TOP 15 WOMEN

The 38th edition of the MARATHON DES SABLES LEGENDARY promises to be a very open race for the women’s podium. Who will succeed Maryline NAKACHE (FRA)?

Aziza EL AMRANY (D7 – MAR – 33 years old)

Third in 2022 and second in 2023, Aziza EL AMRANY is undoubtedly an excellent Moroccan runner on an upward curve. Aziza could well take over from her compatriots Touda DIDI and Aziza RAJI by in turn pocketing the Grail of desert racing.

Aziza RAJI (D9 – MAR – 37 years old)

The Moroccan from Kelaat-M’Gouna will line up for the sixth time with the MDS. His goal ? Reconnect with the victory she experienced in 2021. For her other participations, Aziza has always climbed into the Top 10, remarkable regularity for this hard-working runner.

Lai King CHAN (D739 – HKG – 56 years old)

This Hong Kong native only discovered long-distance races in 2022, and since then she has spared no effort: half a dozen places of honor on trails of 20 to 100 km, a victory mid-2023 over 100 km and above all a remarkable third place in the disputed Golden 100 Hong Kong 2023 at the beginning of December. This will be his first attempt at the MDS.

Adriana MOSER (D850 – NLD – 31 years old)

Adriana took up running in 2018 “to cover the mountains after battling them emotionally”. Indeed, the Dutch woman living in Austria had just spent two years fighting the disease; running is a form of revenge for these stolen years. Adriana will be able to capitalize on her victory at HMDS Morocco last October (120 km, 3 stages) to perform on her first MDS Legendary.

Gemma GAME (D204 – GBR – 44 years old)

Gemma GAME's story with the MDS began in 2015, with already a fourth place. Since then, this Briton who loves running in the desert returned there in 2018 and 2019 to secure two third places. There is no doubt that Gemma will once again climb into the Top 5.

Saskia PLAUCHEUR (D118 – FRA – 43 years old)

Immersed in the world of athletics since she was little, sports trainer, used to relatively smooth 45 to 80 km trails, Saskia has the qualities to score a Top 10 on the MDS, even if it will be her first. Note in particular his performances on the Paris EcoTrail in recent years with averages of more than 10 km/h over the 80 km giving him several Top 5s.

Marie HOUDUSSE (D469 – FRA – 33 years old)

A lover of nature and sport since a young age, Marie can count on her experience of long mountain treks. She also has a few endurance events under her belt, such as a Half Ironman and a few trails of 45 to 75 km. She has distinguished herself on several occasions, for example last year on the Ultra-Trail Côte d’Azur Mercantour (75 km, third). This will be her first MDS, and she is full of desire!

Laurence KLEIN (D160 – FRA – 55 years old)

Laurence KLEIN is a monument to French running, and it is also a monument to the MDS. European 100 km champion in 2007 (7h26), French Marathon Champion in 2008 (2h37), French Trail Champion in 2010, Laurence also holds three titles in the MARATHON DES SABLES (2007, 2011, 2012 ). Personal coach, Laurence no longer races for victory, but remains very efficient. His son Lilian, 28 years old, will also be present on this edition of MDS.

Amélie GINTER (D8 – FRA – 38 years old)

A lifelong sportswoman who went to sports college, Amélie took a step forward two years ago by enlisting the advice of Philippe PROPAGE, former coach of the French Trail team. Ineluctably attracted by the MDS in which she has been immersed for years through her husband Anthony (8 MDS, 19th place at best) and her father-in-law Christian (35 MDS on the clock), she decided to launch into the adventure by setting beautiful milestones on its route: third at the Ultra Mirage El Djerid 2022 (52 km) and third on the Veni Vici 2023 (72 km).

Ninette BANOUN (D449 – NOR – 59 years old)

An ultra runner for over twelve years, Ninette has participated in all the biggest races with numerous victories and even more podiums. Relatively fast (8h46 per 100 km) and enduring (nearly 220 km over 24 hours), Ninette has undeniable qualities to enter the Top 10 on her first MDS. Because even if she doesn't have the experience of sand, she knows well the heat she suffered during the Spartathlon (246 km in Greece) and the Badwater (217 km from Death Valley in the USA) .

Magdalena KALUS (D855 – GER – 37 years old)

Magdalena has been traveling through Germany, Austria and Spain for around ten years to complete trails of 50 to 250 km. With half a dozen Top 10s on the clock, it is especially his second and ninth places last year on the Garda Trentino Trail Extra (150 km) and the Eiger Ultra Trail E250 (251 km) that impress. This will be his first MDS.

Alexandra BAILLY (D229 – FRA – 37 years old)

Nurse anesthetist, trail runner for around three years, Alexandra took up “ultra” distances last year, with small successes such as a twelfth place in the Queen of the Templars distance last October. First MDS for Alexandra.

Anne GODEFROY (D406 – FRA – 54 years old)

Anne started running late in life, in 2018 at almost 50 years old, first with her dog in canicross, then in half, marathon and trail running from 2020. Regularly on the podium in her category, she is managed to complete major events in 2022 and 2023 (Ultra Marin, Diagonale des Fous, etc.). With her husband by her side on this first MDS, she is almost serene: “I will go to the ends of the world even if I have to face my fears. »

Katherine BECKINGHAM (D604 – GBR – 28 years old)

Since 2018, Katie has been involved in long-distance running, mainly in Great Britain. With a few podiums in regional races, and even a victory in a 24-hour race on the track in 2021 (166 km), this first MDS represents a new step forward in his sporting career.

Nina STEIN (D65 – DEU – 41 years old)

Nina has been running for around fifteen years, and quickly took to long distances, preferably in nature. Rather accustomed to the mountains, particularly in the Alps where she managed to obtain good places of honor in major international events, this MDS “represents a big challenge for me. I'm not used to stage races. » Already present last year, she had not reached the end of the ordeal.