Rachid El Morabity wins the Marathon Des Sables for the 10th time, taking victory alongside female athlete Aziza El Amrany, winning on her debut race.
The Marathon Des Sables has a reputation for being one of the hardest races in the world. Over 252 km, participants must navigate through the Moroccan desert, encountering dunes, jebels, and a myriad of terrain.
The race lasts seven days and includes six stages. During that time, runners must carry a backpack containing all supplies, including the food and camping gear needed for the week. Each stage offers a unique experience traversing extreme terrains, and only some make it to the finish line.
This year’s weather was cool compared to previous years, inviting runners to push harder than they would have done. However, as the week progressed, the weather also went with it, rising from 18 degrees celsius at the beginning of the week.
The 2024 race started on Sunday, April 14, and concluded on Saturday, April 20. This year’s 252.8-kilometer (157 miles) course was divided into the following six stages:
- Stage 1: 31.1 kilometres (19.3 miles)
- Stage 2: 40.8 kilometres (25.3 miles)
- Stage 3: 85.3 kilometres (53 miles)
- Stage 4: 43.1 kilometres (26.7 miles)
- Stage 5: 31.4 kilometres (19.5 miles)
- Stage 6: 21.1 kilometres (13 miles)
Men’s Race
Brothers Rachid and younger brother Mohamed El Morabity were favourites to win from the beginning. Going into the race, Rachid had 9 wins under his belt, with Mohamed boasting six finishes consisting of five-second places and one win. At the end of the six stages, Rachid would come out on top, beating his brother Mohamed by a mere 25 seconds.
- Rachid El Morabity (Morocco) – 20:42:19
- Mohamed El Morabity (Morocco) – 20:42:44
- Aziz Yachou (Morocco) – 20:44:37
- Hamid Yachou (Morocco) – 22:56:41
- Yoann Stuck (France) – 23:00:14
Women’s Race
In the women’s race, Aziza El Amrany was also the favourite to win when entering. Within the first race, she stormed ahead of the competition. Although she slowed down during the second half of Stage 1, El Amrany still finished way ahead at 2:45:54 and 17th overall.
Throughout the stages, she competed with the 2021 winner Aziza Raji. In stage four, El Amrany suffered heat exhaustion, which significantly slowed her down but did not stop her. El Amrany won the sixth and final stage, taking first place in five out of the six stages and creating a good distance between her and the rest of the field.
- Aziza El Amrany (Morocco) – 27:06:27
- Aziza Raji (Morocco) – 29:09:04
- Gemma Game (U.K.) – 32:18:58
- Rajaa Hamdaoua (France) – 32:29:24
- Saskia Plaucheur (France) – 34:32:06
FULL MARATHON DES SABLES RESULTS