The penultimate stage of the 40th edition of MDS Legendary and after the excitement of the 100km long stage, what surprises would this day bring? Tired bodies and tired minds, especially after relentless sand storms the previous day, did not stop the enthusiasm for the classic marathon stage.
Pierre Meslet pushed the early pace opening a gap and retaining the lead well beyond CP1. Michael Gras also pushed hard along with Ludovic Pommeret. Could this french trio break the Moroccan duo?
Quite simply, no!
Mohammed El Morabity took over after CP3 on a key section of the route and then pushed all the way to the line.
Behind, the pace of the Moroccan could be felt and the rest had to respond or surrender.
Rachid and Ludovic did respond and the gaps started to open, eventually the top 10 men separated by 34-minutes at the finish line.
Mohammed concluded the marathon in 03:08:07 and behind, his brother, Rachid secured 2nd in 3:12:24. Ludovic just 1-minute back in 3:13:23.
Maryline for the women continued the winning form and once again ripped apart the women ranking with a 4:03:03 finish.
Magdalena Boulet, MDS Legendary 2018 champion, today found the form of old and finished 2nd ahead of Aziza El Amrany, 4:28:18 and 4:36:52 respectively.
Mohamed leads the race with 19:11:02 and Rachid is 2nd with 19:33:44, Ludovic is third in 19:41:57 – on paper, these results should not change with a 21km last stage – however, history shows, anything can happen.
For the women, Maryline is unstoppable and barring a disaster, is the 2026 champion. Aziza El Amrany is 2nd, and Desiree Linden is 3rd, the gap between the duo is over 30-minutes.
The final stage awaits. There will be drama, tears and emotion on the line.
A day that will be remembered. A day that redefined limits. For the first time in 40 years, the MDS Legendary stage stretched to 100km… and with it came everything: nerves, fear, excitement, anticipation. The unknown ahead, and the deeper question within, the ‘why?’
Two starts broke the silence of the desert. 05:00 for the masses. 07:00 for the elite. One shared reality: 40 hours to finish.
Under a sky lit by thousands of headlamps and the pulse of live music, the start line shimmered with energy, one of those rare moments that sends a tingle through your entire body. Then, just like that, they were gone. Into the vast, unforgiving unknown.
In the women’s race, dominance had a name: Maryline Nakache. Untouchable from the first خطوة, she led with authority and never looked back, crossing the line in a breathtaking 9:57:22 — and 9th overall.
Behind her, resilience told its own story. Aziza El Amrany found her strength when it mattered most to take 2nd. Desiree Linden claimed 3rd in 12:11:57. And then there was Agatha Teillet-Magot — a day of extremes. From podium contention to the brink of stopping, even switching to flip flops, she battled her way through doubt and pain to finish in 24:43:30. A reminder that this race is as much about heart as it is about legs.
The men’s race? Pure drama.
From the gun, Mohamed El Morabity, Ludovic Pommeret, Ahmed Ouikhalfen and Michael Gras pushed the pace. Rachid El Morabity stayed patient, watching, waiting.
Cracks began to show and Gras faltered, forced into rest, eventually finishing in 12:11:47.
Up front, it became a duel, Mohamed vs Ludovic. At 80km, Mohamed surged. A gap opened and itt looked done.
But the desert always has the final word.
Ludovic fought back. Mohamed began to fade. And after 100km of racing, it came down to a sprint, a finish so close it will be talked about for years. Mohamed took it: 08:19:32. Ludovic just seconds behind: 08:19:44.
Rachid closed strong for 3rd in 8:34:00.
Times adjusted (minus 5 minutes from the technical control on stage 3)
And then… the real story of the Legendary stage unfolded. 1,500 runners. A full day. A full night. And another day again.
Heat that drained the soul.
Wind and sandstorms that tested resolve.
The night and he quiet magic of stars overhead.
This is what the long stage is about. Not just racing, but enduring. Not just competing, but discovering. Because somewhere in those 100km, every runner finds their answer to “why.” Stage 5 awaits… and the battle is far from over.
Stage 3 of the MDS Legendary 40th edition unfolded beneath a blanket of cloud, a rare, almost deceptive calm over the Sahara. The cooler start hinted at opportunity, and the elite men seized it immediately.
Michael Gras and Ludovic Pommeret set a relentless pace, clearly intent on breaking the dominance of the El Morabity brothers. For a moment, it looked possible. But in true form, the Moroccan duo absorbed the pressure. Mohamed steadily closed the gap, reining the leaders back in with controlled precision before Rachid surged, reasserting their authority at the front.
Then came a twist, a surprise control at CP3 for the leading men and women. It disrupted rhythm, fractured momentum, and added a layer of tension to an already tactical day in the desert. The MDS is self-sufficient and each runner must comply with regulations – mandatory equipment and required calories were checked.
By the end of Stage 3, the battle lines are drawn: Mohamed leads overall in 7:43:23, with Rachid just behind at 7:47:20. Michael Gras holds strong in third with 7:56:18 — still within striking distance, but the brothers remain firmly in control.
