Fez — The 12th edition of the Raid Sahraouiya officially began on Sunday in Dakhla, launching a week-long women’s sporting challenge marked by solidarity, endurance, and collective effort. The opening day saw Moroccan athletes Aziza El Amrani and Hasnaa Hamdouch emerge as top performers after the first competitive stage.
The event opened with a running race of more than 10.2 kilometers, starting from the Dunes de Dakhla Hotel and winding through some of the region’s most emblematic landscapes. Under clear skies and strong sunshine, participants pushed through physical and mental limits, reflecting the founding values of the raid: self-transcendence, resilience, and sisterhood.
Moroccan athletes dominate the opening stage
The first timed event, a 10-kilometer run, brought together nearly 100 participants. El Amrani and Hamdouch secured first place in the day’s rankings, ahead of French duo Caroline Drouin and Julie Guéganton in second place. Moroccan teams also featured prominently, with Nisrine Brouss and Ghizlane Mikou finishing third, placing four Moroccan competitors in the top three results of the opening day.
Organizers described the atmosphere as both competitive and supportive, with teams emphasizing cooperation alongside performance — a defining characteristic of the Raid Sahraouiya since its creation.
An event under royal patronage
Held from February 7 to 14, the launch ceremony took place alongside Abderrazak El Gourji, Secretary General of the Wilaya of Dakhla-Oued Eddahab, as well as Laila Ouachi, president of the Lagon Dakhla Association, which organizes the raid, alongside representatives of local authorities.
Beyond competition, the Raid Sahraouiya positions itself as a human and solidarity-focused adventure, exclusively dedicated to women, combining sport with social commitment and regional promotion.
