MDS Legendary 2026 – The 40th Edition – Stage 4

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.