The Early Years
2001Established in 2001, the Sahara Marathon is now 25 years old. From its first edition in Tindouf, it has evolved into a race that reflects the character of its host region in Algeria.
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Course & Elevation
The Sahara Marathon takes runners through the iconic red sand dunes and rocky plateaus of southwestern Algeria near the Mauritanian border. The course features a mix of maintained paved roads and packed sand tracks, offering stunning desert vistas with minimal infrastructure. Runners experience the raw beauty of the Sahara with sparse vegetation and dramatic landscape changes throughout the route.
Surface: road Profile: Rolling
Weather
Temperature 18°C
Humidity 35%
Rain Chance 5%
February in Tindouf brings cool desert mornings warming to pleasant afternoons with very low precipitation. Clear skies and minimal cloud cover are typical, though strong winds can occur unexpectedly.
The Race
Tindouf
Race Lore
Running on Empty
The Sahara Marathon takes place in one of the most extreme environments in endurance sport. The desert landscape strips away everything except the essentials: one foot in front of the other, hydration discipline, and the stubborn refusal to stop. It's not just a race — it's a reckoning.
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Registration
Registration Opens November
Registration Closes January
Entry Cost DA 5,000-7,000
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Fun Facts
- ▸ Tindouf is one of Africa's most remote marathon locations, situated in the heart of the Sahara with minimal development
- ▸ The race supports local Sahrawi refugee camps through charity fundraising, making it a cause-driven event
- ▸ Runners often experience temperature swings of 20°C between sunrise and midday, requiring careful layering
- ▸ The marathon is occasionally affected by harmattan winds that can reduce visibility and increase perceived difficulty significantly
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