The 27th edition of the Marathon des Sables began April 8th 2012 at its customary location in Ouarzazate, Morocco. This year 853 runners began this classic multiday race through the desert covering 150 miles while carrying food and gear.
Last years winner Rachid El Morabity continued his form by winning the first three stages but with only a kilometer to go of the fourth stage was forced to pull out due to injury. Close behind Morabity was Salameh Al Aqra who won that stage. Stage five was won by Aziz El Akad while Laurence Klein continued to dominate the womens race. Stage six saw Klein come in second behind Khali Meryem yet with a big enough cushion to remain a comfortable winner. Aziz El Akad won the final stage with Ahansal second. Al Aqra’s third place was sufficient effort to bring him the overall win.
Men
1 Salameh Al Aqra JOR 19H59’21
2 Mohamad Ahansal MAR 20H20’23
3 Aziz El Akad MAR 21H38’17
4 Carlos Alberto Gomes De Sa POR 21H44’27
5 Lorenzo Trincheri ITA 21H58’46
6 Christophe Le Saux FRA 22H03’04
7 Antonio Filippo Salaris ITA 22H12’34
8 Anton Vencelj SLO 22H30’17
9 Wataru Iino JPN 22H42’08
10 Jean Sebastien Braun FRA 22H45’36
Women
1 Laurence Klein FRA 26H15’40
2 Meryem Khali MAR 27H35’18
3 Karine Baillet FRA 27H46’47
4 Jen Salter GBR 28H48’47
5 Meghan Hicks USA 29H31’18
6 Nicola Boyd GBR 32H05’58
7 Edith Doyen FRA 32H50’06
8 Emmanuelle Blanck FRA 32H57’57
9 Isabelle Degrand FRA 34H17’36
10 Aline Pierron FRA 34H37’52
Race website: www.darbaroud.com
