3rd edition with Johnny Ward
Eye of the Sahara Ultra marathon: 160km in 3 days
One of the hardest marathons in the world
160km. Three days. The real Sahara.
The Eye of the Sahara Ultra is back for its 3rd edition: 160km (100 miles) across the Mauritanian Sahara, about 50km a day, finishing in the dunes of Chinguetti.
It’s one of the hardest marathons in the world, but one that anyone can do. Honestly, if you can walk, you can do it. Most people walk ultras. Nobody admits it.
It’s not self-sufficient either: a Berber camp, hot food and a bed wait for you every night. And if you’re a proper psychopath, you can ride the iron ore train afterwards.
Race highlights
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160km in 3 Days
About 50km a day, run or walk
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Eye of the Sahara
Start inside the rings
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Berber Camps
Hot food and a bed every night
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Iron Ore Train
Optional ride after the finish
Race facts
- Dates
- Trip length
- Distance
- 160km over 3 race days
- Fitness
- If you can walk, you can do it
- Support
- Water every 5km, nurse at camp, doctor on call
- Train add-on
- Optional, 2 extra days, to Nov 24
Day by day
The Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Nouakchott
· Hotel, Nouakchott
Arrive in Nouakchott any time. The event is officially recognised by the government, so the visa is on arrival for everyone racing. My team meets you at the airport and drives you to the hotel.
Briefing at 6pm, then a group dinner with all the other maniacs taking part.
Day 2: Road Trip to the Eye
The Eye of the Sahara
Early breakfast, then deep into the Sahara. It’s a 9-hour drive, broken up with tea stops, lunch and photo stops. Things are getting real now, folks.
The road isn’t comfortable, but the transport is: three people per air-conditioned SUV.
Day 3: Preparation Day
Camp, the Eye of the Sahara
Prep day. We wake up and eat, eat, eat, then eat some more.
Gear check, medical check, stretching and downtime. If you’re feeling antsy, there’s an optional afternoon trip to the ancient town of Ouadane.
Day 4: Race Day 1
Berber camp
Sunrise start. Group breakfast from our local chef, pack your snacks and water, and the gun goes off.
50km to cover today, with water at checkpoints every 5km. One foot in front of the other. When you get through it, camp is waiting: hot food, cold water and a bed. Eyes on the prize.
Day 5: Race Day 2
Berber camp
Waking up will be hard. Same breakfast, same sunrise, same starting gun. The legs, however, won’t be the same.
Another 50km, and probably the hardest day of the lot. Tears, blood, whatever it takes. Get through today and by tomorrow night you’ve made it.
Day 6: Finish the Ultra!
Chinguetti
Legends aren’t made through comfort and eight hours’ sleep. You’ll feel like there’s no way you can do another 50km. You can.
Get to the start, then take it metre by metre. The finish line is in the dunes of the ancient city of Chinguetti, along with a hot shower and a cool bedroom. Legendary status incoming.
Day 7: Recovery
Chinguetti
A group of absolute heroes wakes up in Chinguetti. Congrats, you can never be an average person again. Today you rest.
Chinguetti is a sleepy desert outpost with ancient Islamic libraries, and we’ll take you to see them if you fancy some culture. If you’d rather sob in your room all day, knock yourself out.
Day 8: Home, or Onto the Train
· Nouakchott, or the iron ore train
Option 1: we drive back to Nouakchott and you can fly home tonight. You’ve done your punishment. See you on the next one.
Option 2, for actual psychopaths: we drive via Atar to buy train gear, then hitch a ride on the iron ore train around 5pm for about 15 hours through the Saharan night. Shower and celebrations in Nouadhibou, then a 6-hour bus back to Nouakchott on November 24.
Your host and fellow runner
Johnny Ward
Irish guy, been to every country in the world. I’m the first person to complete the Ultimate Explorer’s Grand Slam: every country, the 7 summits and both Poles. I’ve also rowed the Atlantic and run plenty of mad ultras.
I’m not an elite athlete, and that’s the point. I started this race to share what these challenges have given me. I’ll be out there running it with you, so I’m a western guide. Kinda.
I want to create an event where you’ll be the hero of the story.
For legends in the making
Why the Eye of the Sahara?
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Anyone can do it
Most people walk 90% of an ultra. Give yourself 3 months and you can do this. I’ve seen 70-year-olds finish them.
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Start inside the Eye
The Richat Structure: a giant bullseye in the desert, visible from space and rumoured to hide Atlantis. Our camp is slap bang in the middle.
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Then ride the train
Finish the ultra, then hitch a night ride on the longest train in the world. Optional, but you’re here already.
Before you book
Good to Know
Can anyone really do the ultra?
Yes, I promise. Everyone posts photos of themselves running, but 90%+ of the time people are walking. Can you keep walking when you’re in pain? Then you can do it.
Is the race self-sufficient?
No! I hate those. Our Berber team sets up camp every night with hot food and a 2-person tent with camp beds. You only carry a GPS locator, 2 water bottles and that day’s snacks.
What about water, getting lost and medical care?
Water stops every 5km. Ten off-road vehicles patrol the route, which runs as the crow flies, so getting lost is (almost) impossible. A nurse stays at camp each night and a doctor is on call. Your feet will get chewed up. That’s a fact.
How do I train for it?
Don’t overthink it. I can give you a basic training plan for free, or more advanced coaching if you want it. Paralysis by analysis is real.
Is Mauritania safe?
Perfectly safe. People welcome foreigners with open arms, big smiles and offers of tea. Some of the older generation have outdated views on women travelling alone and LGBTQ issues, so everyone’s welcome but we keep partner choices personal.
How about the visa and getting there?
The visa is on arrival at the airport for everyone in the event, no paperwork beforehand. Fly into Nouakchott via Paris, Casablanca, Istanbul or Tunis.
What about refunds?
The deposit is non-refundable and full payment is due 3 months before the trip. After that, no refunds are possible. Travel insurance is mandatory.
Price and what’s included
What’s included
- All transport
- Airport transfer on arrival
- All accommodation for the whole expedition
- Berber camping and dining on race days
- All water on race days
- All meals
- All activities and entrance fees
- Local guides
- A western guide (kinda: I’m running the race too)
- Per-person sharing, solo travellers paired up
- Bragging rights for life
What’s not included
- Snacks and lunches on the 3 race days
- Other race provisions (electrolytes, salt tablets, medication)
- Mauritania visa ($55 at the airport)
- Tips for local guides
- Clothing for the iron ore train (ski goggles etc, packing list provided)
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
Race price
$2,999
8 days. With the iron ore train (10 days): $3,668.
- Ultra only, 8 days, Nov 15–22: $2,999
- Ultra + iron ore train, 10 days, Nov 15–24: $3,668
- $300 non-refundable deposit secures your spot
- Full payment due before September 15, 2026
- Pay by card through WeTravel
Only the 3rd edition
See you at the start line.
Be a legend. Book online in a couple of minutes, or message me with any questions.
Rather pay by bank transfer? Email johnny@onestep4ward.com
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