{"id":11273,"date":"2025-01-01T16:58:51","date_gmt":"2025-01-01T15:58:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/4x4offroadmarrakech.com\/rallye-aicha-des-gazelles-2026-35-years-of-womens-adventure-in-the-moroccan-desert\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T18:11:28","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T16:11:28","slug":"rallye-aicha-des-gazelles-2026-35-years-of-womens-adventure-in-the-moroccan-desert","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/4x4offroadmarrakech.com\/en\/rallye-aicha-des-gazelles-2026-35-years-of-womens-adventure-in-the-moroccan-desert\/","title":{"rendered":"Rallye A\u00efcha des Gazelles 2026: 35 Years of Women's Adventure in the Moroccan Desert"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Rallye<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

The Rallye A\u00efcha des Gazelles du Maroc<\/strong><\/a> is a rally raid<\/a><\/strong> held every year in Morocco. This rally is unique in that it's reserved for women and isn't focused on speed. The goal of the rally is to reach as many checkpoints as possible while covering the shortest possible distance, using only a compass, a ruler, and a map to navigate. <\/p>\n

The 35th edition<\/strong> of the rally took place from March 27 to April 11, 2026<\/strong>, with an official start from Nice and a spectacular finish in Essaouira for the prize-giving. Held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, this edition once again brought together hundreds of women from around the world to take on the challenge of the Moroccan Sahara.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"A<\/span><\/div>

The Rallye A\u00efcha des Gazelles du Maroc: An Extraordinary Adventure<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

The Rallye A\u00efcha des Gazelles du Maroc is far more than a simple motor race. It's a unique human adventure that brings together women from all over the world in the majestic Moroccan Sahara.<\/strong> This rally-raid, created in 1990, offers an original and eco-responsible concept, far from the traditional clich\u00e9s of motor racing. <\/p>\n

\n

Here, no speed, no GPS, just old-fashioned navigation, off-road, with a compass, a ruler, and a map.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The goal?<\/strong> To reach a maximum of markers each day while covering as few kilometres as possible. A challenge that demands tenacity, willpower, and above all a great bond between the participants, known as \"Gazelles.\"<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

The 2026 Route: From Nice to Essaouira<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

The 2026 edition offered a rich and varied route, alternating dunes, ergs, rocky tracks, and technical passages:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Technical checks in Nice, then in Erfoud, the gateway to the desert<\/li>\n
  2. Official start from Nice<\/li>\n
  3. Prologue to ease the competition into gear<\/li>\n
  4. 6 navigation stages, including 2 Marathon stages (stages 4 and 6) where the Gazelles spend the night self-sufficiently, far from the main bivouac<\/li>\n
  5. Finish and prize-giving in Essaouira, an iconic coastal town<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

    A Committed and Responsible Event<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

    The Rallye A\u00efcha des Gazelles du Maroc is proud to be the only rally-raid in the world certified to the ISO 14001 environmental standard<\/strong>. The event is part of a CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) approach focused on women's empowerment and respect for the countries crossed. It highlights strong values such as solidarity, perseverance, and female courage. <\/p>\n

    Since its creation, the rally has always been innovative in terms of environmental respect. The organisation is committed to preserving the natural sites crossed and to respecting the local populations. At the bivouac, waste is sorted, recycled, or incinerated.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

    \"The<\/span><\/div>

    The Experience of a Lifetime<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

    Described as one of the adventures to do at least once in your life by Lonely Planet, the Rallye A\u00efcha des Gazelles du Maroc offers an unforgettable experience. It's a total immersion in the great open spaces of Morocco, where every dune becomes a challenge and every landscape a reward. Orienteering takes on its full meaning, and every marker reached represents a victory and a moment of pride. <\/p>\n

    Taking part in the Rallye A\u00efcha des Gazelles du Maroc means embarking on an adventure that transforms you.<\/strong> It's a unique chance to surpass yourself, to discover yourself, and to build strong bonds with the other participants.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

    \"A<\/span><\/div>

    Results of the 2026 Edition: The Podiums<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

    The 35th edition of the Rallye A\u00efcha des Gazelles du Maroc crowned talented crews in every category. With the notable presence of Moroccan Gazelles on several podiums, this edition confirmed the international dimension and the Moroccan roots of the event.<\/p>\n<\/div>

    4\u00d74 Podium<\/h3>\n

    \ud83e\udd47 198 \ud83c\uddf2\ud83c\udde6 Jawhara BENNANI \/ \ud83c\uddf2\ud83c\udde6 Dounia BENNANI (GREAT WALL MOTORS MAROC)<\/p>\n

    \ud83e\udd48 130 \ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7 Laetitia ESTIVAL \/ \ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7 Cyndie CHRISTAUD<\/p>\n

    \ud83e\udd49 242 \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udded Carine RANDIN \/ \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udded M\u00e9lanie GROGNUZ (Alcord Construction et Co SA)<\/p>\n

