581 International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 2016, 26, 581 -587 © 2016 Human Kinetics, Inc. ORIGINAL RESEARCH McCubbin is with Next Level Nutrition, Melbourne, Australia. Cox is with the Dept. of Sports Nutrition, Australian Institute of Sport, Gold Coast, Australia. Broad is with PerformGreat, Canberra, Australia. Address author correspondence to Alan McCubbin at alan@nextlevelnutrition.com.au. http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2016-0016 Case Study: Nutrition Planning and Intake for Marathon des Sables—A Series of Five Runners Alan J. McCubbin, Gregory R. Cox, and Elizabeth M. Broad This case study describes the nutrition plans, intakes and experiences of fve ultra-marathon runners who completed the Marathon des Sables in 2011 and 2013; age 37 (28–43) y, height 184 (180–190) cm, body mass 77.5 (71–85.5) kg, marathon personal best 3:08 (2:40–3:32). MdS is a 7-day, six-stage ultra-running stage race held in the Sahara Desert (total distance of timed stages 1–5 was 233.2 km in 2011, 223.4 km in 2013). Competitors are required to carry all equipment and food (except water) for the race duration, a minimum of 8,360 kJ/day and total pack weight of 6.5–15 kg. Total food mass carried was 4.2 (3.8–4.7) kg or 0.7 (0.5–1.1) kg/day. Planned energy (13,550 (10,323–18,142) kJ/day), protein (1.3 (0.8–1.8) g/kg/day), and carbohydrate (6.2 (4.3–9.2) g/kg/day) intakes on the fully self-suffcient days were slightly below guideline recommenda- tions, due to the need to balance nutritional needs with food mass to be carried. Energy density was 1,636 (1,475–1,814) kJ/100g. 98.5% of the planned food was consumed. Fluid consumption was ad libitum with no symptoms or medical treatment required for dehydration or hyponatremia. During-stage carbohydrate intake was 42 (20–64) g/hour. Key issues encountered by runners included diffculty consuming foods due to dry mouth, and unpalatability of sweet foods (energy gels, sports drinks) when heated in the sun. Final classifcation of the runners ranged from 11th to 175th of 970 fnishers in 2013, and 132nd of 805 in 2011. The described pattern of intake and macronutrient quantities were positively appraised by the fve runners. Keywords: energy, ultra-endurance, ultra-running Marathon des Sables (MdS) is a multistage ultrama- rathon (MSUM), held since 1986 in the Sahara Desert of Morocco (www.marathondessables.com). The course varies each year, but follows a 7-day format covering 200–250 km. Event rules emphasize self-suffciency, as competitors are required to carry all food and equipment for the entire event. Water rations are provided through- out. Because of the environmental conditions, multiday format and self-suffciency requirements, careful plan- ning is required for a competitor’s nutrition. Despite thirty previous editions, there are only a few studies describing planned and/or actual nutritional intakes during MdS or similar MSUM’s (Toner, Wardle, Mews, & Costa, 2011, Costa et al., 2013a, Costa et al., 2013b). Therefore the purpose of this case study was to describe the nutrition plans, intakes and experiences of fve Australian and Brit- ish ultra-endurance runners who completed MdS in 2011 and 2013. Nutrition plans were completed by the authors, all Australian Accredited Sports Dietitians (two Fellows of Sports Dietitians Australia and one Advanced Sports Dietitian). Plans were completed independently by the authors, with no knowledge of the others’ involvement with competitors until after the event. The Runners Five recreationally active male ultra-marathon runners are included in this case study. Subject characteristics are outlined in Table 1, including past race experience and training history. Although each runner was experienced in competitive endurance events, none had previously completed a self-suffcient MSUM. All subjects provided written permission for this publication. All subjects began preparations at least 9 months before MdS; this included at least four running sessions per week (weekly distance 40–200 km), often carrying a backpack with weight equivalent to that used in the race (refer to Race Information). Race Information MdS is a 7-day, six-stage MSUM. The exact route and distance varies each year, but follows a similar format. Before 2013 there were six competitive stages over 7 days, however since 2013 the competitive (timed, self- suffcient) part of the race concludes after fve stages (Day 6), with a short (<10k m) untimed stage on Day 7. For this case study only days 1–6 are included, allowing