MDS 120 Morocco: Rachid El Morabity and Marie Kirton take the opening stage

The fifth edition of MDS Morocco 120 and the second edition of MDS Handi got underway today amid the spectacular landscapes of the Moroccan desert. More than 600 participants set off at dawn for a demanding opening stage, with high temperatures, top-level performances and plenty of moments of solidarity.

For the opening day, the desert provided a fitting backdrop for MDS 120: a stunning sunrise, vast open spaces and that unmistakable atmosphere surrounding the first kilometres of a multi-day adventure.

With high temperatures forecast throughout the day, the organisers decided to bring the start forward by 1 hour 30 minutes, allowing runners to set off at 6:30 a.m. instead of the initially scheduled 8 a.m. It quickly proved to be the right call. The heat was already noticeable in the first hours of daylight, following an especially warm night at the bivouac. For many participants, sleeping bags were barely used, a sign of the unusual conditions from the very first night.

24 kilometres for competitors in the 70, 100 and 120 km formats

At dawn, more than 600 runners and participants gathered on the start line. Excitement, focus, nerves and impatience were all visible in their faces. For some, the day marked the culmination of months of preparation. For others, it was the pleasure of returning to a desert that had become familiar.

Stage 1 covered 24 kilometres for competitors in the 70 km, 100 km and 120 km formats. Three checkpoints were spaced along the route. As the heat intensified, they became essential stopping points, allowing participants to refill with water, receive support from the race teams and recover some strength before moving on. The day quickly turned into a genuine race against the elements, where managing effort, hydration and heat mattered just as much as speed.

Rachid El Morabity takes the early lead

In the MDS Morocco 120, Moroccan runner Rachid El Morabity once again showed how comfortable he is in this environment. Known as the “King of the Desert”, he won the opening stage in 2:03:46. He finished ahead of Frenchmen Louis Godemon, second in 2:06:58, and Selim Deterpigny, who completed the men’s podium in 2:09:40. The opening day immediately underlined the quality of the field and points to a fiercely contested race in the days ahead.

The women’s race delivered its share of drama too. British runner Marie Kirton won in 2:39:55 after a strong stage that included one particularly unexpected incident. In the final kilometres, a roughly five-centimetre thorn pierced her shoe and struck her foot with every step. Forced to stop, she took the time to carefully remove it before setting off again to tackle the closing kilometres. It was a spectacular reminder of an unavoidable reality in desert racing: here, even the smallest obstacle can quickly become a serious challenge. Marie Kirton finished ahead of Belgians Sylvie Van Baelen, runner-up, and Laura Dumortier, who took third on the women’s podium.

Para-athletes and able-bodied runners united by the same effort

Alongside MDS Morocco 120, the 16 teams taking part in the second edition of MDS Handi tackled an 18.1 km course with 206 m of elevation gain. Once again, the Handi teams were a central part of the day. Their commitment, determination and ability to push beyond their limits drew plenty of encouragement all along the course.

Once again this year, the “Hope Ropes” initiative created a direct link between MDS Morocco 120 participants and the Handi teams. When they catch up with them on the course, runners in the main race can join their effort and help move the teams forward using the ropes provided.

Beyond the physical assistance, these encounters create powerful moments: a few hundred metres covered together, words of encouragement, smiles and a genuine connection between runners taking on different challenges but sharing the same desire to push their limits.

An independence challenge for the Handi teams

The opening stage also presented a new challenge for the Handi teams. Before checkpoint 2, each team had to complete an independence challenge. Around 300 metres before the checkpoint, the accompanying runners had to move to the side and allow the Handi participant to continue alone to the checkpoint. Participants able to cover this section independently earned a ten-minute bonus, deducted from their final time.

Simple in principle, the challenge carries particular symbolic weight. It highlights each participant’s ability to go as far as their capabilities allow and turns a few hundred metres into a genuine personal victory.

In MDS Handi, the team led by Aubin Barillon put in a remarkable performance, completing the 18.1 kilometres in 2:16:47.

Tomorrow’s second stage will cover between 22.2 km and 58 km, with 199 m to 930 m of elevation gain depending on the chosen course.

Stage 1 results

Men’s top 5

1) Rachid EL MORABITY (Morocco): 2:03:46

2) Louis GODEMAN (France): 2:06:58

3) Selim DETERPIGNY (France): 2:09:40

4) Alexandre PORPHYRE (France): 2:31:45

5) Christophe SANTINI (France): 2:32:42

Women’s top 5

1) Marie KIRTON (Great Britain): 2:39:55

2) Sylvie VAN BAELEN (Belgium): 2:45:16

3) Laura DUMORTIER (Belgium): 2:48:39

4) Camille KUREK (France): 3:10:10

5) Marie OHEIX (France): 3:14:48

Stage 1 results