Are you keen to run a marathon in Africa but don’t know which one to choose or what to expect? My goal of running a marathon on every continent (except Antarctica) before the age of sixty has so far taken me around Oceania (where I’ve run 20 odd events in New Zealand and Australia since age 15), North America (Los Angeles and New York City), Europe (Florence), Asia (Nagano), and now Africa, where I attended the Marathon International de Marrakech in 2024. Here is my full, unbiased review and all the information you need if you plan to attend the event in 2026.
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How did the Marrakesh Marathon come about?
The first Marrakesh (sometimes spelt Marrakech) Marathon was held in 1987. In the 1990s, Moroccan Olympian Abdelkader El Mouaziz won the event three times, all in under 2h10m. The course records currently stand at 2h06m32s by Hicham Laqouahi (male, set in 2020) and 2h24m49s by Fatima Ezzahra Gardadi (female, set in 2022).
The Marrakech Marathon is a World Athletics Label Road Race. The Association Le Grand Atlas organises the event in association with Agence Escapades and Travel Gateway. Like many marathons nowadays (including Nagano), the Marrakech Marathon has a time limit of 5 hours and 30 minutes.
In January [nyear], the Marathon International de Marrakech will celebrate its 36th edition
When is the next Marrakesh Marathon being held?
The next Marrakesh Marathon will be held on Sunday, 25 January 2026.
What is the weather like during the Marrakesh Marathon?
Being held in January, the temperatures are at their lowest for the region, as is the humidity. Dress for a cold start, knowing there is a strong chance of it getting warm as the day progresses, especially if it’s forecast to be sunny.
| Year | Conditions | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Partly cloudy throughout the day | 7 | 22 |
| 2024 | Sunny with some cloud cover | 4 | 24 |
| 2023 | Cloudy | 3 | 12 |
| 2020 | Cloudy | 5 | 15 |
| 2019 | Cloudy | 8 | 11 |
| 2018 | Cloudy | 2 | 13 |
The temperature may only be single digit at the start of the marathon, but by the time you're finished, it will be boiling (or at least pleasantly warm)
How many people complete the Marrakesh Marathon each year?
Don’t be fooled by the number of entrants being bandied about. More than 16,000 runners from all around the world, as stated on World Marathons and Ahuto in the lead-up to the 2024 event, were nowhere near the number of people who attended. If you sum up the people attending the marathon event, the half-marathon AND the kid’s marathon, it still leaves you with about 7,000 runners short. Maybe they’re also counting the supporters? Who knows.
The Marrakech Marathon is a comparatively small race, with finishers hovering around the 1,000 mark. Its most popular year was 2020, just before the COVID pandemic hit, and numbers seem to build up again to that pre-COVID record slowly:
| Year | Total | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,170 | 1,006 | 164 |
| 2023 | 838 | 740 | 98 |
| 2020 | 1,357 | 1,195 | 162 |
| 2019 | 1,150 | 959 | 191 |
| 2018 | 876 | 758 | 118 |
Marrakesh Marathon Finishers
Data courtesy of Marathonview and RaceTimerHow many (foreign) athletes attend the Marrakesh Marathon?
While many other marathon events can quickly produce this information, the data collected and provided for this event is extremely poor.
Of the 1,170 marathon finishers in 2024, 333 were identified as overseas entrants, 349 were from Morocco, and a staggering 488 could not be identified by club, city or country. Assuming those unidentified ones are split in the same proportion as those identified, 49% of runners would be from overseas.
Tour companies heavily promote the event by offering package deals, and this seems to be how several big running clubs from the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, and Morocco showed up at the start line.
Be prepared for an adventure: Information about the Marrakesh Marathon was limited in the lead-up and not always correct
When and how do you enter? (How much is the entry fee?)
The entry fee for non-resident international participants is EUR70.
Individual entry
Entries are accepted online via the official websites of the organization partners and in person on the days before the race at the race pack pickup location. There is no cut-off date and no early or late entry fee. It is possible to arrive in Marrakesh on Saturday and attend the race on Sunday.
