ATHLETICS-MOROCCO-MARATHON-DES-SABLES

Moroccan Aziz El Akad competes some 10 km before the finish line on his way to win this stage on April 3, 2009, during the fourth stage, 42 kms long, of the 24rd "Marathon des Sables" in the Sahara desert, some 300 kilometers, south of Ouarzazate. 812 participants had to walk all along 200 Kms during 5 days. Because of bad weather conditions, the race organisation decided to cancel the first and the last stages and to modify everyday the road book. The Marathon des Sables is considered to be the toughest foot race in the world, covering a distance equivalent to six marathons over normaly six days and half, through the southern Moroccan desert. AFP PHOTO PIERRE VERDY (Photo by PIERRE VERDY / AFP) (Photo by PIERRE VERDY/AFP via Getty Images)