MDS Legendary 2026 – The 40th Edition – Stage 3

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.

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