake as and when water is distributed and cannot obtain further supplies at any other time.

Penalties will be given to competitors who abandon empty water containers along the route. Facilities for handing in empty containers will be available at check points (see ART. 27 and 28).

Never leave without water. Should you get lost in the desert, water reserves could be vital.

ART. 17: MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

A specially chosen medical team, specializing in sports and tropical medicine will be present throughout the race with the use of assistance vehicles. It will be posted at check points and at the finish line each day and will ensure that any participants who are suffering from physical or mental exhaustion are brought back to the base camp. The medical team is allowed to remove ID plates and to eliminate any participant they feel physically unfit to continue the race and/or having received vital medical care. (See ART.27 and 28).

ART. 18: DROPPING OUT/ELIMINATION

In no circumstances (and at the risk of having to pay the search costs involved) must any competitor leave the race without informing the organization and signing an official discharge provided by AOI. If a competitor abandons the race, he/she must notify the organization as soon as possible and give his/her identification marks to one of the course stewards.

A team which has more than 3 members and where one member drops out or is disqualified will result in the team receiving a one-hour penalty (see Articles 27 and 28).

In the case of a serious physical condition, repatriation may be arranged immediately.

If the competitor's physical condition is satisfactory, he or she shall be taken to Ouarzazate within 48 hours maximum, after signing an official disclaimer supplied by AOI. While awaiting transferral to Ouarzazate, the competitor shall automatically be taken care of and must hand over his or her food to the organization.

In Ouarzazate, the organization will give the competitor his or her personal bag and provide assistance to reserve a hotel if necessary. Accommodation and food shall be paid for by the competitor.

A doctor will be available for consultations and referral to hospital or a nurse for treatment.

ART. 19: GROUND ASSISTANCE

The organisation reminds all participants that the 37th MARATHON DES SABLES is a race through the Sahara where climatic and ground conditions can be extreme. Any outside assistance is strictly prohibited. Replenishment during the race shall incur a minimum penalty of 3 hours and possibly exclusion. If a competitor goes far off the race route, necessitating a lengthy search, he or she will be excluded from the race and pay a € 200 fine (see ART. 27 and 28).

ART. 20: INSURANCE

An insurance policy covering medical evacuation is arranged by the organization for all entrants.

The policy covers the following:

GUARANTEE TABLE

* by 1st class train or economy class airliner

All competitors take part in the full knowledge of the risks that may be incurred in this kind of competition. Since competitors participate of their own free will, the organization is not responsible for any incident or accident.

In accordance with the 1984 law on sport, the organizer is obliged to advise participants to take out their own accident and death insurance.

ART. 21: WEATHER AND TERRAIN CONDITIONS

Average temperature in April:

• daytime 30° C,
• night time 14° C.

The route (approx. 250 kms) covers a wide variety of terrain. In the event of sand storm lowering visibility to zero, competitors must stop in their tracks and wait for instructions by the organizers.

ART. 22: MARKINGS

The participants in the 37th MARATHON DES SABLES must follow the route as marked by the organisers, failing which penalties may be applied according to the particular stage. For liaison stages, the course will be marked approximately every 500 meters. There are several natural landmarks that will serve as additional points of reference.

Special NON-STOP stage and MARATHON: night marking (reflective tape or light sticks) from CP3 to the finish line.

ART. 23: ROAD BOOK

A road book will be compiled from the survey reconnaissance missions. The exact course will remain secret and will only be revealed at the time of distributing the road books on 22 April. It will include various items of interest on the stages, support, etc.

Competitors shall be penalized they you do not have their road book during the race. (see ART. 28). Each morning a briefing will be held relating to that day's stage by the organisers in French and in English.

ART. 24: COMPULSORY EQUIPMENT FOR PARTICIPANTS

All of the obligatory equipment and personal belongings for each competitor (food, survival equipment and Marathon kit, waist pouch...) should weigh between 6.5 kg and 15 kg. This minimum/maximum weight does not include your daily water supply.

Each participant will have to fulfil the above obligations during the administrative and technical checks in Morocco (see ART. 27 and 28).

Food:

Each entrant must provide his/her own food from 23 to 29 April included.

He/she must select the type of food best suited to his/her personal needs, health, weather conditions, weight and backpack conditions. We remind you that airlines strictly forbid the carrying of gas (for cooking) on board either as hand luggage or otherwise. Each competitor must have 14 000 k/calories, that is to say a minimum of 2,000 k/calories per day, otherwise he/she will be penalised (see ART. 27 and 28). Any food out of its original packaging must be equipped, legibly, of the nutrition label shown on the product concerned. Any food out its original packaging must be equipped, legibly, of the nutrition label shown on the product concerned.