In the women’s race, Maryline continues to dominate with composure and strength. Another commanding stage sees her extend her lead to a full hour ahead of Agathe Teillet-Magot in second, while Aziza El Amrany holds third.
Now, all eyes turn to Stage 4, for the 40th edition, a 100km stretch with 40-hour cut off. In the Sahara, nothing is guaranteed: fortunes can rise, bodies can falter, and rankings can be rewritten in a single day.
Stage 2 of the 40th edition of the MDS Legendary delivered speed, strategy… and something far deeper, a raw fight for survival.
A crisp 06:00 start gave runners a rare gift: cool desert air, fragile and fleeting. In the darkness, the start line shimmered with the glow of head torches, like a moving constellation about to be swallowed by the vastness ahead. For a brief moment, it felt almost forgiving.
But the desert never gives for long.
The 40.5km point-to-point stage, stretching across a fast, flat expanse toward a brand-new bivouac, was broken by checkpoints at 8, 15, 21, 28.1, and 33.7km, lifelines scattered across an otherwise merciless landscape. There was no shade. No escape. Only distance, heat, and the quiet question each runner carried: how much more can I endure?
At every CP, blue coats stood as silent heroes in the furnace, offering water, and iced water poured over the neck, brief moments of relief before the long march resumed.
In the distance, the camel safety patrols moved steadily across the horizon, watchful and calm—guardians of the race, there for the moment when determination might tip into danger. A reminder that here, in the heart of the desert, this is more than competition.
In the men’s race, Michaël Gras ignited the stage early, daring to disrupt the dominance of Mohamed and Rachid El Morabity. For a time, the pace burned hot with ambition. But experience has its own rhythm. By CP3, the El Morabity brothers had taken control, waiting, measuring, then striking. Mohamed surged to victory in 2:58:26, Rachid close behind in 3:03:01. Gras, after a relentless fight against both rivals and the rising heat, held on for third in 3:03:46.
The women’s race told its own story of strength and resilience. Maryline Nakache led from the front with authority, claiming victory in 3:48:21.
Behind her, the desert reshaped the field. Aziza El Amrany faltered under the pressure, and opportunity emerged through the heat haze. Agathe Teillet-Magot and Desiree Linden pushed through to secure their podium places in 4:10:31 and 4:13:00.
But beyond the podiums, beyond the times, every runner was fighting a quieter, more personal battle, against the sun, against fatigue, against the voice that whispers stop.
And still… they kept going. With Stage 3 ahead, a shorter but pivotal test, the focus already shifts to what looms large on the horizon: Stage 4 and its brutal 100km reckoning.
The desert is not done. In truth… it’s only just beginning.
The desert woke gently, as if aware that something extraordinary was about to unfold. A calm, warm morning stretched across the horizon, painted in soft gold and pale blue. The early light shimmered through a delicate veil of mist, giving the landscape an almost dreamlike quality. Beneath that glowing sky stood 1,500 runners, each carrying their own story, their own reason for being there. Around them, 600 staff members moved with quiet purpose, preparing for another chapter in one of endurance sport’s most iconic events. This was not just another race. This was stage 1 of the 40th edition of the MDS Legendary.
There was electricity in the air, an unmistakable mix of excitement and fear. Some runners stood in silence, eyes fixed on the horizon. Others laughed nervously, shaking out their limbs, stealing final moments of comfort before the storm. For many, this was the culmination of years of dreaming. For all, it was the beginning of a test that would demand everything they had.
“Highway to Hell” blasted across the start line, a ritual as iconic as the race itself. Smiles spread. Hearts pounded faster. And just like that, anticipation turned into motion.
Ahead lay 35 kilometres of unforgiving terrain.
From the very first strides, it was clear this would not be an ordinary stage. The pace was sharp, almost aggressive, cutting through the usual cautious energy of a race opening. And at the front, a familiar figure made his intentions unmistakably clear.
Defending champion Rachid El Morabity was not waiting.
Known for his tactical patience, Rachid surprised many by asserting himself early. It was a move that spoke volumes about his strategy and maybe fear for the competition. Whether driven by instinct, strategy, or respect, he stepped forward and pushed the tempo, forcing the race to take shape around him.
Close behind, as always, was his brother Mohamed El Morabity, watchful, composed, and ready. The two moved with a quiet understanding, a shared rhythm forged over years of racing together.
But this year, there was another presence in the mix: Michaël Gras. Fast. Determined. Dangerous.
Rachid knew it. Everyone did.
By Checkpoint 1, the race had already begun to stretch. The elastic was tightening. Rachid increased the pressure, and the field responded, chasing hard, unwilling to let the leaders disappear into the vast openness of the desert. Yet the desert has a way of revealing truth.
By Checkpoint 3, that elastic finally snapped.
Rachid and Mohamed surged ahead, breaking free with a decisive move that only the strongest could follow, and none could. The brothers, now alone at the front, turned the final stretch into something deeply personal.
