Morocco Marathon Des Sables: Runners brave the dunes in Stage 2

The second stage of Morocco’s Marathon Des Sables on Monday saw reigning champion Rachid El-Morabity finish first in the men’s stage with Russian Natalia Sedyhk leading the women.

Rachid El Morabity was first man back on today's stage 2 of the marathon des sables. Our team won't be far behind! pic.twitter.com/gYY0BsRE68

— I Run 4 Hope (@irun4hope) April 11, 2016

The Moroccans were favourites to dominate the stage. Morabity finished ahead of compatriot Abdelkader El Mouaziz. He stretched his lead during the second part of the stage when the dunes proved challenging for many other runners.

Coming on #AfricaLive pkaribecctv Over 1000 runners brave the elements to run the marathon Des Sables in Morocco pic.twitter.com/nljG7WSJ6T

— CCTV Africa (cctvnewsafrica) April 11, 2016

The European runners did better than expected with Spaniard Jose Manuel Martinez finishing the stage alongside Moroccan Aziz El Akad, while Frenchman Erik Clavery came in at sixth.

In the women’s stage 2 race, Sedyhk – third overall last year – made it 15 minutes ahead of her nearest rival.

Overall Marathon Des Sables standings:

First five women

1 – Natalia SEDYHK (RUS) – 3:40:20

2 – Nathalie MAUCLAIR (FRA) – 3:57:30

3 – Elisabet BARNES (SUE) – 4:10:57

4 – Elizabeth HOWARD (USA) – 4:17:50

5 – Fernanda MACIEL (ESP) – 4:22:49

First five men

1 – Rachid EL MORABITY (MAR) – TGCC – 3:10:29

2 – Hammou Ou Mohamed MOUDOUJI (MAR) – TEAMAROC – 3:10:45

3 – Abdelkader EL MOUAZIZ – (MAR) – TGCC – 3:11:04

4 – Jose Manuel MARTINEZ (ESP) – 3:20:30

5 – Erik CLAVERY (FRA) – TERDAV EQUINOX 1 – 3:25:52