26th Marathon des Sables, the sand marathon

26th Marathon des Sables, the sand marathon

The Marathon des Sables is considered one of the hardest in the world, with 844 participants having to walk 250 kilometers (150 miles) over seven days in the Moroccan Sahara. The race includes a full marathon on one day, and a 55-mile stage, as well as others of varying length and terrain during seven days. Competitors must carry all their equipment on their backs. Only a carefully rationed nine litres of water and open-sided local tents are provided daily by the organizers. (23 images)

Competitors cross the erg Znaigui during the second stage of the 26th edition of the Marathon des Sables, on April 4, 2011, about 300 kilometers south of Ouarzazate in Morocco. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

Competitors cross the dunes of Merzouga, the hightest in Morocco during the 26th edition of the Marathon des Sables (The Desert Marathon) on April 3, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

Competitors cross the dunes of Merzouga, the hightest of Morocco , about 300 kilometers south of Ouarzazate, during the 26th edition of the Marathon des Sables on April 3, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

Competitors take off on the 26th edition of the Marathon des Sables (The Desert Marathon), on April 3, 2011, in Dar Kaoua, about 300 kms south of Ouarzazate. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

A competitor walks in a sandy and rocky valley near Mouchanne, on April 6, 2011, during the 82-kilometer stage consisting of two days and one night during the 26th edition of the "Marathon des Sables." AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

Competitors walk in a sandy and rocky passage near Mouchanne, on April 6, 2011 during the Marathon des Sables (Sand Marathon). AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

Competitors cross the oasis of Jdaid during the third stage of the 26th edition of the Marathon des Sables (Sand Marathon) on April 5, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

A competitor climbs a stony steep-sided gorge in jebel Foum Al Hopaht during the third stage of the 26th edition of the "Marathon des Sables." AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

Competitors cross a palm grove of Jdaid during the third stage of the of the Marathon des Sables, (Sand Marathon) on April 5, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

Jordanian Salameh Al Aqra from Amman (L) and Moroccan Mohamad Ahansal, four-time winner of the Marathon des Sables, cross the grove of Jdaid during the third stage of the 26th edition of the Marathon des Sables. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

Competitors cross the palm grove of Jdaid during the third stage of the 26th edition of the Marathon des Sables. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

A competitor crosses rocky terrain to summit a steep-sided gorge in Jebel Foum Al Hopaht, during the third stage of the 26th edition of the Marathon des Sables. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

Competitors walk in front of villagers toward a pass of djebel El Abeth during the third stage of the 26th edition of the Marathon des Sables (Sand Marathon) on April 5, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

Competitors cross the palm grove of Jdaid during the third stage of the 26th edition of the Marathon des Sables (Sand Marathon) on April 5, 2011, about 300 kilometers south of Ouarzazate in Morocco. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

Competitors cross the erg Znaigui during the second stage of the 26rd edition of the Marathon des Sables on April 4, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

Competitors run fron the windy erg Znaigui during the second stage of the 26rd edition of the Marathon des Sables on April 4, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

A competitor crosses the erg Znaigui during the second stage of the 26rd edition of the Marathon des Sables on April 4, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

Competitors cross the erg Znaigui during the second stage of the 26rd edition of the Marathon des Sables on April 4, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

Competitors cross the erg Znaigui during the second stage of the 26rd edition of the Marathon des Sables on April 4, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

Competitors cross the erg Znaigui during the second stage of the 26rd edition of the Marathon des Sables on April 4, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

Competitors wait for medical care, especially for their feet, on April 7, 2011, at the end of the 82-kilometer stage comprised of two days and one night of the 26th edition of the Marathon des Sables (Sand Marathon). AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

Competitors have their feet treated on April 7, 2011, in a bivouac at the end of the 82-kilometer stage during the 26th edition of the Marathon des Sables (Sand Marathon) about 300 kilometers south of Ouarzazate, in Morocco. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy

Bikers resting under a tree watch competitors walking in the valley of oued Rheris, on April 6, 2011, during the 82-kilometer stage of the 26th edition of the Marathon des Sables (Sand Marathon) about 300 kilometers south of Ouarzazate, in Morocco. AFP/ Getty Images / Pierre Verdy