Latest news with #RachidElMorabity
Ya Biladi
06-04-2025
- Sport
- Ya Biladi
Morocco dominates opening stage of 39th Marathon des Sables
Morocco asserted its dominance from the outset of the 39th edition of the Marathon des Sables, which kicked off on Sunday between Jbel Erhraz and Oued Tijekht in the province of Errachidia. In this first 32 km stage, Mohamed El Morabity took the lead, crossing the finish line first with a time of 2h20'29''. «As always, the first stage is difficult—it's about finding the right rhythm», he said at the finish. He was closely followed by his brother, Rachid El Morabity—multiple-time winner of the event—who finished second in 2h21'37'', just over a minute behind. Another Moroccan, Hamid Yachou, rounded out the podium with a time of 2h23'11''. Despite some technical sections, including sandy stretches and cracked terrain, participants generally described the first stage as «accessible». In the women's race, French runner Maryline Nakache dominated the stage, finishing first in 2h58'22''. She was ten minutes ahead of Morocco's Aziza El Amrany (3h08'12''). Dutch athlete Ragna Debats, one of the favorites going into the event, completed the podium in 3h17'14'', nearly 19 minutes behind the leader. Held under the High Patronage of King Mohammed VI, the 39th edition runs from April 4 to 14, 2025. More than 1,000 runners from 52 countries will tackle the grueling 250 km course across six stages. This record-breaking distance for the legendary race through the heart of the Moroccan desert challenges each participant to their physical and mental limits, making it an adventure of both endurance and athletic excellence.
Ya Biladi
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Ya Biladi
1,000 runners gear up for 2025 Marathon des Sables in Moroccan Sahara
DR Estimated read time: 2' The 39th edition of the legendary Marathon des Sables will take place from April 4 to 14, 2025, in the heart of the Moroccan Sahara. This year, participants will face an unprecedented distance of 252 kilometers, spread over six stages. This marks the longest distance ever recorded in the history of this mythical event (previous editions did not exceed 250 km). Nearly 1,000 runners from 52 countries will forsake all comforts for an extraordinary sporting and human adventure, pushing them to explore the limits of their endurance. Organizers promise a demanding challenge, but also an exceptional experience for all participants. Among the favorites are brothers Mohamed and Rachid El Morabity, with a significant challenge for Rachid as he aims for a record-breaking 11th victory at the Marathon des Sables. He will be joined by the talented Aziz and Hamid Yachou, as well as other top-level contenders. In the women's category, the competition promises to be equally intense with the return of two great figures of the event, Marilyn Naget and Ragna Debats, who will challenge the reigning champion, Moroccan Aziza El Amrani. The Marathon des Sables is a unique endurance event where each runner must be completely self-sufficient in terms of food and carry their own equipment over 252 kilometers. But the distance is not the only challenge: participants will face the scorching dunes and rugged terrain, painful blisters, sleeping under a communal tent despite the heat and wind, without showers, subsisting solely on freeze-dried meals, and being deprived of phones and connection to the outside world, immersed in the isolation of the desert. Detailed Program: Friday, April 4: Arrival in Morocco, bus transfer to the desert, and installation at the bivouac. Saturday, April 5: Day of technical, administrative, and medical checks + night at the bivouac. Sunday, April 6: Stage 1 + night at the bivouac. Monday, April 7: Stage 2 + night at the bivouac. Tuesday, April 8: Stage 3 + night at the bivouac. Wednesday, April 9 & Thursday, April 10: Long stage over two days + night at the bivouac. Friday, April 11: Stage 5 + night at the bivouac. Saturday, April 12: Stage 6 + night at the bivouac. Sunday, April 13: Awards ceremony, festive evening, and night at the hotel. Monday, April 14: End of the adventure and transfer to the airport.