I entered the event in early December, completing the entry form online. The process was a bit archaic/antiquated: Since I was a foreigner outside of Morocco, I was required to send the entry payment to a bank account in the name of Mustapha BATIT. It seemed a bit dodgy, but we went ahead (transferring the entry fee via Wise), and I received an email confirmation of my entry.
Package tour
If you prefer someone else to organise your trip to the Marrakech Marathon, the official websites also offer tour packages (as do other travel agencies specialising in sports events). Marathon packages – quoted from EUR199 to EUR380 in 2026 – may include the following:
- 3 nights’ (4- or 5-star) hotel accommodation (double or shared twin), including breakfast;
- Airport transfers to and from the hotel;
- City tour;
- Race Entry Fee;
- Delivery of your race number to your hotel;
- A short relaxing massage after the race.
Without a cut-off date, early or late entry fee, you could enter the Marrakech Marathon (in person) on the Saturday and run it on the Sunday
What is pre-race communication like?
Apart from an email confirmation of receipt of entry, there is no pre-race email communication, and there is no online list to check your entry. There are no updates on the official website(s), only the occasional Facebook post on the official Facebook page (in French only). I even emailed the event organisers some questions but never received a response.
Where to pick up your race pack (and what to expect)?
The race pack pickup location is a collection of tents dotted around the fountain at Place du 16 Novembre. The signage is only in French. When we attended on Saturday, there were no queues at all.
It is not immediately apparent where to pick up your race pack, so you may have to ask. Marathon participants receive a small carry bag containing a screen-printed, low-quality T-shirt, a race number (with a disposable RF timing chip on the rear—no need to return it after the race), and safety pins.
There is a tent for late entries but none for general inquiries. Nor is there a Sports Expo generally associated with a large marathon. Communication is also tricky because volunteer staff at race pack pickup speak little English. Loud music blaring across the square didn’t help either.
At least in 2024, the stage had a large advertising board where you could take some lovely pre-race photos.
The Marrakech Marathon may not have a Sports Expo, but this nice little spot to take pre-race photos
What is the schedule of events leading up to and on the day?
| Time and Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1000h to 1800h Friday 23 January 2025 and Saturday 24 January 2026 | Race Pack Pick Up |
| 0830h Sunday 25 January 2026 | Marathon Race Start |
| Until 1400h Sunday 25 January 2026 | Marathon Race Route Finish |
What do Marrakech Marathon finishers receive?
In 2024, all finishers received a medal. There are also awards for those placed first to sixth in each age group.
You also have the opportunity to purchase a photo from the official photographer. Tough, I found only two of me. There is no information on the official website/s about the event photographer.
Marathon finishers receive a medal. Travelling with carry-on luggage only, Paul gave his away to a kid (who was super-stoked).
When and where are the Marrakech Marathon race results published?
Race results are published on the Marrakesh Marathon website [2023 results can be found here]. The race timing services are provided by Racetimer, a Swedish company with an office in Morocco.
In 2024, even though I ran the Marathon, my certificate contains a picture of the half-marathon route. What an oversight…
This is what the 2024 finisher's certificate looked like. Hopefully, in future years, the incorrect route map has been fixed.
In 2024, organisers also displayed age group results. These were fairly meaningless, though, as many participants did not have their date of birth or age group recorded. The age groups for the awards are as follows:
| Age | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Open | Under 50 | Under 44 |
| Veteran | 50 and over | 45 and over |
Everything you need to know about the Marrakech Marathon Course
Below is the route map for the marathon, as well as recommended accommodations, points of interest, transportation hubs and eateries and food stores.
Key locations enroute
The first 15 km of the course lead through busy suburbs along significant boulevards, first heading northeast to and then south from the Water Museum. Between kilometres 15 and 19, the course runs outside the medina and passes several gates into the Old Town (called bab) before turning west to pass through Agdal Gardens (which also marks the halfway point).
