Hassna HAMDOUCH (MAR)

On the occasion of International Women's Sports Day on January 24, head to Kenitra, Morocco, where Hassna HAMDOUCH, 40, is preparing her first participation in the MARATHON DES SABLES. Engineer, manager of health, safety and environment at FAURECIA, a multinational in the automotive sector, Hassna is the mother of a 10-year-old girl.

She admits that it is her passion for running and trail running that balances her professional and personal life today. “I have been running for 3 years with pleasure, love and inner joy. Encouraged by positions on the podium, I recently embarked on long distances. Result in October 2019: first place in the women's category on the UTC, the Ultra Trail of Chaouen, 61 km. I gained confidence. "

MDS is one of the most difficult races in the world: 250 km to be covered in 6 stages and in self-sufficiency in food, in the Moroccan Sahara, in Hassna’s own country. And it’s his new dream today to consolidate his practice before considering trails abroad. With its 35 years of existence, the same organization since the beginning and its international scope, the MDS has what to reassure and attract: "I have a beautiful treasure to discover in this new pedestrian adventure. "

Hassna is one of the last to register, with the support of Volkswagen Maroc, already a partner of MARATHON DES SABLES. The particularity of MDS being the carrying of a backpack of approximately 10 kg, Hassna continues his usual physical preparation by adding muscle strengthening. On the food side, since the event takes place in self-sufficiency, Hassna is betting on an organic and healthy diet. It is anti-food supplements and artificial products. On a daily basis, it feeds mainly on raw fruits and vegetables as well as special recipes with dried fruits. Its daily water intake is between 3 to 5 liters.

 "Today I am a different woman thanks to my passion. When I finish a race, I feel like I'm getting better. I discover different qualities in me at each finish line. Achieving your goals by overcoming physical and muscular suffering, it teaches! I am convinced that my mental strength is my strong point. By developing our will to succeed, the impossible becomes possible."

And then Hassna also thinks of the other women, in particular her compatriots, whom she would like to see more of in sporting events. “I would like to see more and more Moroccan women on the starting lines. In our country, we have all the conditions required to train and succeed in this type of competition. We Moroccans can also be at the level of representing Morocco abroad. "

(Cover pic : Trail Aurocher)