Moroccan Rachid El Morabity won the first stage of the 37th Marathon des Sables (MDS), between Jebel Irhs and Oued Tijekht, in the province of Errachidia, over a distance of 36 km.
During the first stage of the 37th edition of the Marathon des Sables which takes place from April 21 to May 1 in Errachidia, the marathon runner Rachid El Morabity won after 2h 46 min 12 sec ahead of his brother Mohamed El Morabity who completed the 36 km course after 2h 47 min 13 sec and Aziz Yachou who signed a time of 2h 47 min 14 sec.
” As always, the first stage proves to be a bit difficult, as it takes time before you can pick up the pace “, did he declare.
On the women’s side, the Dutch Ragna Debates won the first stage of the competition. She covered the stage in 3h 26 min 38 sec, followed by the French Maryline Nakache, who set a time of 3h 36 min 29 sec while the Moroccan Aziza El Amrani came third, completing the course in 3h 53 min 51 sec.
Ragna Debates, who had already won the MDS in 2019 in his first participation, specifies in his statement: “ I’m here with the idea of winning », indicating to be aware that « the Marathon des Sables is a long race during which anything can happen “.
A total of 1085 runners from 51 countries came to the starting line for this first stage. The second stage, of 31.7 km, is scheduled for Monday. It will lead the participants from Oued Tijekht to the famous Jebel El Otfal. In addition, the adventure which runs from April 21 to May 1 is spread over six stages with 250 km to cover.