To be noted that the 2,000 k/calories requested on the day of the charity event is a mandatory relief food portion.

Gas stoves are strictly forbidden.

Mandatory equipment:

• a backpack MDS or equivalent
• a sleeping bag,
• a head torch and a complete set of spare batteries or spare batteries with external/solar charger,
• 10 safety pins,
• a compass, with 1° or 2° precision,
• a lighter,
• a whistle,
• a knife with metal blade,
• a tropical disinfectant,
• a venom pump,
• a signalling mirror,
• an aluminium survival sheet,
• a tube of sun cream of 50 ml minimum,
• 200 euro or 2,000 dirhams
• the passport or for Moroccan residents, identity card valid at least until the end of the stay in Morocco. BUT for security reasons, it is strongly recommended to have a passport valid at least one month later; failing this, AOI declines any responsibility in case of problem.
• the original medical certificate provided by AOI, filled in and signed by the doctor
• the original ECG and its tracing

Marathon Kit:

It is supplied by the organisation and will include the following:

• a road book issued on 21 April,
• Identification marks (see list ART.8),
• salt tablets,
• sachets for the toilets

This Marathon kit will be issued during the technical and administrative checks in Morocco.

A luminous stick will be issued at CP3 of the non-stop stage. The distress beacon must be given back to the organization at the finish line.

ART. 25: REGISTRATION, ENTRY FEES AND ADMINISTRATIVE OBLIGATIONS

CATEGORY A: INDIVIDUAL - 3,190 euro (Price for resident other than French)

The total cost of the entry fee does not include flights transfers.

This cost is variable, depending on where you enroll (see contact your official representative here)

If the organization is not represented in your country, contact inscription@marathondessables.com

The total cost of the entry fee includes:

• bus transfers,

• catering,

• bivouac,

• hotel accommodation (2 days half board),

• water throughout the race,

• repatriation insurance (see Art. 20)

• technical support,

• medical assistance,

• air and ground support,

• marathon kit,

• medal for “Finishers”,

• tee-shirt,

• certificate for “Finishers” (downloadable 3 months after the race)

• official film of the race (downloadable 3 months after the race)

CATEGORY B: TEAM, per person 3,290 euro (Price for resident other than French)

Competitors who wish to set up an official team to be part of the team ranking system must pay the registration fee plus 100 euro.

The entry fee covers the same services and obligations as for CATEGORY A, and also:

• mention of the team in the press pack,
• the team's official ranking,
• official ranking of each member of the team.

The name of the team and its members must be given at the time of registering

ONLINE APPLICATIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND TEAMS

Given that the total number of participants is limited, the organization will only accept applications by order of registration and depending on places available.

1. PAYMENT SCHEDULE

1.1 UNTIL 15 APRIL 2022:

• 1st Payment of minimum €500 of the registration fee by credit card or bank transfer, cheques accepted only for French residents
• Competitor's general details to fill in online
• On 15 December 2022, the competitor's online administrative record must be complete. The non-receipt of this information will incur penalties (see ART. 27 & 28)

1.2 IF PLACES AVAILABLE UP TO 31 AUGUST 2022:

• 1st Payment of minimum €1,100 of the registration fee by credit card or bank transfer, cheques accepted only for French residents
• Competitor's general details to fill in online
• On 15 December 2022, the competitor's online administrative record must be complete. The non-receipt of this information will incur penalties (see ART. 27 & 28)

1.3 IF PLACES AVAILABLE UP TO 31 OCTOBER 2022:

• 1st Payment of minimum €1,800 of the registration fee by credit card or bank transfer, cheques accepted only for French residents
• Competitor's general details to fill in online
• On 15 December 2022, the competitor's online administrative record must be complete. The non-receipt of this information will incur penalties (see ART. 27 & 28)

1.4 IF PLACES AVAILABLE UP TO 31 DECEMBER 2022:

• 1st Payment of minimum €2,600 of the registration fee by credit card or bank transfer, cheques accepted only for French residents
• The balance must be paid by 15 January 2023.
• Competitor's general details and complete online administrative record. The non-receipt of this information will incur penalties (see ART. 27 & 28)

2. WAITING LIST

If the number of seats for the 2023 edition is reached, the organization will set up a waiting list on the registration site AND will disseminate this information. This will require the competitor to have created an account and made at least one payment. It will not be systematically implemented, this will depend in particular on the closing date of registrations.

