Marathon of the Sands, also known as Sahara Marathon - or as it is better known, Marathon des Sables, or MdS is a 6 day, 250 km (156 mi) ultramarathon (equating to the distance of six normal marathons). The first race started in 1986 after being initiated by French concert promoter Patrick Bauer. In 2009, the longest single stage was 91 km (57 mi) long. This race is held every year in the southern Moroccon section of the Sahara Desert. It is no surprise to note that Moroccan men won most of the races (Men's division) with Lahcen Ahansal winning from 1999 to 2007, his brother Mohammad winning from 2008 to 2010, then again in 2013 and Rachid El Morabity, winning in 2011 and then consecutively from 2013 to 2018. From 1986 to 1991 the race was dominated by French males and females.