The key locations of the route are below:
| Name | Approximate Distance |
|---|---|
| Royal Theatre and Gare Ferroviaire/Marrakech Train Station | 2km / 1.2mi |
| Musee D'Eau/Water Museum | 9km / 5.6mi |
| Bab Kechich | 15km / 9.3mi |
| Bab Debbagh-Kawtar | 16km / 10mi |
| Bab Ghmat | 18km /11.2mi |
| Bab Ahmar | 19km /11.8mi |
| Agdal Gardens | 21km / 13.1mi |
| Menara Gardens | 37km / 23mi |
Marrakech Marathon Course Description
The first 9 km of the route are downhill (50 metre drop in elevation), heading in a northeasterly direction. From there, it climbs gradually until it reaches 23 km (88 meters in elevation). There are some undulations from 23 to 33 km, but they are barely noticeable. There is a slight downhill from 34 to 40 km, again scarcely noticeable. The final 2 km are again slightly uphill.
You’ll have the sun in your eyes a lot, so wear sunglasses (and sunscreen).
The Marrakech Marathon course is undulating, with an initial decline and a final (though barely noticeable) incline
An international official expert at the IAAF, which was the former name of World Athletics (until 2019), has approved the route. The organisers also claim that the event meets specific criteria for eligibility for top lists, entry standards, world rankings, and world records. That said, there is no record or mention that the event complies with World Athletics rules, and no valid International Course Measurement Certificate has been sighted.
Learning from previous years (when some runners went off-course as directions weren’t clear), in 2024, there was at least one-course marshal whenever there was a left or right turn. In addition, there were large stickers on the road (although some had been destroyed by cars driving over them, specifically at roundabouts).
Course marshals and large stickers on the road made sure that no one would get lost (unlike in prior years)
While there are always the Atlas Mountains to the south and east to keep you company (at least on a clear day), from the 21 km mark onwards, there is not much to look at as the course meanders through suburbia, through new developments, past construction sites, open fields, shops, and the occasional small park.
Course entertainment and spectators
There was live entertainment at various parts of the route. The spectator crowd was small, mainly concentrated around the aid stations (and thinning out the further one got from the city centre). The largest crowd was concentrated around Menara Gardens, where the marathon course and the half-marathon course joined.
Official photographs can be purchased after the event, though don't count on it (there were only two of me for the entire race)
Traffic management
For the most part, runners had a dedicated lane closed to vehicular traffic—except at significant roundabouts. At those roundabouts, cars were allowed to pass between athletes, as directed by police. That said, drivers in Marrakech are some of the worst we have ever experienced, and they do not necessarily slow down when approaching a roundabout (even one with a waving policeman). Road cones placed incorrectly also did not contribute to the safety of participants (or provide clear directions for drivers).
In 2024, many Marrakesh residents were unaware of the marathon being on despite prominent signage on display in the lead-up to the event. The city had also made the day Leave your car at home day. The messages didn’t get through.
A significant bottleneck occurred around Menara Gardens, where the marathon and half-marathon courses joined. Cars were allowed to travel in one lane (west to east on Avenue Guemassa), while the east-west lane was closed to participants. Cars were stopped (intermittently) at the intersection of Avenue Guemassa and Boulevard Mohamed VI. Drivers were honking as they had no idea why they were stuck in traffic. Athletes had to run past the exhaust fumes of hundreds of cars queued at that intersection alone.
Queues of cars also formed in the Menara Gardens along Boulevard Mohamed VI (coming from the north), and there was nowhere to go as the intersection in front of them was closed off entirely.
If this sounds like chaos, it is. Much better traffic management is needed.
Anna K on Racecheck said that she had done a lot of marathons in her time, and they had all been very different. Because she was slow, just ducking in under the cut-off time, the roads seemed to have opened again, leaving her at times to negotiate 8 lanes of traffic, and nearly getting lost because the local public servants who were sorting the traffic, had disappeared.
Traffic management was haphazardous, with the worst congestion occurring at 36kms when marathoners and half-marathoners joined (among cars stuck in traffic)
What is supplied on the course?