Competitors featuring on this list have two possible options:

If a place on the 2023 edition becomes free, his or her participation shall be validated, provided the conditions for definitive registration are complied with (see ART. 25 of the race regulations)

If no places become free on the 2023 edition, the application will be postponed with a priority to MDS 2024 following the conditions of the 2024 edition. Competitors who do not wish to take part in MDS 2024 may cancel their application within a maximum of 3 months after they appear on the waiting list. In this case, AOI will retain 10% of the application fee (dates and tariff published in December 2022).

In order to feature on this waiting list, competitors must:

• Create an account on the online applications page
• Validate and make the first installment: payment by credit card or payment by bank transfer within 8 days.

No other installments shall be due as long as competitors remain on the waiting list.

3. IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING APPLICATIONS

By registering for the event, the competitor acquires the status of "sympathetic member" of the association Solidarité MARATHON DES SABLES (SMDS). His/her financial contribution in support of the association SMDS will be deducted by the MDS from the amount of his/her registration and will be returned to SMDS.

All late payments shall be subject to a surcharge of €150.

All payments should be made to ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION Internationale. For bank transfers, any bank charges shall be at the payer's expense.

The organization reserves the right to refuse a competitor's application without giving any reason.

In case of cancellation, competitors partially or fully registered on the current edition may not be replaced by another individual. Applications are name-specific.

ADMINISTRATIVE FILE

Mandatory documents to transfer to the organisation via the MDS online applications system:

• All information regarding the competitor's identity, contact details, etc.
• photocopy of current valid passport, in .jpeg or .png format. It must be valid at least until the end of the stay in Morocco. BUT for security reasons, it is strongly recommended to have a passport valid at least one month later; failing this, AOI declines all responsibility
• 1 ID photo (3,5 cm wide and 4 cm high) in .jpeg or png format
• In case of long-term treatment for chronic illness, a letter addressed to the Medical Manager, sent by post to:
  AOI - BP 20098 - 10002 TROYES Cedex - FRANCE or by email to inscription@marathondessables.com
• Hotel form.
• Press form.

MEDICAL FILE

The organisation's medical certificate (to download from your online account from 23 March 2023) and the resting electrocardiogram (ECG) report plus graph, dated less than 30 days before the start of the race, i.e. from 24 March 2023, are to be presented during the administrative, technical and medical checks on 22 April 2023. Only the original documents, dated and signed, will be accepted (unvalid photocopy). Failure to present these documents will incur penalties (see ART.27 et 28). The signature and the stamp of the doctor must be applied on them.

The electrocardiogram of effort is advised for runners over 40 years. It is not compulsory and does not replace the ECG at rest and its plan. This can be joined to the medical certificate and presented in Morocco.

HEALTH POLICY

Article 1: Presentation

Recognizing the unique physical and environmental challenges associated with participation in trail-running events, including but not limited to extreme distances, varying weather conditions, altitude extremes, challenging and potentially unstable terrain and potential for limited visibilities or nighttime participation, the purpose of this Health Policy is to protect participant’s health and increase safety during competition.

This Health Policy supports the health monitoring of participants before the competition and protection of the physical health of participants during the competition.

This Health Policy applies to all participants.

Article 2: Rules

As a condition of participation, each participant agrees to:

2.1Provide within the framework in use by the Organization, any medical history and/or listing of medical conditions as well as the use of regular treatments, medications (prescription and non-prescription) or food supplements within 30 days before the start of the competition.

2.2Provide within the framework in use by the Organization all existing information relating to any ongoing anti-doping proceedings or sanctions as well as validated or ongoing Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) files.

2.3Accept within the framework of this Health Policy to answer any meeting request on site or remotely (phone or videoconference) within 30 days before the start of the competition to address medical concerns and up to 15 days after the competition to address any health concerns or health and safety related testing results.

2.4Comply with the prohibited list published annually by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)

2.5As a component of health and safety monitoring, accept within the framework of this Health Policy all urine and/or blood and/or capillary and/or saliva samples within 30 days before the start of the competition and up to 15 days after the competition to ensure compliance with this Health Policy knowing that all samples and analyzes costs remain entirely funded by the Organization.

