Intro:

Rachid Elmorabity won stage two of the Marathon des Sables on Monday to remain in the overall lead.

Script:

For many, this is the toughest endurance race in the World. This was stage two of the Marathon des Sables, runners completed 41 kilometres of the 250 they will cover in this six-day event.

Moroccan runner Rachid Elmorabity led on day one and he won again on Monday. He held off a sustained challenge from Salameh Al Aqra and Abdelkader Elmouaziz.

It took three hours 13 minutes and 43 seconds. Defending champion Mohamad Ahansal was fourth.

Laurence Klein continued to spearhead the women's challenge.

She was the fastest woman over the stage in her time of four hours, 30 minutes and eight seconds, making her 27th fastest overall.