Extreme racers from the 2014 Marathon Des Sables. Photo: Cimbaly/E. Sampers/MDS

[Via Satellite 02-27-2015] The Marathon Des Sables (MDS) Organizing Committee has decided to use Spot Gen3 safety devices from Globalstar Europe Satellite Services for this year’s race, as well as the MDS 2016 and 2017. The multi-stage race takes places in the Sahara desert, where participants may experience temperatures reaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees Celsius) during the day. Approximately 1,450 athletes will use the pocket-sized Spot Gen3 devices, which are equipped with a GPS messenger that connects users by satellite, to maintain safety during the race.

The 2015 race, held from April 3 to April 13 in Morocco requires participants to be self-sufficient, carrying all of their equipment and food. Tents at night and water are the only resources provided by the race. Racers can contact emergency services using a single button to transmit their location in the event of trouble, such as sustaining an injury. Globalstar’s Spot devices have facilitated 3,500 rescues around the world since launch in 2007.