2.6As a component of health protection and competition safety, the following are not permitted 24 hours prior to start and during competition (except only in the case of a stop a first aid station and a prescription only by the medical team of the competition with supporting evidence) and may be assessed by urine and/or blood and/or capillary and/or saliva samples:

2.6.1 Narcotics including codein, dermorphin (and its analogs), hydrocodone and tramadol.

2.6.2 Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) regardless of the mode of administration (excluding paracetamol/acetaminophen).

2.6.3 Cannabidiols (CBD) for safety reasons.

 2.7 Additional health and safety prohibitions

2.7.1 Within 30 days before the start of the competition and during the competition: Intravenous iron infusion.

2.7.2 Within 7 days before the start of the competition and during the competition:

Intravenous infusion (unless associated with a defined medical intervention and with notice to event and review).

2.7.3 Thyroid synthesis hormones except in case of partial or total removal of the thyroid or hypothyroidism of medical origin.

COMPETITION'S RULES RELATED TO THE HEALTH POLICY

Breach of rules

The participant agrees to accept the decisions or sanctions of the Organization which may range from a simple warning or non-participation before the competition until the downgrade after the competition due to the following breaches:

1.  Proven breach, refusal or transmission of erroneous information in connection with this Health Policy.

2.  Proven breach in connection with the possible use of a substance and/or method not allowed by this Health Policy.

3.  Medical condition incompatible with participation and/or continuation of the competition after verification of health information and/or any other way of investigation.

 The nature of the sanctions remains specific to the MARATHON DES SABLES and must be established on a first breach or not of the rules of the Health Policy, as well as the possible prescription of a substance and/or method not authorised directly by the Medical Director of the competition.

 The ranking of a participant in the “Elite” or “Regular” category is managed freely by the Organization but includes at least the first 10 men and 10 women in the general classification and the first 3 men and 3 women in the classification of each age category.

ART. 26: FORFEITURE CANCELLATIONS

Enrollment cancellations and requests for refunds must be made in writing by registered post in order to avoid any misunderstanding.

Cancellation refunds will be made on the following basis:

• Deposit of 500 euro will be retained for processing fee in the event of cancellation until 30/04/2022.

• 25% of the full enrolment fee will be retained by the organisation in the event of cancellation between 01/05/2022 and 30/09/2022.

• 40% of the full enrolment fee will be retained by the organisation in the event of cancellation between 01/10/2022 and 30/11/2022.

• 60% of the full enrolment fee will be retained by the organisation in the event of cancellation between 01/12/2022 and 15/01/2023.

Beyond 15/01/2023 midnight no request for reimbursement will be honored.

Important: AOI strongly recommends that each competitor take out personal cancellation insurance. It is possible to subscribe a cancellation insurance with our partner ASSURINCO (online sign up, just click here). From the registration confirmation for the MDS 2023 (sent by email once the 1st payment has been validated), the subscription period for insurance is 14 days. This choice remains at the competitor discretion.

ART. 27: MISCONDUCT AND PENALTIES

Administrative process

Any competitor whose information is incomplete in the online applications process on 15/12/2022 will incur a 30-minute penalty (see ART. 28). After 15/01/2023, the application of competitors who have still not provided complete information will be cancelled (see ART.26, ART.28).

Technical and administrative checks

If a participant is more than 30 minutes late for these checks on 22 April he/she will be penalized by the length of time of his/her lateness.

If a participant does not submit proof of having all his/her mandatory equipment, he/she will be penalized or disqualified.

Failure to respect the minimum or maximum weight of equipment will also result in a penalty (see ART. 28).

Medical file

At the medical check-ups in Morocco on 22 April 2023, competitors must present the organisation's medical certificate and his or her resting electrocardiogram with tracing. These 2 documents must be signed and dated at least 30 days before the start of the race, i.e. from 24 March 2023.

If these documents are not completed and signed correctly, they will not be accepted. However, such competitors shall be able to participate after an examination by the organisation's doctors and subject to their approval. Each of these documents can be produced in the bivouac for a fixed fine of 200 euro to be paid in cash on the spot.

A penalty of one hour per missing document shall be applied too (see ART. 28).

List of personal belongings

Competitors abandoning one or several elements of his or her personal equipment should inform a bivouac marshall.

Competitors who cannot justify at any check point the absence of any personal item will be severely penalized (see ART. 28).

