MOROCCO − Organisers of the Marathon des Sables yesterday evening announced the death of a competitor during the second stage of the ultra-marathon event held in the Moroccan part of the Sahara Desert.
Organisers revealed in a statement that a French participant, who's anonymity remains preserved, suffered a cardiac arrest in the dunes of Merzouga.
'This afternoon at 17:00 GMT, a French participant in the 35th Marathon des Sables suffered a fainting spell in the Merzouga dunes,' the statement read.
'The man, who was in his early fifties and had fulfilled all the medical requirements for the race, had successfully completed the first stage without the need for medical assistance.
'After he collapsed, he was immediately rescued by two other competitors − also doctors − who triggered the SOS button on his beacon and started the heart massage protocol.
'The event's medical director arrived on the scene within minutes by helicopter and took over from the participants.
'After forty-five minutes of resuscitation, the medical team had to pronounce him dead.'
Organisers confirmed that the race, which ends on Friday, will carry on as planned with a moment of silence set to take place before the start of today’s third stage.
'In order to respect all the people who have prepared for this adventure, the staff has decided to continue the race. A minute of silence will be observed before the start of the third stage.
'Continuing the adventure will also be a way to pay homage to this 'brother of sands'.'
Mohamed El Morabity won stage two ahead of his older brother and six-time defending champion, Rachid, who leads the race, while overall leader in the women's category, Aziza Raji, who won the opening stage, again crossed the line first. – Reuters, October 5, 2021
