A competitor died on Monday, a victim of cardiac arrest, during the second stage of the Marathon des Sables, a 250 km competition over 6 days in the desert of Moroccothe organization announced.
“This afternoon (Monday) at 5 pm GMT, a French participant of the 35 Marathon des Sables suffered a heart problem in the dunes of Merzouga. The man, close to fifty, who had met all the medical requirements before the race , I had passed the first stage successfully, without resorting to the medical service ”, indicates the press release of the organizers.
“After his discomfort, he was immediately rescued by two other competing doctors, who pressed the SOS button on his beacon and started the cardiac massage protocol. The medical director of the event arrived at the scene in the following minutes by helicopter (…) After 45 minutes of resuscitation, the medical team declared him deceased ”.
The creator and organizer of the race, Patrick Bauer, He gathered the participants in the early afternoon at the bivouac to announce his death.
In the history of the Marathon des Sables, created in 1986, this is the third death to have occurred during the event.
The start of the 35th edition was given to 682 competitors on Sunday. Traditionally organized in April, the Marathon des Sables takes place this year in October due to the crisis linked to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Temperatures are extremely high, reaching 50 degrees during the day and not dropping below 20 degrees at night, according to the AFP photographer.
During Sunday’s first stage, 32.2 kilometers long, there were 39 casualties, the organizing committee said.
The second stage was 32.5 kilometers long, of which 13 km in the heart of the highest dunes in Morocco.
The race will continue on Tuesday with the third stage. A minute’s silence will be observed before departure.