Increase in finishers and improvement of performance of masters runners in the Marathon des Sables We have studied the participation and performance development of the age group runners at the Marathon des Sables’ from 2003 to 2012. In men as among the women, the number of finishers increased over the years, with women increasing the runners in age groups 30-34, 45-49 and 50-54 years.The men rose the number in age groups 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59 and 60-64 years. The best runners were in the age group 35-39 years for women like men.Over the years, the running speed in women’s age groups remained unchanged while the runners in the group were slower for 30-34 years and became faster in groups 35-39 and 40-44 years faster. The complete study can be found at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Pubmed/23776392