16-Year-Old French Girl to Tackle Grueling Marathon des Sables in Morocco

Lys Girard-Fialon is in the first year of high school in Toulouse. Passionate about sports and music, the young girl is impatient to participate in the next edition of the Marathon des Sables. She discovered sports with her parents who loved to take her hiking, skiing and even climbing mountains. "I did track and field, swimming and gymnastics, and now I do artistic roller skating in competition and running as well as skiing in the winter," is written on the official website.

Her desire for the Marathon des Sables came from her father’s experience. Grégory participated in this race in 2021. "I hesitated because it’s a long and difficult race. But I very quickly accepted, because the adventure aspect as well as the fact of discovering the desert pleased me a lot. Moreover, it is an objective and a challenge to achieve together with my father." Lys is excited about the idea of living such an adventure even if she fears the heat. "I know that in 2021 the temperatures were extreme, I hope it won’t be the case. The heat scares me a bit. I also dread the fourth stage because it’s the longest and comes after already three days of racing."

The Marathon des Sables has often recorded the participation of several members of the same family. In addition to Lys and her father, the organizing committee has announced the participation of a Belgian family of five people. The 16-year-old girl hopes to live an "unforgettable adventure".