The 2026 Marathon des Sables Legendary launched on the first light on Sunday, April 5. Over the next week, greater than 1,500 runners from 68 totally different nations put their endurance to the check within the majestic and unforgiving Moroccan Sahara Desert. Mohamed El Morabity of the house nation and Maryline Nakache of France flew throughout the desert, rising from the six-stage occasion as unequalled champions.
Mohamed El Morabity, the 2026 Marathon des Sables Legendary males’s winner. Photograph: Marathon des Sables/Antonio Miranda
The six phases of various distances happen over the course of seven days, this yr masking a complete distance of round 270 kilometers (168 miles). Runners carry their very own meals and kit, whereas the race group gives water, a shade tent at every bivouac, and medical and emergency help, if wanted.
The terrain is variable, that includes runnable, hard-packed desert, leg-destroying tender sand, rocky plateaus and ridges, and steep dunes. The defining second of the race was the lengthy 100-kilometer stage, which spans 40 hours on the fourth and fifth days of racing. This yr, the long-stage distance was prolonged from the normal 82k to 100k, making it the longest stage within the race’s historical past to assist have a good time the occasion’s fortieth version.
The Moroccan El Morabity brothers have dominated the occasion within the trendy period. Older brother Rachid El Morabity has a colossal 11 titles, with youthful brother Mohamed beforehand taking one win and 7 silvers. This yr was extra of the identical, with the brothers main the standings from the very first miles and controlling each stage. Nevertheless, Mohamed confirmed dominance this yr over each his brother Rachid and the remainder of the sphere, profitable 5 of the six phases.
Nakache gained the race in 2023 and 2025, and raced completely unchallenged this yr, dancing throughout the dunes to win all six phases and take victory by nearly 3.5 hours.
Maryline Nakache, the 2026 Marathon des Sables Legendary ladies’s champion. Photograph: Marathon des Sables/Antonio Miranda
After the El Morabity brothers, the highest males’s contenders this yr have been race veterans Ahmed Ouikhalfen (Morocco), who completed third in 2025 and sixth in 2024, and Michaël Gras of France, who completed eighth in 2014. Path operating legend Ludovic Pommeret of France was on the beginning line too, in his first race since his profitable 2025 season, wherein he gained the Hardrock 100, and completed sixth and fourth at UTMB and the Diagonale de Fous, respectively.
The ladies’s lineup featured 4 whole previous winners: Nakache, in fact; Aziza El Amrany of Morocco, winner in 2024 with 4 whole prior podium finishes; Aziza Raji of Morocco, winner of the 2021 version with six prior finishes; and Magda Boulet (U.S.), who gained in 2018. Two-time Olympic marathoner Des Linden (U.S.) took to the beginning line for the primary time, simply two months after her profitable path debut on the 2026 Black Canyon 50k.
The race featured six phases over seven days:
- Stage 1: 35k (22 miles)
- Stage 2: 40.5k (25 miles)
- Stage 3: 29.1k (18 miles)
- Stage 4: 100k (62 miles)
- Stage 5: 42.2k (26.2 miles)
- Stage 6: 23.2k (14 miles)
Learn on to see how the race performed out.
The beginning of stage 1 of the 2026 Marathon des Sables Legendary. Photograph: Marathon des Sables/Antonio Miranda
2026 Marathon des Sables Males’s Race
The primary stage was a 35-kilometer warm-up, easing runners into their journey. As race followers have come to count on, the stage was dominated by the El Morabity brothers from Morocco. Rachid El Morabity charged out of the beginning blocks, taking an early lead and setting the tempo for the day. He was joined by his youthful sibling, Mohamed El Morabity, and Michaël Gras (France). By the third checkpoint, 23k into the race, the brothers have been operating collectively on the entrance of the sphere alone. Mohamed inched forward over the closing miles, crossing the road in 2:26:29, 21 seconds forward of Rachid. Gras and Ahmed Ouikhalfen (Morocco) have been locked in a combat for third place over the course of the day, with Gras edging forward of Ouikhalfen to complete in 2:31:03. Ludovic Pommeret (France) rounded off the highest 5 in 2:34:29.
The purpose-to-point second stage, 40.5k lengthy and with 486 meters of climbing, was nonetheless quick however signaled the start of more durable terrain on the course. The runners set off at 6 a.m., putting out throughout undulating dunes, gravel sections, and rocky plateaus. Gras went out quick, hoping to achieve valuable time on the leaders from the day before today. He led by the primary two checkpoints, however succumbed to the velocity of the El Morabity brothers round midway by the stage. Mohamed crossed the road in 2:58:26, and Rachid completed in 3:03:01, simply 45 seconds forward of Gras, who completed in 3:03:46. The race closed for the day with no change to the general standings, the highest 5 runners separated by 22 minutes.
