Rachid El Morabity claimed victory in the punishing third stage of the 2024 Marathon des Sables, but the Moroccan champion’s win carried extra significance as he outpaced his younger brother, Mohamed, to take the stage honors.
The 37.2-kilometer leg, run in the intense heat of the Moroccan Sahara, saw a fierce battle between the siblings. Rachid, a seven-time winner of the iconic multi-day race, crossed the line first with a time of 2 hours, 56 minutes, and 35 seconds. His brother and defending champion, Mohamed El Morabity, followed just over a minute later to finish second on the stage.
This result shakes up the overall standings. Mohamed retains the race lead, but Rachid’s stage win has significantly closed the gap between them. The margin at the top is now a slender 2 minutes and 22 seconds, setting the stage for a dramatic family rivalry in the remaining days of the event.
The race’s official website revealed that the third stage presented a major tactical challenge. Organizers implemented a novel rule for this edition, mandating that runners must carry all their personal belongings and food for the entire 250km race from the very start. This added a critical layer of strategy regarding weight management and resource planning from day one.
With several grueling stages still ahead, including the formidable 86.2-kilometer “long stage,” the battle for the 2024 Marathon des Sables title is intensifying. The focus now turns to whether Mohamed El Morabity can defend his lead against the relentless charge of his older brother, Rachid.