Food

14,000 compulsory k/calories. When spot-checks are made, any competitor unable to present and justify the minimum 2,000 k/calories per day during the race will receive a 2 hours penalty (see ART. 28).

ID markings

In the event of loss or damage to ID markings, race officials must be informed immediately, or a penalty will be applied.

Competitors failing to wear their ID marking may risk disqualification from the race (see ART. 8, 9 and 28).

The loss of distress beacon will incur a fine of 100 euro (see ART. 28).

Tampering with ID markings will result in the participant's immediate disqualification (see ART. 28).

Start of race

Competitors who fail to be present at the starting line when each stage begins will be penalized by the time equivalent to the delay. Exceeding 30 minutes, the competitor will be disqualified and his/her ID markings will be handed over to the steward (see ART. 28).

At the non-stop stage, if the start order is not respected, a three-hours penalty will be given.

Check posts/Time-checking

At each stage the finish line, and on the route, time-checking is obligatory at the check posts and is the responsibility of the competitor. The first infraction will result in a one-hour penalty, the second infraction a two-hours penalty and the third time elimination from the race (see ART. 28).

Maximum authorized time

Any competitor who exceeds the maximum authorized time for each stage shall be disqualified and must return his/her bib to the steward. Any competitor who arrives at a CP after the deadline shall be disqualified (see ART. 28).

Distress beacon/Torch/Luminous signal sticks/Bibs number

The following penalties apply during the stages (see ART. 28):

• 1 hour for the use of a distress beacon without a valid reason,
• 30 minutes for a headlamp not turned on after 7 pm,
• 30 minutes for lack of luminous signal sticks after 7 pm.
• 30 minutes for number bibs not visible.

Withdrawal / Elimination

Any participant withdrawing from the race must notify an organisation official as soon as possible.

Withdrawal by one team member in a team of more than 3 members will result in a one-hour penalty for that team, provided of course that at least 3 people remain in the race (see ART. 28).

Doping

Any use of illicit drugs by a participant noted by the medical team will result in the elimination of that person from the race (see ART. 28).

Behaviour

Any inappropriate or harmful behaviour may incur serious penalties (see ART. 28).

Mobile phones must not be used in the bivouac or at the CPs (see ART. 28).

Land and medical assistance

Any form of outside assistance is strictly forbidden.

Fraudulent outside assistance supplying food or drink to a competitor shall incur a penalty ranging from three hours to expulsion from the race. Any long searches brought about by excessive deviation from the route will lead to exclusion from the race and a € 200 fine (see ART. 28).

The use of transportation, either with 2 or 4 wheels will result in elimination from the race.

The receiving of extra water in particular instances (due to lack, loss or leaking bottle), and with the agreement of the race stewards or on the advice of the medical team, will result in a 30 minutes penalty the first time, one hour the second time and disqualification from the race on the third occasion.

Vital medical assistance (i.e. rehydration, plaster cast etc.) will result in a two hours penalty the first time, and elimination from the race on the second occasion.

Water and environment

Any water container found on the race route will incur a penalty (see ART. 28). The throwing away of any food packaging or other items on the race route is strictly forbidden and will be penalized (see ART. 28).

Bivouac

Tents are numbered and attributed by country of residence.

Competitors must, without fail, stay in the tents reserved for them. Failure to adhere to the numbers attributed will incur a penalty (see ART. 28).

Complaints

All complaints from competitors must be addressed to the Race Director in writing:

• During the race, it should be handed over to the head of the competitors' bivouac. Replies issued within 24 hours.
• After the race, on 30 April, at Ouarzazate, to the competitors information point (see road-book)
• After 1 May and until 31 May, to AOI - BP 20098 - 10002 TROYES Cedex - FRANCE. - Email: news@marathondessables.com

ART. 28: SUMMARY TABLE OF PENALTIES

ART. 29: PHOTO COVERAGE

ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION INTERNATIONALE reserves all exclusive rights for photo coverage of the 37th MARATHON DES SABLES. Participants must agree that ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION INTERNATIONALE may have exclusive use their identity and individual or collective pictures for anything related directly or indirectly to their participation in the MARATHON DES SABLES. Any still camera, video or movie coverage done during the MARATHON DES SABLES cannot be used by participants, their entourage or trainers for any use other than personal, unless by prior authorization or accreditation from ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION INTERNATIONALE. As a result, any book or film (short, feature) project must obtain ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION INTERNATIONALE 's prior authorization. Email: news@marathondessables.com

ART. 30: PRIZE LIST