Rachid El Morabity on his method to taking second on the 2026 Marathon des Sables Legendary. Photograph: Marathon des Sables/Antonio Miranda
Stage three was a brief, punchy loop of 29k, packing in 413 meters of elevation acquire over an identical terrain to the day before today. Cloud cowl and the next cooler temperatures made for a speedy day of racing. Gras and Pommeret made a break for victory by the opening miles, however have been overpowered as soon as extra by the El Morabity brothers within the closing 12k. Rachid went on to take his solely stage win of this version in 2:17:29, with Mohamed crossing the road one minute later in 2:18:28. Gras and Ouikhalfen took third and fourth place.
This meant that the general standing remained unchanged for the third day operating. Mohamed held on to the lead with a cumulative time of seven:43:23, just below 4 minutes forward of Rachid. Gras, Ouikhalfen, and Pommeret held third to fifth locations inside 13 minutes of one another. The highest 5 have been separated by solely about 25 minutes and have been all in the end nonetheless in rivalry for the win, promising an thrilling spectacle for the next day’s lengthy stage.
Stage 4 usually marks a turning level within the race, and this yr didn’t disappoint by way of race drama. The 100k stage had 721 meters of elevation acquire throughout mountainous dunes, tender sand, and rocks. Maybe probably the most memorable second of the day was the dash end between Mohamed and Pommeret, with the duo having run your complete stage nearly step-for-step. Mohamed arrived simply 12 seconds forward of Pommeret in 8:24:32. Rachid completed in third place in 8:39:00, 29 minutes forward of Ouikhalfen. Gras, beforehand in spitting distance of the leaders, succumbed to the warmth and completed the stage in twenty first place. Although Gras would rally and run nicely later within the race, it wasn’t sufficient to get again inside the highest 10 total.
Ludovic Pommeret would end third on the 2026 Marathon des Sables Legendary. Photograph: Marathon des Sables/Antonio Miranda
After a day of relaxation for the highest runners, whereas the remainder of the sphere accomplished the lengthy stage, everybody launched into the marathon-distance fifth stage. Pierre Meslet of France made a break for victory within the opening miles, bravely main compatriots Pommeret and Gras. The El Morabity brothers fought again within the second half of the stage, although, and Mohamed claimed victory in 3:08:07. Rachid completed second in 3:12:24, one minute forward of Pommeret, who completed in 3:13:23. The ending order on the fifth stage was additionally the cumulative rating order.
On the eve of the ultimate stage, the rostrum positions have been trying considerably extra decisive. Mohamed’s lead over Rachid had stretched to nearly 23 minutes, whereas Rachid stood eight minutes away from Pommeret in third.
The sixth and closing stage was simply over a half-marathon’s distance, and regardless of the fatigue of the week, runners all the time run this stage scorching; this yr was no exception. A bunch of 5 got here by the primary checkpoint at 7.5k inside seconds of one another, Pommeret main this final bid for glory. Of the 4 hangers-on, solely Mohamed managed to stick with the flying Pommeret, they usually got here by 16k collectively, two minutes forward of Rachid and Gras. Mohamed edged forward of Pommeret within the closing 7k, to mark his fifth stage victory in 1:36:37. Pommeret completed 9 seconds later in 1:36:46, six minutes earlier than Rachid, which was not sufficient to vary the cumulative rankings.
Mohamed El Morabity claimed his second total victory on the occasion in 20:47:39, relegating his older brother Rachid El Morabity to silver place in 21:16:25. Ludovic Pommeret took bronze in 21:18:43, concluding his magnificent debut participation within the occasion.
2026 Marathon des Sables Males’s Outcomes
- Mohamed El Morabity (Morocco) – 20:47:39
- Rachid El Morabity (Morocco) – 21:16:25
- Ludovic Pommeret (France) – 21:18:43
- Ahmed Ouikhalfen (Morocco) – 22:10:39
- Ryan Sandes (South Africa) – 23:21:05
- Alberto Sanz (Spain) – 23:49:49
- Nick Friends (Belgium) – 24:17:18
- Arthur Courcoux (France) – 24:27:49
- Julien Absalon (France) – 24:46:30
- Merile Robert (France) – 25:11:10
Mohamed El Morabity on his method to profitable the 2026 Marathon des Sables Legendary. Photograph: Marathon des Sables/Ian Corless
2026 Marathon des Sables Ladies’s Race
Within the ladies’s race, the primary day was marked by the battle between Morocco’s Aziza El Amrany and Maryline Nakache of France. El Amrany set a blistering tempo over the opening distance, coming by 16k with a minute’s lead over Nakache. Nakache refused to yield, digging in by the second half to cross the road in 3:04:01, over 5 minutes forward of El Amrany, and 17 minutes in entrance of the third-place finisher, Agathe Teillet-Magot of France. Des Linden (U.S.) arrived 4 minutes later in 3:25:26 for fourth place, with Rajaa Hamdaoua of France an extra 12 minutes behind in fifth place.
