MDS The Legendary 2025 – Stage 3

After a tough and challenging stage 2, participants were happy for a shorter day of 32.5km’s for stage 3 ahead of the feared long day of 82.2km’s on stage 4.

With less soft-sand, the running would be easier, however, there was still 468m+ to test the mind and body.

On the stroke 0f 0730 the runner’s were released under cloudy skies and cooler temperatures. However, the sun and heat soon appeared making for another challenging day.

For the men, the El Morabity brothers today once again played with tactics.

Hamid Yachou started fast and opened a gap, he was pursued by Mohamed and behind, Rachid ran easy.

By CP1 Hamid had a strong lead, Mohamed was closing on him but Rachid was some 6-minutes back. Would Rachid close the difference?

After CP3, Hamid and Mohamed were side-by-side, the younger El Morabity policing the breakaway and ensuring that all times he would control the race.

By the time Rachid arrived, the gap had not closed and it became obvious that today Rachid would relinquish the overall lead playing a tactical game with stage 4 tomorrow.

At the close of the day, the male top-3 ranking is as follows:

Mohamed El Morabity 08:33:54
Hamid Yachou 08:38:46
Rachid El Morabity 08:40:16

For the women, Maryline Nakache ran a more relaxed stage keeping Aziza El Amrany close throughout the day. A sensible move with the long day tomorrow, any energy saved can be called upon for the 82.2km’s.

Ragna Debats once again ran in 3rd place and Annelies Brak and Tomomi Bitoh were 4th and 5th.

Gemma Game took it easier, again, looking to save energy for stage 4.

With 3 stages complete, the women’s top-3 is as follows:

Maryline Nakache 10:23:03
Aziza El Amrany 11:06:15
Ragna Debats 11:43:47

An epic morning start- Photo by Ian Corless

Full results are HERE

Men ranking HERE

Women ranking HERE

Tomorrow, stage 4 is 82.2km’s and will have 2 starts, 0600 for the masses and 0730 for the top-50 and top-5 women. With a cut-off time of 34-hours, the conclusion of the stage will come the following day, Thursday Apr 9th.