What clothes did Rachid El-Morabity, winner of the 2022 MARATHON DES SABLES, wear?

Winning his 9th victory at age 40 during the 2022 MARATHON DES SABLES, the runner completed an incredible time of 18 hours and 33 minutes during this 36th edition of the event. Currently holding a men's streak of 8 consecutive victories since 2013. His first victory was in 2011, 2 years passed before Rachid El-Morabity decided to assert his supremacy until then.

Although the athlete has extraordinary physical conditions, trail equipment is a decisive factor in this type of extreme race. As a reminder, the 2022 Marathon des sables sent 1200 participants to cover 230km in the southern Moroccan Sahara. A region where the average temperature is 42°C during the day and 10°C at night. For more information, check out our article on the distance of the MARATHON DES SABLES. So aside from the extraordinary abilities of the ultra-trail runner El-Morabity, what equipment allowed him to win this umpteenth edition of the MDS? Bodycross, trail equipment manufacturer and major partner of the event, tells you about it in this analysis.

The kit you needed to take during the 2022 MARATHON DES SABLES

Self-sufficiency, that is a term that perfectly represents the conditions under which the participants of the MARATHON DES SABLES 2022 and all previous years lived. Although this term only concerns the food part in the organization of the Ultra-Trail, it can also be used regarding clothing and equipment. Indeed, once the package is made, there is no more changing.

For 6 days, the runners including Rachid El-Morabity, braved the dry and arid environment of the desert with the clothes they had prepared before the big start. Nothing more. And even if the mental is a lot during the race, the trail equipment allows the body to stay safe from many discomforts and risks inherent to the arid environment of the Sahara.

This is why you must judiciously choose your equipment if in the future, you also want to go on an adventure.

Our product selection

Our selection for the MARATHON DES SABLES

MARATHON DES SABLES 2022: the Bodycross race outfit

To start, during the race stages of the MARATHON DES SABLES 2022, Rachid El-Morabity had opted for an outfit composed of technical textile. Lightness, practicality, comfort and adapted to the highest temperatures. Composed of Polyester and Spandex (Elastane), the clothes he wore during the race allowed him several indispensable things:

• Not to feel discomfort from the friction of the clothing on the skin in sensitive areas. Such as the armpits, back, shoulders or crotch.
• Limit the risks of dehydration with airy outfits thanks to stretch mesh in specific areas where the body generally sweats abundantly.
• To have the feeling of wearing nothing to run being completely free.

The equipment worn during the MARATHON DES SABLES 2022, recommended by Bodycross to have the best possible sensations during the next editions of the MDS:

• T-shirt: first garment in contact with the skin of the trunk, the t-shirt is the basic piece with the shorts. The OLIVER t-shirt from Bodycross in standard shape is light (110gr), soft and breathable. It allows to evacuate body heat without creating a "bubble" effect.
• The trail jersey: to put on over the t-shirt or directly against the skin according to your preferences. The jersey is equipped with a zipper on the upper part of the product. The MILE or MILE ULTRA jerseys from Bodycross are equipped with elastic pockets on the sides.
• The shorts: Rachid El-Morabity wore during the race the OURY shorts. Simple and light, it is remarkably versatile. Otherwise you can choose a reference doubled with a cycling short to avoid friction and burns in the crotch. As well as to avoid the infiltration of sand. The 3 in 1 BEN (men) and ANGY (women) short-cycling shorts from Bodycross are ideal for the MDS.

MARATHON DES SABLES 2022: the camp outfit by Bodycross

Once the stage is finished, you will arrive at the camp where you can spend the night. More precisely in Berber tents, adapted to protect you from the sand during the night. However, you will not be able to protect yourself from the wind or the cold. Therefore, you must plan in your package clothes to wear in the evening in your tent.

Attention however, because the clothes you will wear in the evening will be in your bag during the day stages. Make sure to bring perfectly adapted trail equipment, offering good technical qualities.

• Bet on light clothes because you will wear them on your back longer than on yourself.
• Protect yourself from the cold as much as possible to enjoy a restorative sleep during the 5 nights of the MARATHON DES SABLES.
• Choose compression clothes to improve muscle recovery.

The equipment worn during the Marathon des sables 2022, recommended by Bodycross to have the best possible sensations during the nights of the MDS:

• The windbreaker: essential to not catch a cold during the night. Note that this garment can also be worn on you during the day stages to protect you from powerful winds if needed. The BRAN windbreaker from Bodycross weighs only 160gr and has an adjustable hood to protect your head from sand and the sun during the day.
• The leggings: perfect to keep you warm and compress your lower muscles during the night. The BOBBY compression leggings from Bodycross are extremely resistant and stretchy.

The indispensable accessories for the MDS

During the MARATHON DES SABLES 2022, as well as all other editions of the MDS, participants must equip themselves with some indispensable accessories. Among the most recognized you will find the trail bag as well as the gaiters.

However there are accessories that you must not forget to bring. We are obviously talking about the cap, the beanie and the gloves. Protecting your face from the sun is a necessity. Without this, you risk getting sunstroke and having to abandon the race by order of the doctors.

In the same way, at night the air is cool and you must at all costs avoid catching a cold. The beanie allows you to protect your head and the gloves your fingers. Note that the gloves can also serve you if you participate in the MDS with walking poles. Ideal to not catch blisters.

Why the Bodycross equipment helped the participants of the MARATHON DES SABLES 2022? 

First of all, the clothes and equipment produced by Bodycross are treated with a special finish. The Rudolf Silver-Plus technology is an application made directly on the products. It allows to preserve and improve the quality of the textile of our trail equipment.

More precisely, the Rudolf Silver-Plus finish tends to protect the fabrics against mites, bacteria, bad odors, mold and itching. Perfect to preserve your outfit during the 6 days of the competition. And thus avoid that they end up in tatters after 100km living in the Sahara desert.

Also, the MARATHON DES SABLES 2022 was like all other editions of the MDS, a race in honor of nature. This journey through the desert is a real surrender of Man to the environment. A crossing that allows you to realize how much the Earth is full of surprises of unparalleled beauty. Bodycross is every day in this same respect and this same admiration for nature.

This is why the entire production of Bodycross tends to become eco-responsible. Today, all new references are made with eco-recycled materials from plastic bottles.

Which does not make the clothes less durable, on the contrary. The method of recovering plastic, its transformation into Polyester and its treatment with the Rudolf Silver-Plus finish makes our clothes stronger. And more respectful of the environment.

We invite you to prepare your participation in the MDS by informing yourself about the price of the MARATHON DES SABLES, including the equipment and the registration.

Learn more about the MARATHON DES SABLES

What will you need to bring for the MARATHON DES SABLES 2023? 

Your next participation in the 37th edition of the Marathon des sables must be prepared right now. For more information, check out our article on the preparation of the Marathon des Sables.

You too, take inspiration from the clothes worn by Rachid El-Morabity to cover the Southern Moroccan desert during the MARATHON DES SABLES 2022 : t-shirt, trail jersey, 3 in 1 short-cycling short, leggings, windbreaker, cap, beanie and gloves. 

Without forgetting your ultra-trail bag and your gaiters.

Bodycross invites you to order your special package directly on our online store.

Contact the Bodycross team for all your questions regarding: 

• The sizes of the products.
• The use of a particular garment.
• The online order and delivery details.