    First-Participation Challenge (4\u00d74) <\/strong>\ud83e\udd47 106 \ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7 St\u00e9phanie JARQUE \/ \ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7 C\u00e9line CHANCEL<\/p>\n

    \ud83c\uddf2\ud83c\udde6 Moroccan victory: For the second edition in a row, Jawhara Bennani<\/strong> takes the top of the 4\u00d74 podium<\/strong>, this time alongside Dounia Bennani<\/strong>, in the colours of Great Wall Motors Maroc<\/strong>. A source of national pride.<\/p>\n<\/div>

    Quad \/ SSV Podium<\/h3>\n

    \ud83e\udd47 39 \ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7 Elisabeth (Betty) KRAFT \/ \ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7 Celia MASCART (POLARIS FRANCE)<\/p>\n

    \ud83e\udd48 22 \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udded V\u00e9ronique DE SYBOURG-SIFFERT \/ \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udded Alix DE SYBOURG<\/p>\n

    \ud83e\udd49 40 \ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7 Axelle MASSON \/ \ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7 Ana\u00efs FREY (Gold Conseil)<\/p>\n

    First-Participation Challenge (SSV \/ Quad)<\/h3>\n

    \ud83e\udd47 30 \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udded Alexandra SAVIGNY \/ \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udded Blanche TSCHANTZ (Perla Blue)<\/p>\n

    SSV Challenge<\/h3>\n

    \ud83e\udd47 22 \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udded V\u00e9ronique DE SYBOURG-SIFFERT \/ \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udded Alix DE SYBOURG<\/p>\n<\/div>

    Crossover \/ Dacia Podium<\/h3>\n

    \ud83e\udd47 306 \ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7 Sabine CALLOT \/ \ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7 Marie-Pierre MOYNE PAGENOT HATTENVILLE (SABINE et MELANIE)
    \n\ud83e\udd48 300 \ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7 Ana\u00efs CUSSIGH \/ \ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7 No\u00e9mie DROGNON (JFC AUTOMOBILES)
    \n\ud83e\udd49 302 \ud83c\uddf2\ud83c\udde6 Sara BOUMALIK \/ \ud83c\uddf2\ud83c\udde6 Siham GOUMAIRI (Dacia Maroc)<\/p>\n

    First-Participation Challenge (Crossover)<\/h3>\n

    \ud83e\udd47 300 \ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7 Ana\u00efs CUSSIGH \/ \ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7 No\u00e9mie DROGNON (JFC AUTOMOBILES)<\/p>\n<\/div>

    E-Gazelle Podium<\/h3>\n

    \ud83e\udd47 603 \ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7 Armelle MEDARD LANG \/ \ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7 Cindy RIBEIRO (ALYZIA)<\/p>\n

    \ud83e\udd48 602 \ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7 Marie-Fran\u00e7oise RABHI \/ \ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7 Emilie SCHEUR (Cr\u00e9dit Mutuel Savoie-Mont Blanc)<\/p>\n

    \ud83e\udd49 600 \ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7 Noeline MAAS RHANNOU \/ \ud83c\uddf2\ud83c\udde6 Fairouz LAOUKILI DE MATTEO (CulturA)<\/p>\n

    First-Participation Challenge (E-Gazelles)<\/h3>\n

    \ud83e\udd47 602 \ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7 Marie-Fran\u00e7oise RABHI \/ \ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7 Emilie SCHEUR (Cr\u00e9dit Mutuel Savoie-Mont Blanc)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

    \"Rallye<\/span><\/div>

    A Caring and Inspiring Community<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

    One of the greatest strengths of the Rallye A\u00efcha des Gazelles du Maroc is the solidarity that unites the participants. These women, aged from 18 to 71, from all walks of life and all nationalities, support and help one another throughout the adventure. <\/p>\n

    The rally is also an opportunity to make exceptional encounters and to forge lasting bonds.<\/strong> Many Gazelles testify to the profound impact this experience has had on their lives, both personally and professionally.<\/p>\n

    Here are a few testimonials from Gazelles who took part in the Rallye A\u00efcha des Gazelles du Maroc:<\/p>\n

    \n

    Linda Domm\u00e9e<\/strong> (Project Manager, France): \"The rally gave me so much! On site, the first feelings are of feeling alive, free, and yourself. Forgotten are my extra kilos, my years, my aches, my obligations. Only one thing to worry about: moving in the right direction.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    \n

    Nathalie Breton<\/strong> (Mother of 2 young men, Montreal, Quebec): \"Surpassing yourself, stepping out of your comfort zone, being determined \u2014 these are the words most used to describe this rally\u2026 It's also an experience and feelings that can't be explained in words. The Rally has to be lived, with others, but above all with yourself\u2026\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    \n

    Maria Giraldo<\/strong> (Engineer, mother of 2 children, Colombia): \"The rally changed my life. After living this human and sporting experience, I'm a different woman. Now I think every problem has a solution, I'm more courageous, more creative.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

    One Rally, Three Pillars of Commitment<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

    The Rallye A\u00efcha des Gazelles du Maroc rests on three strong pillars of commitment:<\/p>\n