Morocco is known for its beautiful Hispano-Moorish and Islamic architecture: horseshoe arches, large domes, and ornate geometric patterns. But one of the country’s most visited landmarks, the Jardin Majorelle — a botanical garden that surrounds a cobalt blue and yellow villa — is unlike any other.

Totaling more than 156 miles, Morocco’s Marathon des Sables is often called “the toughest footrace on earth.” The ultramarathon takes place over seven days under the harsh conditions of the Sahara Desert.