© Ian Corless
Swedish ultrarunner Elisabet Barnes is often referred to as desert running royalty. Both a coach and runner, the 42-year-old specialises in multi-stage races, particularly in desert conditions, with wins at the Marathon Des Sables (twice), the Oman Desert Marathon and Tunisia’s Ultra Mirage El Djerid to her name. As a result, she’s often the go-to coach for those wishing to take on their first MDS experience.
But her talents aren’t just limited to the desert. She has a fast road marathon running time, a love of fastpacking adventures (including a trip to Everest Base Camp) and last year came third at the 160km multi-stage Everest Trail Race, amongst other things. She also co-owns online running kit store MyRaceKit.com, so enjoys insider knowledge of the best gear for running, ultras and beyond. In fact, if you’re planning a multi-day desert ultra, check out Elisabet’s website for what to pack and how to prepare.