Route/distance marking and timing equipment
Official timing was performed using standard RF-ID timing transponders. Timing mats or frames were located at the following locations:
- Start/Finish Line
- 10km
- 20km
- 27.5km
- 31km
- 37.5km.
These are indicated on the map above.
Pace guides
The Marrakech Marathon has no pacing guides.
From 15km, support stations provided not only water but also oranges, dates, bananas and raisins
Support Stations
In 2024, there was no information on the official website(s) about the locations of the support stations. Fortunately, a large display map at the race pack pickup showed that there would be support stations at 5 km, 10 km, 15 km, 20 km, 25 km, 30 km and 35 km. On the actual course, there was also a support station at 40 km. Information on the website(s) was also very limited regarding what the support stations would provide, including whether there would be any special drinks for non-elite/invited runners, such as electrolyte drinks. One website stated that support stations would only provide water and orange sections.
During the race, bottled water was provided at each support station. Bananas, dates, raisins and oranges were provided from the 15 km support station. At some support stations, the bananas were cut in half. And at some support stations, the officials removed the caps from the water bottles. Unfortunately, support station tables were quite bunched together. Thus, runners had to slow down considerably or stop to take what they needed.
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Small green signs with a red star indicated each support station about 150 metres in advance
Minor signs indicated each support station about 150 metres in advance. There were times when the water tables were first, whereas (at least in my opinion) water tables should always be last. One positive was that the bottles and trash from the support stations were being picked up promptly by city officials (not volunteers).
First Aid
Ambulances moved back and forth along the route (as much as they could among the road closures and traffic jams).
The poor quality of the registration and event databases had massive medical and support implications, and the event organisers compromised the health of the participants and others. Suppose first aid is required, and the runner is unidentified due to a database anomaly. In that case, medical workers will have no context for the person they are treating, as they do not have their name, emergency contact, or medical information recorded.
Toilets
No information was provided about toilets on the course. In 2025, there were only 12 toilets for 9,000+ (marathon and half marathon) participants at the start/finish area, and I did see one porta-loo at one support station, but I didn’t notice any other. I recommend to arrive early to use the toilets) or leave your nearby accommodation as late as possible.
Make sure you go to the bathroom before the race - there aren't many other options on the Marathon course
Start and Finish Area
The atmosphere is lively, with local crowds, musicians, and a mobile DJ at the start. However, the finish line can be chaotic. In 2025, according to one English half-marathon participant, there was a medal shortage, insufficient water, and crowd congestion.
What is it like to run the Marrakech Marathon?
Marrakesh Marathon - Race Report and Review
Overall
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Course Difficulty (1 = Difficult, 5 = Easy)
(4)
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Course Scenery
(2)
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Organisation
(1)
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Spectators
(2)
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Timing Points
(2)
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Support Stations
(4)
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Value for Money
(4)
My personal race experience
Start
The start was relatively orderly, with drones buzzing overhead, taking photos and many languages spoken. Despite that, all loudspeaker announcements were (only) in French. The field spread out pretty quickly. My pacing strategy was to use a custom Garmin Workout to keep my pace between 4m50s and 5m00s per kilometre for the entire race—nothing more complicated.
With the sunrise occurring at the same time the race started (8:30), the temperature at the start was only 9 (officially 4) degrees Celsius. Wearing only my singlet was insufficient – at least for the first 5km. In hindsight, I should have worn the official t-shirt on top of my singlet and disposed of it once I’d warmed up.
10km
Few people were out on the route to cheer us on. Occasionally, a cluster of people would appear at intersections, or entertainers would play music and dance. Our footsteps made the most noise. Short conversations between runners broke the initial monotony. The 5km support station with the bottled water was barely noticed or used.
As we headed north out of the city, shaded mainly by buildings, we took a sharp right turn at about 9.5km, exposing us fully to the rising sun as we headed south. I ran the 10km in 48m19s. It’s slightly faster than I wanted (but hopefully not too fast), and I’m on target for a sub-3h30m marathon.
