Solidarity at the heart of the MARATHON DES SABLES

14 april - Inauguration of the Center Solidarité Marathon des Sables

The Solidarity Association of the MARATHON DES SABLES, an extreme race in the southern Moroccan Sahara, inaugurated this Sunday its new center in the presence of the Governor of the province of Ouarzazate.

At MARATHON DES SABLES, solidarity is not an empty word: this Sunday morning, as a conclusion of the 34th edition of the legendary event, the officials including the Governor of the province of Ouarzazate Adberzak EL MANSSOURI, press, partners, volunteers and some competitors gathered at the exit of the city. Under the direction of Patrick BAUER, creator and Race Director of MARATHON DES SABLES, these 70 people attended the inauguration of the Marathon des Sables Solidarity Center, the culmination of three years of work. More than 200,000 euros have been collected by generous donors – from members at 30 euros a year to the Children & Future association for 105,000 euros - to finance this traditional construction. Pisa is in order for the center, bringing freshness in summer and softness in winter. The land required for construction was taken directly from the site. Quality and durability are at the rendezvous.

Created 11 years ago, the association rented premises. The construction of this center makes it possible to make the association more autonomous and sustainable, and to have larger premises that are more adapted to the activities. The center welcomes 240 children and 40 women each year, benefiting from early sports awakening and physical education classes, as well as second-hand literacy classes and a place to make handicrafts. Year-round, 6 people work full time to supervise women and children from the two neighborhoods adjoining the center.

Among the assembly, we can note the presence of the current champions of MARATHON DES SABLES like the Dutchman Ragna DEBATS and Moroccans Rachid and Mohamed EL MORABITY, Abdelkader EL MOUAZIZ, but also that of the biggest champion of the MDS, Lahcen AHANSAL, 10 victories on the counter. Rachid, 7 wins, counts well with the help of his little brother Mohamed, overtaking Lahcen. Continuation of the story next year, with a 35th edition that promises to blow up all the counters - to date, there are already more than 400 registered ...