Lahcen Ahansal wins Marathon des Sables

Moroccan runner, Lahcen Ahansal and Luxembourg's Simone Keyser Diederich won, in Ouarzazate (south) Saturday, the Marathon des Sables title.

The seven times title holder, Lahcen Ahansal dominated the 20th edition of the event and remained undefeated through five stages of the event.

Lahcen Ahansal crossed the finish line hand in hand with his brother, Mohamed, after a 42.2km-long contest between Iraoun and Tazzarine (south). Their fellow countryman, Lhoucine Akhdar, finished third.

In the women's category, Luxembourg's Simone Keyser Diederich kept the leadership although French Sophie Satrin won the sixth day race, ahead of her fellow countrywomen Isabelle Degrand and Virginie Thévenot.

The Marathon des Sables is a six-day event through the Sahara Desert in southern Morocco.

Each day of the Marathon is an adventure unto its own, as each of the six stages ranges from 20 to 80 kilometres in length.

The racing is tightly monitored, with all participants required to go through numerous "check points" along the way.

The adventure takes place in the stunningly beautiful desert to the east and south of the town of Ouarzazate.