Review of Expedition Foods at Marathon Des Sables
We had a quick catch up with Ian Ayling, who took part in the Marathon Des Sables (MdS) 2024.
Ian Ayling (IA): I have to say the Expedition Foods I took worked great and I enjoyed the meals and never felt hungry despite being limited in what I could take due to weight and having to carry everything for the race. My personal favourites were the Chilli Con Carne with Rice, Chicken Tikka with Rice and Sweet and Sour Chicken with Rice, both in terms of taste and how they filled me up, although Beef and Potato Hotpot was also very good.
Expedition Foods (EF): Did you eat your meals hot or cold?
IA: Due to tiredness and also eating out on the course a couple of times, I had some of the meals cold (well, warm, as nothing was cold out there) and it really didn’t detract from the experience. I had read before that some people didn’t take a stove to save weight and your food was absolutely ok for this strategy - just took a bit longer to be ready.
EF: Could you share some tips for future ultramarathoners?
IA: One lesson I have from the race that it is as much about personal management as it is about physical endurance - how you manage your feet (finished without any blisters), energy levels, your hydration, and obviously your nutrition all contribute to the experience. The portion sizes and taste from you guys definitely helped me with this process and would happily endorse and recommend for anyone doing MdS or other multi-day activity.
 2024.
Ian Ayling (IA): I have to say the Expedition Foods I took worked great and I enjoyed the meals and never felt hungry despite being limited in...&media=//expeditionfoods.com/cdn/shop/articles/Desert_Ultramarathon_600x.jpg?v=1719505557){kind=link}
Also in Stories
Bazar’s Gobi March Training: Life, Culture & Preparation — Part 2
As the Gobi March draws closer, we reconnect with Bazar in the mountains of western Mongolia. His training has become more focused, his gear choices more deliberate, and his connection to the land even more central to how he prepares. From long runs at altitude to traditional high‑fat foods and life in a ger, Bazar’s journey shows how endurance is shaped not just by training plans, but by culture, environment, and resilience.
Fuel to Survive and Thrive: Why Survivor Foods 25‑Year Tins Matter
Designed for people who want long‑term security without the need for regular rotation or maintenance.
Meet Bazar: The Mongolian Herder Taking on the Gobi March 2026
Bazar is a young Mongolian herder whose endurance was shaped by a lifetime in the mountains of Khovd. Now, supported by Expedition Foods, he’s preparing to take on the Gobi March 2026, carrying the spirit and strength of Mongolia’s nomadic community into one of the world’s toughest races.