Marathons & Running in Morocco

The Marathon des Sables is the most famous foot race on Earth — a 250-kilometre self-supported ultra-marathon across the Sahara Desert. Competitors carry everything they need (food, sleeping bag, medical kit) on their backs and run through temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius. The race covers six stages over seven days, including one overnight stage. First run in 1986, it has become the defining test of endurance running. Registration typically opens 12-18 months before the race and sells out quickly.

The Marrakech International Marathon is Morocco's largest road race and one of the best winter marathons in the world. The course loops through the new city (Gueliz), past the Koutoubia Mosque, along the Agdal gardens, and through palm-lined avenues with the Atlas Mountains visible on the horizon. The January timing (average 15-18 degrees Celsius at race start) makes it a popular alternative to cold-weather European marathons. The half marathon and 10K attract runners of all abilities.

UTAT is Morocco's premier mountain trail race, circumnavigating North Africa's highest peak, Jebel Toubkal (4,167 m). The 105-kilometre course accumulates over 6,000 metres of vertical ascent through Berber villages, river valleys, and high mountain passes that reach 3,600 metres. The shorter options (60 km and 26 km) make the event accessible to less experienced trail runners. The October timing offers cool mountain temperatures and autumn colours in the valleys.

The Sahara Marathon is one of the most unusual and moving races in the world. Run through the Sahrawi refugee camps near Tindouf, it combines endurance running with cultural exchange and humanitarian awareness. The course passes through camps housing Sahrawi refugees, with children and families cheering from the roadside. The entry fee includes meals and accommodation in the camps, and the event raises funds for humanitarian projects. It is not a typical race — it is an experience that changes how participants think about running.

The Trail du Toubkal is a spring mountain race that takes runners through the most spectacular scenery in the High Atlas. The 45-kilometre course climbs from Imlil (1,740 m) through walnut groves, across river valleys, and up to the Toubkal refuge (3,207 m) before descending back to the start. The shorter 25 km and 15 km options follow the lower valley trails and are accessible to runners with basic trail experience. May timing provides warm valley temperatures but cool, potentially snowy conditions at altitude.

The Casablanca road race is Morocco's most accessible major running event. The course follows the Atlantic Corniche from the Hassan II Mosque along the seafront boulevard, passing the Art Deco city centre and the modern Maarif district. The November date provides ideal running temperatures (15-20 degrees). The 10K distance attracts a huge field of first-time racers and casual runners, while the half marathon draws a competitive crowd. It is the perfect race for visitors who want a running experience without the commitment of a full marathon or ultra.