An Intense Battle Marks the Opening of the 40th Marathon des Sables

The first stage of the 40th edition of the Marathon des Sables “Legendary” concluded this Sunday afternoon after a demanding 35.1-kilometer course marked by remarkable intensity. From the very start, the race lived up to expectations, delivering a high-level spectacle and confirming that this edition will be exceptional, both in terms of participant quality and the strong competition among the world’s elite. This year, the event brings together 1,500 runners from 52 nationalities, set to cover a total distance of حوالي 270 kilometers across particularly challenging desert terrain.

In the men’s race, Morocco’s Mohamed El Morabity made an impressive start, securing first place with a time of 2 hours, 26 minutes, and 29 seconds. He finished ahead of his brother, Rachid El Morabity, who came second in 2 hours, 26 minutes, and 50 seconds, in a captivating sibling duel at the front of the race. France’s Michael Gras completed the podium with a solid performance, finishing the stage in 2 hours, 31 minutes, and 3 seconds.

In the women’s category, France’s Maryline Nakache stood out with a commanding victory, crossing the finish line in 3 hours, 4 minutes, and 1 second. She finished ahead of Morocco’s Aziza El Amrany, who placed second in 3 hours, 9 minutes, and 34 seconds, while France’s Agathe Teillet-Magot secured third place with a time of 3 hours, 21 minutes, and 27 seconds, confirming her ambitions for the remainder of the competition.

These early results set the tone for what promises to be a fiercely contested edition. With narrow gaps and extreme conditions, the battle for the title is expected to intensify with each stage, pointing to a thrilling race all the way to the final kilometers of this extraordinary adventure.

Editorial team/le7tv (Press Release)