20km
As the sun continued to rise, so was the temperature. When I finished, it was 24 degrees Celsius/75 degrees Fahrenheit, but it was just pleasant for now. After we had passed the walls of the Medina, the course became less attractive: new subdivisions, light commercial areas, palm trees, and occasional gardens.
The road surface was generally good: the roads were wide, and the camber was light. It was easy to roll through and let the kilometres tick over, minimising the effort by running the tangents from the curb to the centre of the road. I reached the 20km mark in 1h36m50s, still on my sub-3h30m schedule. I felt good at this stage. I was drinking at every support station, and by now, bananas were being offered.
30km
As the morning wore on, more people were out supporting the event, and more traffic was building up at the periphery. At times, cars and scooters appeared on the marathon route, but the roads were still wide enough to accommodate the occasional vehicle and us strung-out runners. Roundabouts, though, started to become bottlenecks. Some drivers were impatient or frustrated with having to wait, leading to some erratic moves and causing concerns for the safety of us athletes.
At 26km, I stopped at a palm tree for a quick pee. I hadn’t seen a portable toilet at the previous support station. I was still feeling pretty good at 30km, which passed in 2h26m07s – slowing ever so slightly with an estimated finish time of 3h25m.
40km
The following 10km were brutal. And I had not seen it coming, given the amount of training I’d done and my experience running 30+ marathons.
I always vow not to walk during a marathon. But for some reason, my resolve quickly failed me (and as early as 32km). I decided to walk two lamp posts and run 10, which was my MO for the rest of the race. I was hurting and tired (as expected), but I wasn’t in pain. It doesn’t seem logical now.
I always knew I would finish, and by this stage, I’d stopped checking my watch to stay on target. I should have. My lack of self-drive negated the effort and willpower I’d put in at the beginning. The 40km couldn’t come soon enough: 3h25m29s was meant to be my finish time. But I still had 2km to go.
Finish
I managed to pick myself up and run the last 2km. Coming around the corner with barely 500m to go was a relief. I cleaned the snot off my face and turned my smile on, not knowing where the official photographer/s would be (were there any?). I turned my large bum bag around and got my phone out. I knew I hadn’t achieved my goal time, so I was happy to lose a few more seconds to take some photos of the finish line as I approached it.
Crossing the finish line in 3h38m32s, I was happy to finish but annoyed at my lack of willpower.
After the finish line
The finish area was bulging with half-marathon runners when I finished at 12:09 (so 2h24m into the half-marathon), despite there being a separate finish line for each.
I was handed a medal and a small goodie bag containing a water bottle, a banana and some raisins. There were no maps of the finish area. So again, it was impossible to know what was available (toilets, massage/first aid tent, information booth, lost runners/family reunion area, etc). Sandra took a few photos, and my Africa marathon was ticked off.
I hobbled back slowly since our accommodation was only 1.7km from the finish line. I slept, hydrated slowly, and recovered for the rest of the afternoon—so much so that I could join a Street Food Walking Tour the following evening.
Results
My goal time before starting was 3h30m, and I finished in 3h38m at an average pace of 5m11s per kilometre. I was 395th out of 1,170 finishers—see the official results and Strava.
Since my details were not in the database, only my race number (222) was initially searchable. I informed the organisers and sent emails to four different email addresses, as (like the website/s) it was difficult to know which one was correct for the event organisers. Although I was told I may need to wait up to a week to see my name, it appeared a few days later. I then had to email again, asking for my country and date of birth to be included. My results now show my name, city (not country) and age group results, but half the timing location data is incorrect. All in all, it was a very poor experience.
Pros
- A good number of support stations
- Course volunteers were friendly
- Good entertainment on route
- Wide roads
Cons
- Much hype not backed up by reality
- Lack of communication (especially to independent travellers)
- Lack of information on the website(s)
- Slow or no response to email communications
- No start / finish venue maps
- No bag drop
- No pacers
- Very limited official photos
- Chaotic finish area
- The medal was the same for marathon and half-marathon
Would I recommend the Marrakech Marathon?
