Known as the "Hell Marathon," the Sahara Desert Marathon is held annually, with the 2013 edition marking its 28th occurrence. Unlike other marathons, participants in the Sahara Desert Marathon trek through the harsh terrains of the Sahara Desert in Morocco, including dunes, hills, and dried-up river valleys, while carrying their own gear. A typical marathon covers a distance of 42 kilometers, but the Sahara Desert Marathon, which began in 1986, spans an incredible 243 kilometers—six times the length of a standard marathon.
