Marathon des Sables opens with intense 35.1 km stage as El Morabity brothers lead

The first stage of the 40th edition of the Marathon des Sables “Legendary” concluded Sunday afternoon after a demanding 35.1 km race marked by high intensity. The event brings together 1,500 runners from 52 nationalities, who will cover a total distance of around 270 km across particularly challenging desert terrain.

In the men’s race, Moroccan runner Mohamed El Morabity took first place in 2:26:29, narrowly ahead of his brother Rachid El Morabity, who finished second in 2:26:50. France’s Michael Gras completed the podium in 2:31:03.

In the women’s race, France’s Maryline Nakache won in 3:04:01, ahead of Morocco’s Aziza El Amrany (3:09:34), while Agathe Teillet-Magot took third place in 3:21:27.

With tight gaps and extreme conditions, the opening stage sets the tone for a highly contested race in the coming days.