The 40th edition of the Marathon des Sables kicked off with high intensity, as the first stage held on Sunday over a distance of 35.1 kilometers featured fierce competition among the leading runners, indicating an extraordinary edition of the famed desert race.
Moroccan runner Mohamed Marabti made a strong mark in the men’s category, finishing the stage in first place with a time of 2 hours, 26 minutes, and 29 seconds, narrowly ahead of his brother, Rachid Marabti, who claimed second place. The race showcased a pure Moroccan rivalry at the forefront, with French competitor Michael Gras coming in third, marking an early entry into the title chase.
On the women’s side, French runner Mariline Nakach excelled, completing the stage in 3 hours, 4 minutes, and 1 second, ahead of Moroccan Aziza El Amrani in second place. Her compatriot Agathe Tiaï-Mago secured third, in a race that appeared open to all possibilities.
This edition sees around 1,500 male and female runners representing 52 nationalities, competing over a total distance of nearly 270 kilometers spread across multiple stages through harsh desert terrain, making endurance and energy management critical in determining the outcome.
Despite its introductory nature, the first stage revealed a clear closeness in performance levels, suggesting an escalating competition in the coming days, with the potential for the race to be decided by small details as the finish line approaches.
