Last updated: 16-Apr-18
The great desert epic is over for another year as the runners head to the finish to relax and soothe their tired feet at the hotels of Ouarzazate.
Thursday’s marathon stage marked the end of the racing and gave Rachid Al Morabity, the talented and popular Moroccan runner, his sixth title. In second place came his younger brother, Mohamed, and third place went to Frenchman Robert Merile.
In the women’s race, the USA’s Magdalena Boulet was untouchable after her magnificent performance in the long stage and cruised home to the winner’s crown. She was followed in by Bouchra Eriksen, who had run consistently throughout, and third place went to the UK’s Gemma Game who had the race of her life. Natalia Sedykh came in in sixth place after leading the early stages.
Saturday’s charity stage is a chance for the runners to walk and run together to the official finish of the race without any time pressures and celebrate their accomplishment. Some fly their families over to join them. Now it is a well-deserved rest and time to let it sink in that they have achieved their goal and run the Marathon des Sables.
Top men and women: Final overall results
- Rachid El Morabity 19:35:49
- Mohamed El Morabity 20:01:28
- Robert Merile 20:41:00
- Magdalena Boulet 25:11:19
- Bouchra Eriksen 26:36:00
- Gemma Game 27:00:23
Congratulations to the MDS class of 2018!
