Stray Dog Finishes 52nd in Morocco’s Grueling Marathon des Sables

An abandoned dog has just become an internet celebrity after finishing 52nd in the provisional ranking of the Marathon des Sables which has just closed its curtain in southern Morocco.

And to come back down to earth a bit, Cactus was hanging around, when he saw the Marathon participants pass by and simply followed them. He could have done better than 52nd if they hadn’t slowed him down. But still...

The participants became so fond of him that they made him their mascot and absolutely wanted to give him a name: Cactus!!

Euronews writes on the subject: "At first a little wary, the desert convicts quickly adopted him by therefore baptizing him Cactus. And day after day, the marathon dog has made his way. The organizers have even calculated that Cactus would occupy, after three stages, an enviable 52nd place... if he were a human being! An exploit that earned him his little medal".

Let’s remember that this competition is a foot race (and a paw race, we would be tempted to add), open to walkers, in stages, in food self-sufficiency and in free pace over a distance of about 250 kilometers, with the obligation for each competitor to carry his equipment, food and mandatory equipment (even if we don’t know if Cactus had his doggy bag and his water bowl). More than 800 participants this year, including Cactus.