MUSCAT: Ace Moroccan marathon runner Rachid El Morabity earned his eighth Oman Desert Marathon title as he won the ninth edition on Tuesday.
Rachid, who has won the Marathon de Sables nine times to his credit, romped home with an overall time of 16 hours six minutes and 49 seconds in the 2024 Oman Desert Marathon held from January 20 to 23 at the golden sands of Bidiyah.
The hosts have reasons to cheer with local runners Saleh al Saidi (16:27:27) and Ghaith al Saidi (17:23:06) claiming the second and third spots respectively in the tough endurance marathon across the desert.
Ukraine’s Evgenii Glyva (18:18:23) was fourth while Oman’s Khalid al Jabri (20:11:29) finished fifth.
Saleh, Ghaith and Khalid were the top three athletes in the Omani section.
In the women’s section, Moroccan pair from Aziza Team, Aziza Raji (23:13:32) and Aziza El Amrany (23:40:15) took home the top two honours.
Veronique Messina of France (25:38:53) claimed third spot.
Lana Pecherskaia of Georgia (29:32:49) was fourth while Claudie Laval of France (31:15:03) finished fifth.
SALEH TAKES FOURTH STAGE
Oman’s Saleh al Saidi won the 21 km fourth and final stage with a timing of 1:49:46 ahead of Rachid to ensured title with a close finish of 1:50:02.
Ghaith al Saidi came third in 1:57:05.
Khalid al Jabri (2:10:14) finished fourth ahead of Evgenii Glyva (2:31:27) in fifth.
In the women’s section, Aziza Raji and Aziza El Amrany (both 2:43:43) reigned supreme as Veronique (2:45:52) finished third.
INSPIRATIONAL RUNNER
Spanish Paralympic athlete Pol Makury successfully finished all stages to truly inspire the field. Makury will give an inspirational talk in Muscat’s National Hospitality Institute on Thursday at 3 pm.
Spanish Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman Maria Luisa Huidobro Martin-Laborda will be present along with Consul of Spain Patricio Rumeu Casares for the talk.
First held in 2013, the Oman Desert Marathon is a 165-kilometre race of self-sufficiency in four stages, including one night stage, through the spectacular Omani landscape with all its variety, from the Al Wasil oasis, crossing the desert to the Al Jawharat resort. The race is being held in January to assure runners the best weather conditions.
The race was divided into four stages: 42 km on day one, 55 km on day two, 47 km on day three (night stage), and 21 km on the fourth and final day.
Omani runners Ghaith al Saidi and Saleh al Saidi claimed the top two spots of the 47 km third stage of Oman Desert Marathon 2024 ahead of defending champion Rachid El Morabity of Morocco in third place.
On the women’s side, seasoned marathon runners Aziza Raji (6:56:35) and Aziza El Amrany (6:56:35) from Morocco took the top two positions while Veronique Messina (7:49:56) of France was third in the night stage.
In the 55 km stage on day two, Rachid El Morabity came first followed by Saleh al Saidi (6:07:43) and Evgenii Glyva (6:23:13).
Moroccan duo of Aziza El Amrany (8:31:06) and Azia Raji (8:31:07) were top two in the women’s section. French runner Veronique Messina (9:04:37) finished third.
In the 42 km opening day stage on January 20, Rachid topped with a timing of 3:18:42.
Oman’s Saleh al Saidi (3:19:29) was second followed by Rachid’s brother Mohammed El Morabity (3:20:58) in third.
In women’s section, Aziza Raji (5:02:06) was top ahead of her teammate Aziza El Amrany (5:28:49).
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