16,000 Runners Set for Africa's Oldest Marathon in Marrakech

Africa's oldest marathon is gearing up for its biggest celebration yet, with over 16,000 runners from across the globe preparing to race through Marrakech's storied streets on January 25.

The 36th Marrakech International Marathon and Half-Marathon has redesigned its course to help athletes push their limits while still soaking in views of historic gardens, ancient ramparts, and palm-lined boulevards. Race organizers listened to feedback from previous years and created a faster, more fluid route that could inspire new record times.

Mohamed Knidiri, president of the organizing Grand Atlas Association, announced that elite runners from Kenya and Ethiopia will compete alongside Morocco's finest athletes. Among them is Fatima Ezzahra Gardadi, who earned bronze at the 2023 World Marathon Championships.

The event holds special status as a qualifying race for World Championships and Olympic Games. It also boasts the African continental record of 2:06:32, a testament to the course's world-class standards.

This year brings fresh energy with a new 5-kilometer public race on January 24, open to runners of all ages and abilities. Organizers wanted to make running accessible to everyone and build excitement before the main competitions.

The Ripple Effect

The marathon's impact extends far beyond race day. This event has launched the careers of legendary Moroccan distance runners who went on to win London and New York marathons and claim world championship titles.

Abdelkader El Mouaziz held the Marrakech record for 13 years before winning the 2000 New York Marathon. Jaouad Gharib, another Marrakech alumnus, became a double world champion with times that still inspire today's runners.

The marathon helps put Morocco on the global running map while giving local athletes a home course advantage to chase their Olympic dreams. Support from Morocco's Ministry of Sports and the Royal Moroccan Athletics Federation ensures the event maintains its world-class reputation.

Race day kicks off at 8 a.m. for the marathon and 9:30 a.m. for the half-marathon. A new digital card system will manage the massive field of runners and streamline results for spectators following along.

Nearly four decades after its founding, the Marrakech Marathon continues building bridges between cultures through the universal language of running.