Moroccan Lahcen Ahansal won his eighth consecutive Marathon des Sables on Saturday (15 April) by finishing first in the last six stages. Jordan's Salameh Al Aqra finished second, while another Moroccan Moulay Abderrahmane Maliki was third. In the women's race, Frenchwoman Geraldine Courdèsse finished first, followed by Italians Lorina Dibito and Alicia Bertolino.
This victory marks a decade-long dominion of the Ahansal brothers (Lahcen and Mahamad) over this race. Lahcen won the competition nine times, including eight in a row (1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006), while his brother won the 1998 edition.
"Although victory was practically in my hands since yesterday (Friday), but I had to be prudent anyway because anything can happen," the nine-medal man said.
According to organizers, the race, which was kicked off on Sunday April 9, was marked by a high rate of drop-outs owing mainly to the exceptionally harsh weather conditions that lasted all along the race.
A similar ultra marathon started in Algeria since last Thursday (12 April). About 200 Algerian, French, Spanish, and German runners are partaking in Marathon Hoggar 2006. The distance of 168.5 km was split into five parts; respectively Peak Laperrine to Atakor region (35km), Tizouiag (31.7km), Mount Asskrem (8km), and Tihernanet (43.8km) to reach the finish in Tamanrasset (50 km).
Tags: Morocco Fes, Maghreb news
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