Assahafa.com
Moroccan athletes dominated the 36th edition of the Marrakech International Marathon and Half Marathon on Sunday, taking first place in both the men’s and women’s marathon and half marathon events.
In the men’s marathon, Moroccan athlete Abdelhadi Labäli took first place, finishing the distance in 2:07:34, followed by Ethiopian Mekonen Hayimoro Yele (2:08:19) and Youness Benar (2:08:42).
In the women’s race, Moroccan Hayat Benhima finished on top after covering the distance of 42.195 km in 2:24:48, ahead of her compatriots Oumaïma Saoud (2:25:05) and Kaoutar Farkoussi (2:26:18), in a race marked by total Moroccan domination of the podium.
Hayat Benhima also managed to break the marathon record of 2 hours, 24 minutes, and 59 seconds, held by athlete Fatima-Ezzahra Gardadi since the 2022 edition (32nd edition).
In the men’s half marathon, Morocco’s Hicham Ouladha won this year’s title after covering the distance of 21.097 km in 1h02min00s, ahead of his compatriots Chakib Lachgar (1h02min01s) and Ayoub Karym (1h02min01s).
For women, Moroccan athlete Fatima Ezzahra Birdaha ranked first after completing the distance in 1:09:40, ahead of her compatriots Meryem Azrour (1:09:46) and Nazha Machrouh (1:10:28).
The award ceremony for the winners was attended by Wali of the Marrakech-Safi region, Governor of the Prefecture of Marrakech Khatib El Hebil, President of the Regional Council Samir Goudar, Olympic champion Nawal El Moutawakel, as well as several elected officials and civil and military figures.
Organized in partnership with the Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports, the Royal Moroccan Athletics Federation, and the municipal and prefectural councils of Marrakech, the Marrakech International Marathon has established itself as a true training ground for the big names in this discipline, particularly Moroccans.
With over 16,000 runners of different nationalities participating, this event was marked by the adoption of a new marathon route, designed to be faster and smoother, overcoming certain technical difficulties encountered in previous editions, while the usual half-marathon route was kept the same.
The program for this edition also included a 5 km race open to the general public, aimed at encouraging participation in sports and broadening the base of participation to all age groups.
Source: map