Nakache continued the place she left off on the second stage, ripping by the early dunes to win convincingly in 3:48:21, and prolong her total lead within the race. El Amrany, maybe paying the worth for her quick begin on the day before today, light within the later miles of the stage, leaving Teillet-Magot and Linden to take second and third place in each the stage and the general standings.
Maryline Nakache descends a sand dune on her method to profitable the 2026 Marathon des Sables Legendary. Photograph: Marathon des Sables/Ian Corless
Nakache continued her epic present of dominance over the third stage, flying over the 29k loop to complete in 2:50:21. El Amrany crossed the road 14 minutes after, profitable again among the valuable minutes on the remainder of the sphere after her tough second stage. Teillet-Magot accomplished the rostrum for the day in 3:08:56.
Because the solar set over the desert on the eve of the lengthy stage, Nakache held the lead, sitting nearly an hour forward of Teillet-Magot, with an total time of 9:47:43. El Amrany and Linden held third and fourth place, separated by underneath seven minutes, and Hamdaoua closed out the highest 5. If Nakache appeared untouchable on the entrance, the remainder of the rostrum was removed from being determined.
As is commonly the case on the lengthy stage, the grueling 100k Stage 4 was a make-or-break second for a lot of runners. The space, fatigue, and prolonged time within the solar made for the final word check of energy and willpower. Nakache, nevertheless, didn’t appear to be affected by any of those components. She led from the outset, storming to her fourth victory in 10:02:22, over 90 minutes forward of El Amrany, who completed in 11:40:00. Linden pulled out all of the stops to mark her second third-place end, crossing the road in 12:16:57. Standout performances from Floriane Sabatte and Julie Puthoste, each of France, noticed them take fourth and fifth place in 12:52:57 and 13:16:55, respectively. Abdomen issues compelled Teillet-Magot to stroll for almost all of the stage. She finally completed in 24:43:30. crushing her hopes for a spot on the general podium. Continued points would maintain Teillet-Magot strolling, permitting her to complete the race however nicely off the highest 10.
Aziza El Amrany ending Stage 5 of the 2026 Marathon des Sables Legendary. She completed in second place within the cumulative rankings. Photograph: Marathon des Sables/Antonio Miranda
General standings on the finish of the fourth stage noticed Nakache greater than double her time hole on the remainder of the sphere, in a time of 19:45:05. El Amrany and Linden appeared safe in second and third place, in 22:32:12 and 23:15:47. After having been in tenth place on the situation of the day before today, Sabatte’s gutsy Stage 4 efficiency noticed her transfer into fifth place behind Hamdaoua. The sphere was considerably extra unfold out than beforehand, with the primary 5 separated by practically 5.5 hours.
After a well-deserved relaxation day for the highest runners, whereas the remainder of the sphere completed the lengthy stage, the athletes launched into the penultimate stage, a extra easygoing marathon-length loop throughout hard-packed sand. Nakache continued her uncontested present of dominance to win the stage convincingly in 4:03:03. Magda Boulet (U.S.) ran a superbly managed stage to complete in second forward of El Amrany in third and Linden in fourth; this was a efficiency she’d repeat in Stage 6, although struggles on the lengthy stage meant she wasn’t in rivalry for the highest 10 total. The cumulative standings didn’t change with Nakache, El Amrany, and Linden in podium positions.
The ultimate, sixth stage was 23.2k lengthy, simply over a half marathon, and noticed runners exit onerous regardless of the week of previous challenges. El Amrany led the cost, coming by 7k a minute forward of Nakache. Linden adopted in third, intently adopted by Hamdaoua and Sabatte.
Maryline Nakache proved as soon as and for all that she was in a league of her personal, making it to the Stage 6 end line first in 2:06:22 and profitable the race with a cumulative time of 25:54:29. Taking third in Stage 6, Aziza El Amrany completed in an undisputed silver place for the second yr in a row with a time of 29:22:34, and Des Linden’s regular present of grit noticed her take bronze in 30:16:32.
Des Linden runs throughout Stage 5 of the 2026 Marathon des Sables Legendary. She would take third within the cumulative rankings. Photograph: Marathon des Sables/Antonio Miranda
2026 Marathon des Sables Legendary Ladies’s Outcomes
- Maryline Nakache (France) – 25:54:29
- Aziza El Amrany (Morocco) – 29:22:34
- Des Linden (U.S.) – 30:16:32
- Rajaa Hamdaoua (France) – 32:16:08
- Floriane Sabatte (France) – 32:33:20
- Tomomi Bitoh (Japan) – 33:45:29
- Aziza Raji (Morocco) – 33:50:00
- Julie Puthoste (France) – 34:16:59
- Birte Hayes (Germany) – 35:01:42
- Elizabeth Scott (U.S.) – 36:00:36
Runners move underneath a large sand dune throughout stage 2 of the 2026 Marathon des Sables Legendary. Photograph: Marathon des Sables/Antonio Miranda
