Aziz Yachou

About

Aziz Yachou is a Moroccan ultrarunner and one of the sport's most consistent performers at the Marathon des Sables — the iconic 250km, six-stage self-sufficient race across the Moroccan Saharan erg widely described as the toughest foot race on Earth. In four MDS participations, Yachou has never finished lower than fourth place: he recorded 2nd in 2023 (19:29:09, behind Mohamed El Morabity) and 3rd in 2024 (20:44:37) against a field of international specialists, establishing himself as one of the most reliable elite performers at the desert ultra format. His older brother Hamid Yachou also competes at the top of the MDS field, and the brothers form a formidable Moroccan presence at the sport's most storied desert race. Also active on the broader trail circuit, Yachou placed in the top five at the 2024 Grand Trail des Templiers — one of the most competitive European ultra-trail events at 83km across the gorges of the Tarn in southern France — and has won domestic Moroccan events including the Sofac Trail Lac Lalla Takerkoust marathon (2024) and Trail Aurocher Oukaimeden (2022, 2023). UTMB Index 847.

Notable Wins

• — Marathon des Sables 2nd 2023 (19:29:09)
• — Marathon des Sables 3rd 2024 (20:44:37)
• — Sofac Trail Lac Lalla Takerkoust 2024
• — Trail Aurocher Oukaimeden 2022 & 2023
• — Grand Trail des Templiers 2024 top 5

Race History