As you can tell from my report, the Marrakech Marathon was undoubtedly an experience I won’t forget. Despite the hype and the fact that things may turn out better than expected on the day, I wouldn’t recommend running the Marrakesh Marathon as your first marathon experience. There are better-organised marathons out there to complete as your first.
Suppose this is not your first marathon, and/or you like a challenge. In that case, be relatively self-sufficient (even better: speak French), and the Marrakesh Marathon is a good marathon to tick off your bucket list, especially now that you have this guide that provides (most of) the answers I didn’t have before mine. Running a marathon on the African continent with the backdrop of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains is unique (despite all the shortcomings).
The volunteers are all friendly, but if it's your first marathon, choose a better organised one (and run Marrakech another time)
How to get to Marrakech?
By Air
As overseas entrants and supporters, you will likely enter Marrakech via aeroplane. The closest airport is Marrakesh Menara Airport (Google Map Location, IATA: RAK), named after the suburb in which it is located, with daily direct flights from and to various cities in Morocco, Europe, and North America.
We travelled from New Zealand to Morocco, breaking up the journey with two stop-overs – in Singapore (for three nights) and London (for two nights). We arrived in Marrakesh 8 days before the event to acclimatise and ensure no feelings of jetlag from the long trip remained. Thanks to those lengthy stopovers, we had no jetlag whatsoever and (in hindsight) could have arrived on the Friday before the race.
Marrakech Menara Airport is located 5 km from the city centre (as the crow flies), so it’s easy to get to your accommodation from there. Options include the following:
Public ALSA buses L11/L12/L18/L20/L33
These public transit buses leave from the bus stop on Avenue Guemassa [Google Maps location], a 700metre/10-minute walk outside the Airport Terminal (turn left at the roundabout and cross the road if you want to head into the city), and cost MAD4 per person. Use Google Maps to look up the best connection for your destination.
ALSA Airport Shuttle Bus L19
The shuttle bus leaves from the parking lot just outside the airport terminal and takes passengers to the Marrakech train station [Google Maps location] and Jemaa El Fna [Google Maps location] (with interim stops near key hotels) for MAD30 per adult. You can return on the same ticket if your return flight is within two weeks.
Once you have withdrawn or changed currency (in the Airport Departures Hall), walk back to Arrivals, head outside, cross the road, and go up the few steps to the parking lot. The bus is clearly labelled all around. Payment of the fare is in cash on the bus.
From the airport, you can take the convenient ALSA Airport Shuttle (L19) or public ALSA Buses like the one above (L11/L12/L18/L20/L33)
Taxis
If you prefer the convenience of a taxi, head to the kech.cab taxi order counter at the arrival exit. You prepay your fare based on your destination by card or in cash (fixed price) and will receive a taxi ticket with a QR code. You then head outside, walk up to the taxi rank and scan your taxi ticket at one of the machines. Don’t forget to obtain the ticket dispensed by the machine—the ticket you need to give to the dispatcher, who will locate your taxi. It all sounds complicated (but it’s a million times better than haggling after a long flight).
You can also book your taxi online if you want to use the service in reverse.
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By Train or Bus
If you combine the Marrakech Marathon with a more extended trip around Morocco, you may also arrive by train or bus.
Marrakech’s ONCF Train Station [Google Maps location] is located at the roundabout of Blvd Mohamed VI and Av Hassan II (diagonally across from the Royal Theatre). The ALSA Airport Shuttle Bus L19 stops outside the station, and public ALSA buses also stop within walking distance (use Google Maps to look up the best connection for your destination). If you want to take a taxi from the train station, be prepared to negotiate the fare with the driver.
The two bus companies we have used and can recommend in Morocco (among several others) are Supratours and CTM. The Supratours Bus Terminal is located on the side of the Train Station on Av Hassan II (Supratours is part of ONCF). The CTM Terminal is located only a few minutes further at the intersection of Rue Abou Bakr Seddiq and Rue Zïneb Nafzia (about 800 m or a 10-minute walk).
