Extreme Marathon Zagora

The 5th edition of the Zagora extrem marathon took place the 31str of Decembre. An original way to celebrate the end of the year for the 755 participants. They came from all over the Morocco but also from France, germany, Luxembourg, belgium or even Canada...
The route was a beautiful discover of the desert's gates, with road, sand, palmeries, djebel and even the Zagora mountain to finish. An hard race so, but very pleasant. You just need to appreciate the long straight up lines to feel great but the route is quite varied. "A condensed of the Marathon des Sables" says Mohamad Ahansal, winner of the last MDS edition and organisator about that race to define it.
All the runners were not there to make tourism: the winner moroccan Mouloudi finish in an atonishing 2h44', but he's got the level to break 2h15 in a regular marathon. Didi tuda win the women division in 3h35. She is also the last winner of the MDS. For my part I finish 17th and first european... not so bad!
The race was beautiful, ambiance very friendly and the party of the Saint Sylvester on a bivouak in the desert still a very magical moment. The rendez vous is taken for 2009!