Stride for stride, breath for breath, they pushed toward the finish.
It was Mohamed who edged ahead in the final moments, claiming victory by mere seconds in a breathtaking display of strength and precision. His finishing time, an astonishing 2:26:29, set the tone for what promises to be a fiercely competitive week.
Rachid crossed just 21 seconds later, a reminder that even the smallest margins can separate triumph from second place at this level.
Michaël Gras, despite an incredible effort, finished third, 4 minutes and 34 seconds behind the winner, still a performance of remarkable quality in such a demanding environment.
If the men’s race was defined by tactical brilliance and explosive pacing, the women’s race delivered its own story of courage, resilience, and relentless drive.
From the outset, Aziza El Amrany made her intentions clear.
She pushed the pace early, determined to break the competition before it could settle. It was a bold move, one that required both physical strength and mental conviction. Close behind, Maryline Nakache matched her, refusing to yield but pacing calmly.
Agathe Teillet-Magot, meanwhile, worked tirelessly to stay within reach, her effort a testament to determination in the face of unyielding intensity.
As the runners approached Checkpoint 3, the tension was palpable. Aziza and Maryline were locked together, neither willing to concede. It was a battle not just of speed, but of will.
And then, Maryline shifted gears.
With a surge of strength, she created the smallest of gaps, and in a race like this, that is all it takes. She drove forward, crossing the finish line in 3:04:01, securing victory with a margin of 5 minutes and 33 seconds ahead of Aziza – early bravery earning her a well-fought second place.
Agathe completed the podium, arriving 17 minutes and 26 seconds after the winner, her performance a powerful reflection of endurance and grit.
It was, by every measure, a fast day. But more than that, it was a beautiful one.
The desert, often seen as harsh and unforgiving, revealed its quieter side, its elegance, its vastness, its ability to inspire. The glowing sunrise, the soft mist, the endless horizon, all of it combined to create a stage unlike any other.
And on that stage stood 1,500 runners, each one chasing something deeply personal.
For some, it was victory. For others, it was completion.
For many, it was simply the chance to discover what they are capable of when everything is stripped away – comfort, certainty, ease, and all that remains is the will to keep moving forward.
Surrounding them, 600 staff members ensured that this incredible journey could unfold safely and seamlessly. Their presence, often unseen, is an essential part of the race’s heartbeat.
The first stage of the 40th edition has come and gone, but its impact will linger. It has set the tone, not just in terms of competition, but in spirit.
This is more than a race. It is a gathering of human potential.
A place where fear and excitement coexist, where limits are tested and redefined, where moments of struggle give way to moments of triumph.
As the sun climbed higher and the day unfolded, one thing became clear:
This is only the beginning.
And if the opening stage is any indication, the journey ahead will be nothing short of unforgettable.
The 40th edition of the MDS LEGENDARY is here and it’s unlike anything that’s come before it.
Six stages. 270 kms. A route that raises the bar once again.
This year’s course delivers both scale and variety. It opens with a steady 35km to find your rhythm before stepping up to a longer 40.5km day for stage 2.
Stage 3 pulls things slightly shorter at 29.1km ahead of the stage 4 ‘long day,’ but by this point, the cumulative load is already building.
Then comes the centrepiece.
Stage 4 stretches to a record-breaking 100km, the longest single stage in MDS Legendary history. With two staggered starts and a 40-hour cut-off, it’s a true test of pacing, resilience, and decision-making under fatigue. This is where the 2026 and 40th edition will be defined.
With a 40-hour cut-off, the need to rest, recover and reset quickly is important. A classic marathon distance of 42.2km follows on Stage 5, before the final 23.2km push to the finish and the glory of medal.
Across the six days, the route totals 270km’s with 2612m+ of climbing, in the Sahara, every metre and every step counts, this will be tough.
Since its creation, the Marathon des Sables has built its reputation as one of the toughest footraces on earth. The 40th edition honours that history while pushing into new territory, with its longest stage ever and one of its most demanding overall distances.
An epic edition.
An iconic race.
A route that will be remembered.
Race Summary:
Day 1 – Stage 1 35km 285m+ 0700am start – 1000h cut off
Day 2 – Stage 2 40.5km 486m+ 0600am start – 1135h cut off
Day 3 – Stage 3 29.1km 413m+ 0700am start – 0620h cut off
Day 4 – Stage 4 100km 721m+ – two starts, 0500/0700am – 4000h cut off
Day 5 – Stage 4 continuation/ rest day
Day 6 – Stage 5 42.2km 424m+ 0630am start – 1205h cut off
Day 7 – Stage 6 23.2km 238m+ 0630am start – 0440h cut off
270km and 2612m+
Stats
Over 1500 participants
30% women
68 nationalities
68% new to an MDS event
France lead with 403 participants, followed by the UK and then Belgium
Key age is between 35 and 44 closely followed by 45 to 54.
IAN CORLESS 