The course of this race was distinguished by terrain that required the participants to have special skills and high mental abilities in riding bicycles on shifting sands, passing through sharp turns and sandy and rocky slopes, where the contestants, who compete in pairs, faced difficult challenges in an enthusiastic atmosphere that reflected the spirit of adventure and challenge.
A member of the organising committee for this stage, Laurent Crak, confirmed in a statement to the Maghreb Arabe Presse agency that "the purpose of this race is to test the contestants' ability to adapt to the natural challenges of the desert", adding that the race course was designed to test their physical and mental abilities together.
In a scene reflecting the spirit of adventure, Canadian contestant Amira Sarraj said, "It is a unique challenge, the desert teaches us the meaning of patience and determination, cooperation with my partner in the race gave me an extra morale boost".
Amira added, "What distinguishes this race is the spirit of solidarity among all the contestants, when we see a pair facing difficulty, we all stop", expressing her admiration for the collective spirit that makes this rally "a human experience before it is a sports competition".
For her part, Moroccan contestant Malak Nadif said that "despite the difficulty of the course, especially in the cycling stage, the feeling of achievement when overcoming each step is indescribable, especially since the prizes for these competitions will be presented to equip facilities for children in Dakhla".
She continued that "competing in pairs makes the race more fun and safe, as we complement each other, and when one of us gets tired, the other encourages her to continue", describing this cooperation between women of different nationalities as "the true embodiment of the noble values of sport".
The general scene of the race was distinguished by diverse female participation from different ages and nationalities, as this human mosaic was embodied in moving scenes on the golden sands in a unique experience that transcends the boundaries of language and culture, and reflects the diversity that characterises this sporting event, which added a human and cultural dimension to the competition, and strengthened the values of solidarity that the race seeks to consolidate.
It is noteworthy that the "Sahraouiya Rally", organised under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI until 8 February, has established itself since its inception as a prominent women's sports event, thanks to its strong commitment to supporting social causes and the excellence of its sports programme.
This event has also transformed, after a decade of success, from a mere sporting event into an occasion to form common bonds between women in solidarity, transcending borders and disciplines to promote the values of sharing and synergy.
