Rachid El Morabity and Sylvie Van Baelen win the 2026 MDS 120 Morocco

Morocco’s Rachid El Morabity and Belgium’s Sylvie Van Baelen won the 2026 MDS Morocco after the third and final 25 km stage, held on the same course as the athletes competing in MDS Handi.

Morocco’s Rachid El Morabity won the men’s race, completing the final stage in 1:43. He finished ahead of France’s Louis Godeman, in second, and Sélim Deterpigny, in third. El Morabity also topped the final overall standings in 9:28:39 for the 120 km, ahead of Louis Godeman and Selim Deterpigny.

In the women’s race, Belgium’s Sylvie Van Baelen won the stage in 2:15:23. She finished ahead of compatriot Laura Dumortier and Britain’s Marie Kirton.

Van Baelen also won the overall classification in 12:29:47, finishing sixth outright. In the MDS Handi category, Aubin Barillon posted the fastest stage time, 2:09:17. Bérengère Schmitt-Bennacer was second, ahead of Delia Guggenheim, in third. Overall, Aubin Barillon of Du Sables dans les Yeux won in 6:58:54. He finished ahead of Guillaume Jeannin and Bérangère Schmitt Bennacer.

Able-bodied and para athletes united by the same effort

For the final day of racing, participants in the MDS 120 Morocco and MDS Handi tackled a shared 25.1-kilometre course, reflecting the closeness and solidarity that had accompanied both events from the start. Deep in a rocky canyon, the terrain quickly showed its teeth. Technical sections, rocks and natural obstacles demanded focus, determination and commitment at every step.

For the MDS Handi athletes, some sections proved particularly tricky and required a collective effort to make progress.   In those demanding stretches, the spirit of mutual support was clear. Getting wheelchairs over the obstacles could take more than one person: sometimes several participants had to combine their strength and coordination. Runners and walkers from the MDS 120 spontaneously stepped in to help the MDS Handi athletes. Everyone played their part in a shared show of solidarity.

At the finish, fatigue mingled with pride, while smiles gave way to tears of joy. For some, the emotion came from pushing beyond their limits. For others, it was rooted in the journey itself, the challenges overcome and the bonds forged over the stages. For everyone, crossing the finish line marked the end of an adventure that will leave a lasting impression. The MDS Handi and MDS 120 Morocco therefore brought their races to a powerful close: participants united by the same challenge, where every finish matters and every individual victory takes on a collective dimension.

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