Monday 12th April 2004 - Wadi El Khait-Lac Iriqui - 34 kilometers
Weather at 8h00 : 21,9 degrees – 31% humidity
Weather at 12h30 : 43 degrees – 10 % humidity

Ranking - men
1>Mohamed Ahansal (Morocco) – D 2 – 2h20m11
2>Lahcen Ahansal (Morocco)– D 1 – 2h20m12
3>Hassan Oulmyr (Morocco)– D 601 – 2h31m01
4> Marco Gozzano (Italy) – D 15 – 2h37m30
5> Eric Plantin (France)–D 229 – 2h42m59
6> Marco Olmo (Italy) – D14 – 2h44m32
7> Mustapha Ait Amar (Morocco) – D602 – 2h48m40
8>Benoit Laval (France) – D132 – 2h48m45
9> Andre Sicot (France) – D212- 2h49m05
10> Albert Vallee (France) - D211- 2h49m50

Ranking - women
1> Lucile Bellotti (France) – D 60 – 3h22m19
2> Marie Sammons (France) – D 94 – 3h27m03
3> Kattell Corne (France) – D33 – 3h37m52

After just one person abandoning the race last night, the 586 competitors set off this morning to cover the 34 kilometers between El Khait wadi and Lake Iriqui. After just a few kilometers, yesterday’s impressions proved to be true : three Moroccans in the lead, on top form, (the Ahansal brothers –D1 and D2- and Hassan Oulmyr-601) with Marco Gozzano (D15) hard on their heels. They reach CP 1 (Km 10) in this order, watched by a herd of donkeys and the usual crickets. No surprises there. Once again, everybody started at a fast pace.“Each time it’s the same, you think it’s the beginning of a demi-marathon, when in fact it’s a very long race”, explained Dominique Nugre (D117) at CP1, situated in a mountain pass. The runners then encounter a long flat stretch for 10 kilometers. The landscape changes radically once more, this time ressembling an African savanna with beautiful acacias and dried tufts of yellow grass. In this calm backdrop, the battle for the first few places is heated. The two brothers are extremely competitive amongst themselves, and the younger Mohamed, forever in second place, is determined to try to beat his brother. “We like to compete with each other, that’s the way we stay top of the league”, he explained at the start of the race today.
At CP3, the situation remains the same : the Ahansal brothers are neck and neck, followed 4 minutes later by Hassan Oulmyr and 12 minutes later by Marco Gozzano.With just 6 kilometers to go before the finishing line situated amongst the mirages of Lake Iriqui. This short stretch proved to be the downfall for those hot on the heels of the Ahansal brothers. They left the other competitors far behind, finishing side by side, 11 minutes ahead of Hassan Oulmyr, in third place, and 17 minutes ahead of Marco Gozzano. At the finishing line the Italian cried : “the Ahansal brothers are on another planet, I can’t keep up with them. I’m happy with my position, but I’m a bit apprehensive of tomorrow’s stage.”
Today’s winner, Mohammed Ahansal, today emerges as a serious threat to his older brother, who is not at his best : “I’m weak from a sore throat. I caught a chill going to Casablanca because of the air-conditioning there. I had a tough time preparing and I’m scared of losing. ”
Talking of which, the first victims are on their way out. At 12 h 48, Pierre Yves Bertrand (115) was transported by helicopter to the Doc Trotter clinic, with a hernia, and other runners finished in a state of dehydration.
As far as the women’s ranking goes, it’s much more unpredictable. Lucile Belloti (D60), who finished fourth yesterday, was in first place today, and becomes another possible contestant to win the race. “One thing’s for sure, that it’s going to be a very close battle between the women. “ Stated Kattell Corne.
The contest has beg