The fifth edition of MDS Morocco 120 and the second of MDS Handi began with a spectacular sunrise, with high temperatures forecast for the day. Faced with the heat, the organisers advanced the start by 1 h 30: participants set off at 06:30 instead of the scheduled 08:00.
Even before daybreak, the heat of the Moroccan desert was already being felt, after a very hot night. In the bivouac, sleeping bags were left largely unused. As the first light arrived, more than 600 participants gathered at the start, in an atmosphere combining excitement, jittery energy and anticipation.
Stage 1 offered 24 kilometres for runners in the 70 km, 100 km and 120 km formats, while the 16 teams of MDS Handi took on an 18.1 km route. Three checkpoints were set up along the course, to provide water, support and encouragement as temperatures gradually climbed.
In the MDS Handi, an initiative called Hope Ropes enabled runners from the main race to join the effort and help drive the teams forward. In addition, each Handi team had its own challenge before Checkpoint 2: at around 300 metres, the helping runners would step aside, allowing the Handi athlete to continue alone, with a ten-minute bonus deduction if they succeeded.
In the men’s race, Rachid El Morabity, the Moroccan “Desert King”, won the stage in 2:03:46. Louis Godemon crossed the line next, 3 minutes and 12 seconds behind, before Selim Deterpigny completed the men’s podium a further 5 minutes and 54 seconds back. For the women, Marie Kirton won in 2:39:55 before having to stop after a two-inch thorn pierced her shoe and pricked her with every stride.
