FAQs
For any queries or question you have in relation to the Atlas Challenge please have a read through of our information below. Please get in touch if you have any specific questions – or if you’d like to discuss details of the challenge with one of our team
The Package
The flights will be with one of the ‘low cost carriers’, departing from a London airport. You will need to organise your own travel to and from the airport. The flight details will be published closer to the challenge.
If you are looking to organise your own flights, or perhaps you wish to stay on in Morocco before or after the challenge you can book our ‘Land Only’ package and organise your own flights. It will be your responsibility to meet our team at Marrakech Airport to then join our transfers to the Atlas Basecamp.
Tents at Basecamp will be single occupancy, unloess otherwise requested during registration (cyou can request to share with a friend, partner or family who is doing the challenge with you). The hotel in Marrakech is on a twin share basis, and you can request a named person to share with, or we will match you with a room-mate. If you’re signing up as a couple or with a friend(s) – you can elect to share together when you register (teams will be located close to each other on the campsite). In advance you will be given the opportunity to meet via our Facebook group.
NOTE – You can choose to upgrade to a single hotel room for an additional Single Supplement of £120 (with £50 deposit payable when you sign-up to reserve)
NO – you will need to source your own travel insurance policy which will cover you for the challenge. Appropriate Travel insurance is compulsory and we will require the details of your policy in advance of departure. Please make sure that you declare any medical conditions to your insurance company – as you really would not want to find out that your cover was potentially invalid mid challenge!
You will be required to sign a medical declaration with us (Action Challenge)
Your booking is protected, meaning that if the trip has to be cancelled by us (for example as a result of Covid-19) then you will be given the option of either a refund, or to transfer your place onto the following event.
Action Challenge has full ATOL cover.
NOTE – Taking out appropriate travel insurance at the right time – with curtailment cover is important in case you fall ill. In this instance – as final balances are invoiced 12 weeks prior to departure – you should definitely have it in place at that point in time
British Citizens (and many others) do not need a visa for a visit to Morocco. your passport will be stamped on entry ande exit, so please ensure you have at least 2 blank pages in your passport. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from the date of your shceduled return also. If you are NOT a British passport holder, please check the visa / passport requirements for your passport country.
Fitness & Training
This is a testing challenge – and will be physically & emotionally demanding for some! You will have to combat heat, fatigue and tiring limbs through the challenge!
On top the 2 marathons in 2 days – you’ll also be up against some steep climbs and descents, with some high temperatures to be expected also.
You will need to prepare – and should read the training advice issued. The more comfortable you are with walking / jogging long distances for sustained periods the more comfortable you will be on the challenge. If you opt for being ‘a runner‘ – be realistic about your aims (based on your experience & likely pace).
A training plan will be issued in the Challenge APP to assist in your preparation for the event – and we organise a few training walks to get you fitness levels up.
NOTE – Use your FREE 50km place on a UK Ultra Challenge to prepare prior to departure, with all of summer events taking place before your scheduled departure in September.
The Atlas mountains in September can get warm. At the higher elevations, such as on the second marathon day, temperatures will drop as you reach the high point of 2900m (but not cold enough to warrant technical gear!). Expect daytime temperatures of mid-teens to low twenties centigrade. Being in the mountains, the weather can change quickly, so rain can’t be ruled out and you should also bring waterproofs just in case.
A runner is anyone who plans to finish each day (if on a marathon distance) within 4-6 hours, it is important that you distinguish yourself as either a walker or jogger on the challenge – as runners set off after the walkers, catch them up, and then overtake.
Yes – although as of yet every year we’ve run this challenge each participant has completed each day within the time limit. These will be enforced from the lunch stops onwards on both days. You are expected to walk at a minimum pace of 4km per hour – and therefore complete the first day within about 12 hours, including rest stops & lunch. There will be support vehicles and coaches on hand through the event should anyone need them!
Support
We expect that the Atlas Ultra Challenge will have up to 100 challengers – meaning that on the route you will never be alone, and there will be lots of new people to make friends with! One of the great aspects of this trip is the sense of adventure and camaraderie between challengers and friends for life are made!
Food and drink is fully included in your challenge! Approximately every 11 km there are manned checkpoints and replenishment stops where water, fruits and snacks are provided!
The event catering will be mixed, varied, delicious and plentiful, with calorific intake a priority. Both Western and local foods will be available.
Dietary requirements can be catered for, and you can provide this information 3 months before departure. If you have any severe allergies or requirements, please contact us to discuss before signing up.
The challenge will be supported by UK doctors in case of any emergencies, safety support vehicles should you need to be moved forward or collected along the route. We also have a team of UK podiatrists to help with all tired and weary feet!
Before departure, we recommend you take out travel insurance after registering for your place – and that you taper off any training around 2-3 weeks before the challenge.
The trail will be marked with pink flags / markers where it’s required. You will be required to walk in groups of 3 or more at all times, and we will have guides along the trail who you can walk with if you wish.
- Dining tents & seating areas
- Medical area & podiatrists
- Drinking water at all times
- Hot drinks & refreshments
- Showers, hand washing stations & toilets!
- Charging facilities (for phones – but limited – not laptops etc)
- Event Management team on hand throughout
Yes – each day of 42 km is broken down as per the below schedule (distances can vary slightly):
- 10 km – morning rest stop
- 21 km- lunch stop
- 32 km miles – afternoon rest stop
All rest stops, and the lunch stops are manned by our Event Management Team, and local guides and our Medical teams. There will be shaded seating areas with toilets, hand washing stations – we will also be serving refreshments, water refill and snacks/ or lunch.
Payments & Fundraising
If you’ve chosen the Self Funding option or the Mixed Funding option – you will be invoiced the final (remaining) balance 12 weeks before your trip – and the full balance must be paid to us 10 weeks before the trip.
If you’ve chosen either the Charity Sponsorship target, or the Mixed Fundraising option you will have to raise a minimum of 80% 12 weeks prior to the challenge, with the remaining 20% target due to be with your charity no later than 4 weeks after.
If you are unable to reach these targets, or you are concerned about reaching them we suggest speaking to your charity. Failure to reach your target would mean that you would have to make up the shortfall – or switch to ‘Self Fund’ – or ‘Mixed Funding’ (if applicable & possible).
Any extras (eg single supplements / transfers) will be invoiced to you – 12 weeks prior if you are on the Charity fundraising option.
We have a range of “featured charities”, who we have worked with for many years, and who will happily accept your fundraiser place. You can ‘elect’ any charity to fundraise for how when you register onto the challenge – we will contact your chosen charity and ask if they are happy to accept you as a fundraiser. This is required, since the charity will need to cover some of your trip costs – and we need to confirm they are happy to do so. If so – they will be in touch with you shortly, if not (as some can’t budget for these events) then we will get back in touch with you and let you know so you can choose another charity.