The 24th Marathon des Sables or Marathon of the Sands took place recently. The grueling six-day foot race across the Moroccan Sahara is one of the toughest in the world. The race covers 151 miles but was shortened this year because of bad weather. Many participants give up before reaching the finish line because of the rugged terrain that ranges from sandy to rocky. The daily average temperatures during the race are 86 degrees. Competitors run as far as 50 miles a day and are required to carry their own water and food. Water is rationed and handed out at checkpoints. (13 images)
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A long file of competitors take the start of the 24th Marathon des Sables in the Sahara desert, on March 30, 2009 climbing the first dunes of Merzouga, some 300 kilometres south of Ouarzazate in Morocco, a day late due to heavy rain last week. The first stage was cancelled and the route modified. AFP/Getty Images / Pierre Verdy
A competitor climbs a dune, during the third stage of the 24rd Marathon des Sables in the Sahara desert, some 300 kilometers, south of Ouarzazate, on April 1, 2009. The Desert Marathon is considered as the hardest in the world. Participants have to walk along more than 200 km during 7 days in the Sahara, Southern Morocco. 812 competitors are due to take part in the race. AFP / Getty Images / Pierre Verdy
Competitors are pictured one kilometer after the start on the fourth and last stage, 42 kms long, of the 24rd "Marathon des Sables" in the Sahara desert, some 300 kilometers, south of Ouarzazate. 812 participants had to walk all along 200 Kms during five days. Because of bad weather conditions, the race organisation decided to cancel the first and the last stages and to modify everyday the road book. The Marathon des Sables is considered to be the toughest foot race in the world, covering a distance equivalent to six marathons over normaly six days and half, through the southern Moroccan desert. AFP / Getty Images / Pierre Verdy
Competitors are pictured in the 24th Marathon des Sables in the Sahara desert, on March 30, climbing the first dunes of Merzouga, some 300 kilometers south of Ouarzazate in Morocco, a day late due to heavy rain last week. The first stage was cancelled and the route modified. 812 competitors are due to take part in the race. AFP / Getty Images / Pierre Verdy
A competitor is accompanied by children a few moments after the start of 24th Marathon des Sables in the Sahara desert, on March 30, as he climbs the first dunes of Merzouga, some 300 kilometers south of Ouarzazate in Morocco, a day late due to heavy rain last week. The first stage was cancelled and the route modified. 812 competitors are due to take part in the race. AFP / Getty Images / Pierre Verdy
One of the 812 competitors of the 24rd Marathon des Sables is pictured during the second stage in the Sahara desert, in Erg Znaigi, on March 31, 2009. Competitors must carry all their equipement on their backs. Only a carefully rationed nine litres of water and open-sided local tents are provided daily by the organisers. AFP / Getty Images / Pierre Verdy
A competitor runs during the third stage of the 24rd Marathon des Sables in the Sahara desert, some 300 kilometers, south of Ouarzazate, on April 1, 2009. The Desert Marathon is considered as the hardest in the world. Participants have to walk along more than 200 km during 7 days in the Sahara, Southern Morocco. 812 competitors are due to take part in the race. AFP / Getty Images / Pierre Verdy
British William Davies runs some 20 kms before the finish line, on March 3, 2009, during the fourth stage, 42 kms long, of the 24rd "Marathon des Sables" in the Sahara desert, some 300 kilometers, south of Ouarzazate. 812 participants had to walk all along 200 Kms during 5 days. Because of bad weather conditions, the race organisation decided to cancel the first and the last stages and to modify everyday the road book. The Marathon des Sables is considered to be the toughest foot race in the world, covering a distance equivalent to six marathons over normaly six days and half, through the southern Moroccan desert. AFP / Getty Images / Pierre Verdy
Slovak competitor Anton Vencelj runs down a stony path on 3 march 2009, during the fourth stage, 42 kms long, of the 24rd "Marathon des Sables" in the Sahara desert, some 300 kilometers, south of Ouarzazate. 812 participants had to walk all along 200 Kms during 5 days. Because of bad weather conditions, the race organisation decided to cancel the first and the last stages and to modify everyday the road book. The Marathon des Sables is considered to be the toughest foot race in the world, covering a distance equivalent to six marathons over normaly six days and half, through the southern Moroccan desert. AFP / Getty Images / Pierre Verdy
Competitors react as they start on 3 march 2009, the fourth and last stage, 42 kms long, of the 24rd "Marathon des Sables" in the Sahara desert, some 300 kilometers, south of Ouarzazate. 812 participants had to walk all along 200 Kms during 5 days. Because of bad weather conditions, the race organisation decided to cancel the first and the last stages and to modify everyday the road book. The Marathon des Sables is considered to be the toughest foot race in the world, covering a distance equivalent to six marathons over normaly six days and half, through the southern Moroccan desert. AFP / Getty Images / Pierre Verdy
Some of the 812 competitors of the 24rd Marathon des Sables take the start of the third stage in the Sahara desert, some 300 kilometers, south of Ouarzazate, on April 1, 2009. This is the departure of a tow days and one night 90 Kms stage, in a race of 3 other days of varying length and terrain. Competitors must carry all their equipement on their backs. Only a carefully rationed nine litres of water and open-sided local tents are provided daily by the organisers. AFP / Getty Images / Pierre Verdy
A long file of competitors take the start of the 24th Marathon des Sables in the Sahara desert, on March 30, 2009 climbing the first dunes of Merzouga, some 300 kilometres south of Ouarzazate in Morocco, a day late due to heavy rain last week. The first stage was cancelled and the route modified. AFP / Getty Images / Pierre Verdy
One day before competitors take the start of the 24th Marathon des Sables in the Sahara desert, some 300 kilometres south of Ouarzazate, a French runner waits in the flooded camp, after 24 hours of torrential rain. The race started a day late because of the rain, and the route was modified. AFP / Getty Images / Pierre Verdy
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