Bus or train tickets can be booked online.
Coming from Casablanca, Rabat, Tanger or Fes, you can also travel to Marrakech by train - this Al Boraq between Tanger and Casablanca reached 315km/h.
Where to stay for the Marrakesh Marathon?
With potential road closures (and the mayhem traffic) on marathon day, you’d want to eliminate the use of any form of transportation. We, therefore, recommend choosing accommodation within walking distance from the start/finish area – in either the Hivernage or Sidi Mimoun areas. The city centre is flat, so walking 1-2km to the marathon is easy (and not a bad idea afterwards to prevent you from stiffening up). Our recommendations for accommodation near the Marrakech Marathon start/finish are (in order of walking distance):
| Name | Property Features | Price Indicator | Book Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barthelemy Guest House | 800m from Marrakesh Marathon start/finish Beautifully decorated guesthouse in the Hivernage Year-round outdoor pool Continental breakfast available Non-smoking rooms Close to Marrakesh Train Station | $ | Book Now |
| Chez Jerome et Pamela | Breakfast included | $$ | Book Now |
| Dar Othman | Recently renovated Riad Shared kitchen, lounge and terrace | $ | Book Now |
| Hotel and Riad Veridis | Non-smoking rooms On-site restaurant | $$$ | Book Now |
| Othmane Apartment | Walking distance to Marrakesh Airport | $ | Book Now |
| Riad Al Uzza | Certain documented environmental practices implemented at property. Non-smoking rooms 24-hour front desk On-site restaurant Indoor pool | $$$ | Book Now |
| Riad Anya and Spa | 1700m from Marrakesh Marathon start/finish 4-stars Swimming pool in the patio and a hot tub on the terrace Restaurant Non-smoking rooms | $ | Book Now |
| Riad Beni Sidel | 1800m from Marrakesh Marathon start/finish Indoor swimming pool Non-smoking rooms | $ | Book Now |
| Riad Dar Naomi | Non-smoking rooms 24-hour front desk On-site restaurant Indoor pool | $$ | Book Now |
| Riad Hilmuna | Certain documented environmental practices implemented at property. Non-smoking rooms 24-hour front desk On-site restaurant Indoor pool | $$ | Book Now |
| Riad Maialou and Spa | Certain documented environmental practices implemented at property. Non-smoking rooms 24-hour front desk On-site restaurant Spa and wellness center | $$ | Book Now |
Some properties within walking distance of the start/finish line are almost already booked out on the Marathon weekend, so book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
What we did
We stayed in a lovely little Riad in Sidi Mimoun, around the corner from the latter two on our recommendations list. Unlike Hivernage, Sidi Mimoun is not touristy but an area where local families live. Some older buildings have crumbled in the September 2023 earthquake, so it’s not the prettiest area at first glance. But it’s safe (the Royal Palace next door is guarded day and night) and quiet.
The Sidi Mimoun neighbourhood near Bab Agnaou is a great location for those wanting to stay in walking distance to the Marathon start/finish line
How do you go about supporting a participant?
If you want to support an athlete along the route, the best option is to travel by bicycle or foot. If you stay in Sidi Mimoun, Marrakech Green Wheels is your closest bike rental shop. For the reasons mentioned throughout this article, using a hire car to move between locations on the route is not recommended. Using public transit is also not recommended for the same reasons.
What we did
After sending me off at the start line, Sandra met me at 22 km, 37 km, and again at the finish line. Including the walk to/from the start/finish line, she walked about 13 km. With the benefit of hindsight, she would have hired a bicycle (as she did when she supported me during the Nagano Marathon.
As for us runners, it was initially incredibly cold for her, and as the day progressed, she peeled off the layers. Make sure to put on sunscreen (or apply it as soon as the sun rises).
Wearing layers is even more important for your support crew, as it starts bitterly cold and warms up as the sun rises
Public or event toilets were few and far between. Don’t rely on using porta-loos for runners on the route. Sandra didn’t see any toilets where she was passing. Almost busting, she found a (standard) toilet near the Carrefour Express in the Marrakech Prestigia Shopping Village (marked in the above map).
