Defending champion Mohamed El Morabity continues to lead the Marathon des sables. The Moroccan won the third stage, the longest of this 38th edition, on Tuesday April 16. He covered the 85.3 km in 7h37mn47, ahead of his compatriots Aziz Yachou (8h 31min52s) and his brother Rachid El Morabity (8h 31min 53sec). Mohamed El Morabity, winner of the first three stages, leads the overall classification with a time of 13h00mn34s, ahead of his brother Rachid (13h55mn07s) and the other Moroccan, Aziz Yachou (13h55mn08s).

In the women's category, Moroccan Aziza El Amrany continued her domination by winning stage 3 in 10h46mn 10s, consolidating her first place in the overall standings with 17h 40min 16sec. Second place went to her compatriot Aziza Raji (11h 24min 29s).Dutchwoman Adriana Moser completed the podium in 12h05mn06s.