MDS 120 Jordan: Mahé Freydier and Héline de Souza tame the Wadi Rum desert

The MDS 120 Jordan wrapped up with a 26.2 km third stage in a spectacular setting, finishing at the foot of the iconic Seven Pillars of Wisdom. Frenchman Mahé Freydier and Héline de Souza took the 120 km title after three stages across the Wadi Rum desert.

The setting matched the occasion. For the final day of racing, MDS 120 Jordan runners headed out on their last challenge in the early hours. Two starts, at 4:30 am and 6:30 am, sent them off on the final 26.2 kilometers of this Jordanian adventure.

The route cut through the heart of Wadi Rum, between majestic rock formations, sandstone mountains and vast stretches of desert. An exceptional natural landscape that gave runners one last playground, as demanding as it was spectacular.

A long stage to recover from before the grand finale

The day before, competitors had tackled the long stage, with a choice of 20 km, 40 km or 60 km.

Over the 60 km, the longest option, Mahé Freydier stood out again by winning this second stage. Already strong since the start of the race, he confirmed his great form and his ability to hold a hard pace despite tough conditions. He finished ahead of Spain's Antonio Toston, while Frenchman Franck Clarté rounded out the men's podium for the stage.

On the 40 km course, local runner Salameh Alaqra took the win.

In the women's race, the second stage confirmed the trends from day one. Over the 60 kilometers, the same three athletes held the top spots in the women's standings, a sign of remarkable consistency since the start of this edition.

France's Héline De Souza won this second stage, once again ahead of Audrey Roynard, with Laure Masson taking third. In conditions where pacing and heat tolerance make all the difference, the three women again showed their determination and their ability to perform over the long haul.

Women on the overall podiums

The highlight of this adventure will undoubtedly remain the finish of the third and final stage at the foot of the Seven Pillars of Wisdom, the emblematic rock formation of Wadi Rum. In this grandiose setting, runners crossed the line and brought several days of effort and emotion in the Jordanian desert to a close.

After three stages, the overall rankings are now final for all three distances: 120 km, 100 km and 70 km. This edition rewarded consistency, endurance and the ability to manage effort from start to finish.

In the MDS 120, Mahé Freydier, a skier from Courchevel, wins the men's overall. Héline De Souza delivered a remarkable edition in the women's race. By winning all three stages, she takes the women's overall title.

In the MDS 100, Jordan's Salameh Alaqra won the men's race comfortably. A past winner of the MDS 120 Jordan, he added another victory on home soil. France's Louise Marcant, who already won the women's MDS 120 Morocco 2025, keeps the momentum going. This year she takes the women's overall title in the 100 km in Jordan, finishing 2nd overall, and confirms her strength on the demanding terrain of MDS races.

In the MDS 70, Ecuador's Nicolas Jamarillo and Switzerland's Anne Corjon (3rd overall) won the men's and women's races respectively.

MDS 120 podiums:

Men:

1) Mahé Freydier (France): 11h16’06

2) Antonino Toston (Spain): 11h31’09

3) Franck Clarté (France): 12h38’07

Women

1) Héline de Souza (France): 13h32’03

2) Audrey Roynard (France): 15h41’31

3) Laure Masson (France): 16h39’49

MDS 100 podiums:

Men:

1) Salameh Alaqra (Jordan): 9h32’30

2) Pascal Wagner (Germany): 13h04’15

3) Bart Verheyden (France): 14h11’14

Women:

1) Louise Marcant (France): 10h46’36

2) Gisela Sanchez (Spain): 14h06’00

3) Lauran Reyniers (Belgium): 14h12’23

MDS 70 podiums

Men:

1) Nicolas Jamarillo (Ecuador): 9h31’13

2) Jean-Christophe Comte (France): 9h35’40

3) Clément Dodin-Vernizeau (France): 11h05’24

Women:

1) Anne Corjon (Switzerland): 10h56’34

2) Sophie Lecoq (France): 13h04’32

3) Roser Battle Giro (Spain): 13h12’50

Full Results