The point where the marathon and half-marathon routes join (at the intersection of Blvd Mohamed VI and Av Guemassa) gets super-crowded. After meeting me at the 37 km mark (just after that intersection), she ran to the finish line herself to be back there in time to meet me again.
With the half-marathon and marathon routes splitting and rejoining again just before the finish line, she had to navigate around fences and barricades, somehow ending up in the finish chute among all the runners (no one stopped her). Under normal circumstances, I would have met her after receiving my medal and goodie bag (there was a barrier runners had to walk through into the post-finish area). But with her sneaking through, she was only 20 metres before me as I ran across the finish line.
Sandra's final photo, just before I arrived - she somehow ended up in the finish chute
What to do in/around Marrakesh besides the marathon?
We started and finished our Morocco adventure in Marrakech, spending a total of 12 nights in the city. Here are our favourite things to see and do in/around Marrakech:
Here are some wellness treatments you may want to consider BEFORE your marathon:
- Hammam Semlalia or Hammam Nilo – for a more traditional hammam experience (you’ll have the top layer of your skin scrubbed off, but boy does it feel great afterwards);
- Massage at La Maison du Tui Na – that’s the one I went to. I’d contacted several massage services – first via email and then via WhatsApp – and eventually found this one. It wasn’t cheap but well worth it to get rid of some of the knots and help with some final hip flexors stretching. Unfortunately, I can’t remember the massage therapist’s name (it’s the name of a city, and she’s a physiotherapist – if that helps).
You can’t leave the city without some cultural experiences. After all, it’s Marrakech:
- Join a Free Walking Tour of Marrakech with Mustapha. It is an excellent way to get your bearings around the medina and old town, learn about this stunning city, and hang out with a local.
- Visit the Musée MACMA/Moroccan Art Museum – a private collection celebrating the work of contemporary and historic Moroccan artists (from paintings and old photographs to sculptures and everyday objects); the museum is open Monday to Saturday, 1000h to 1900h. The entry fee is MAD70 per person.
- Explore the Ben Youssef Madrasa, a beautifully intricate, restored Islamic school with 136 rooms spread around multiple courtyards. Initially built in 1565, it was a (boarding) school for students from around the world for 400 (!) years.
- Join a traditional concert at the Musée de la Musique on Monday, Wednesday or Friday evening from 1800h to 1900h. Go to the museum first (to learn more about traditional Moroccan music and instruments) – it closes at 1800h. The price for the concert (including tea) is MAD100 per person. Book online in advance so you do not miss out.
- Learn how to make traditional Moroccan moccasins in this Babouch-Making Workshop—a blissful cure for sore feet after the Marathon.
Another aspect of Moroccan culture is its cuisine. And there is no better way to experience Morocco’s culinary treasures than
- Learning how to cook up a storm Morocco-style with a cooking class at the Moroccan Culinary Arts Museum or La Maison Arabe
- Joining a Marrakesh Street Food Tour.
After a few days of rest, those of you who want to experience the Atlas Mountains may also want to check out these guided (multi-)day hikes in nearby Imlil (subject to weather conditions):
Marrakesh Free Walking Tours
Free Walking Tours are a great way to orientate yourself in a new city, learn what makes the place unique, and get a local’s perspective and quality recommendations. And while you don’t have to pay a fee upfront, if you enjoyed the tour, tipping your guide for their service is much appreciated – as is your honest review / constructive feedback.
In Marrakesh, we took the Walking Tour With Mustapha and enjoyed it.
And don't forget to do some fun stuff while in Marrakech - like joining a cooking class, a concert or a walking tour
Have you tackled the Marrakech Marathon?
This guide is based on my 2024 race experience, but every runner’s journey is unique. I’d love to hear your thoughts and tips if you’ve run the Marathon International de Marrakech. Help others prepare for this incredible race!
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