DR ‹ › On Tuesday, Moroccan runner Rachid El Morabity won the third stage of the 40th edition of the Marathon des Sables, in a race marked by a fast pace and tactical intensity. The 29.1-kilometer stage, with an elevation gain of 413 meters, included three checkpoints at kilometers 11.2, 17.4, and 22.9, requiring careful energy management. In the men's race, France's Michaël Gras and Ludovic Pommeret set an early pace to challenge the El Morabity brothers, leading at the first checkpoint. Mohamed El Morabity followed closely, while Rachid adopted a more cautious start. The race dynamics shifted approaching the second checkpoint, as Pommeret dropped back, leaving Gras alone in the lead. By the third checkpoint, Rachid El Morabity had begun to close the gap, drawing on his experience, while Mohamed lost valuable time. In the final stretch, the Moroccan runners took control. Rachid El Morabity secured victory in 2h17min29s, ahead of Mohamed El Morabity (2h18min28s), while Michaël Gras completed the podium in 2h21min29s. In the women's race, France's Maryline Nakache confirmed her strong form, leading from start to finish in 2h55min21s. Morocco's Aziza El Amrany claimed second place in 3h09min18s, followed by France's Agathe Teillet-Magot in 3h13min56s. This third stage marks a turning point in the competition, ahead of the fourth stage, the longest and most demanding, spanning 100 kilometers. The 2026 Marathon des Sables, held from April 3 to 13, brings together more than 1,500 participants from 62 nationalities.
