Smara(Saharawi Refugee Camps) February 25, 2016 (SPS)- Spanish, Algerian and Saharawi athletes dominated the Sahara Marathon, which kicked off from the Saharawi refugee camps of al-Ayun as part of the festivities celebrating the 40th anniversary of the proclamation of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).
Spanish runner Vicente Grandi Duque won the 42km race, followed by his compatriot, Juan Idro Garcia, and Algerian Taibi Djamel.
In women's Sahara Marathon events, Italian Bousu Erica won the 42km race, ahead of Swedish Amanda and Italian Jiovana Sançone.
Algerian runner Thabet Ouadheh ranked first at the 21km event, ahead of his compatriots Bouabdellah Ben Ahmed Aissa (2nd) and Yacoub Hichem (3rd).
In women's 21km event, Spanish Monts Diaz won the race, ahead of her compatriot Seaquia Diaz (2nd) and Swedish Leeva (3rd).
Saharawi athlete Amaidan Salah dominated men's 10km race, ahead of two Algerian, namely Salah Seif Eddine and Hacene Seddiki.
In women's 10km event, Spanish Maria Noça Coblen ranked first, ahead of French Anne Terainqual (2nd) and Algerian Nawel Chabi (3rd).
Men's 5km race was won by Algerian Rass Naadja Mabrouk, ahead of two Saharawis runners, namely Salah Maatallah Salek (2nd) and Mohamed Mustapha (3rd).
Saharawi athlete Mennana Aba Cheikh won women's 5km event, while her compatriots Nanna Berah ranked second and Aichata Mohamed Lamine third.
Sahara Marathon races started successively started from the Saharawi refugee camps of Aousserd, al-Ayun and Smara.
The participants at the 16th Western Sahara marathon (Sahara Marathon) said they competed in the sporting event to show support for Saharawi people' fight for their independence and their right to self-determination.SPS
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