RUN FOR FUN
This fantastic road race has a field of nearly thirty thousand women of all ages and many different nationalities, all running together in a spirit of celebration for women’s solidarity and the pure pleasure of finding themselves actors in this epic event.

The race is organised by the Moroccan Association Sport and Development, chaired by Nawal El Moutawakel, IAAF Council and IOC Member, an organisation whose Honorary President is HRH the Princess Lalla Meryem, older sister of the King of Morocco, HRH Mohammed VI.

A Fantastic Display
The participation and the notoriety of the race have grown exponentially, attracting women in 2001, to pass the symbolic figure of 20,000 in 2005 and over 26,000 in 2008.
Ethiopian athletes dominated the 2008 edition of the annual 10km road race for women - IAAF Silver Label - which was held today in Casablanca (18).

Ethiopian Firehiwot Dado succeeded last year’s champion Zhor El Kamch of Morocco, winning in 33:58, ahead of compatriots Aboudou Gelan (34:03) and Emebet Lencho (34:04). Moroccans filled the next three places - Moukim Rkia was fourth (34:10), and Samira Raif, 34, a veteran of the Moroccan team was fifth (34:17). The next runner, El Bahjaoui Hanan, finished in a distant 36:17.

The passion for this annual sports event continues unabated with more than 26,000 women participating, aged from 15 to 75 years and from all social classes. This mass of humanity congregated together for the start of the 10km in the heart of Casablanca, in the city’s famous Place Mohammed V, in an atmosphere of joy and friendship, a beautiful promotion for Moroccan womanhood and a symbol of its emancipation.

‘To run for the pleasure’ is the motto for this Casablanca women’s race whose main objective is to promote sport and the general social development of women, especially for girls from rural areas.

2008 Results:
1- Firehiwot Dado (Ethiopia) 33:58
2- Aboudou Gelan (Ethiopia) 34:03
3- Emebet Bacha Lencho (Ethiopia) 34:04
4- Moukim Rkia (Morocco) 34:10
5- Samira Raif (Morocco) 34:17
6- Hanan El Bahjaoui (Morocco) 36:17
7- Aya Abdelrhman Zamyed (Egypt) 36:45
8- Sara Ahmed Mohamed Abouhassan (Egypt) 36:54
9- Khadija El Aaribi (Morocco) 37:24
10- Bouchra Marzouki (Morocco) 38:30
11- Fatiha Bouhafah (Morocco) 39:41
12- Noura Falaki (Morocco) 40:18
13- Fatima Racham (Morocco) 40:48
14- Fatima Samouh (Morocco) 41:23
15- Abby Samuelson (USA) 43:26
16- Joan Benoit Samuelson (USA) 43:26
17- Meryem Tawfik (Morocco) 43:30
18- Fatiha Amrika (Morocco) 44:29
19- Judith Bongard (Switzerland) 45:38
20- Sofia Kadmiri (Morocco) 45:51

Helping Hands
The Moroccan Sport and Development Association, the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and the Regional Ministry of National Education jointly launched the Courir Pour La Vie project which focuses on actively encouraging rural Moroccan girls to take part in sport. The objective is to increase the confidence and independence of the girls through sporting activities and workshops so that they have the resources to continue their education rather than following the traditional pattern of leaving school early and undergoing arranged marriages.

International stars on hand
Several sporting and political personalities and celebrities have attended this splendid race in past years including Prince Albert of Monaco, IAAF President Lamine Diack, World and Olympic champions Michael Johnson and Edwin Moses, F1’s Emerson Fittipaldi ….

RACE ENTRY & TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

From £215 including:

* Three (03) nights accommodation on Bed & Breakfast in a 4 star Hotel in Casablanca

* Transfers: Casablanca Airport - Hotel - Casablanca Airport

* Transfer to the Start of the Race

* Guaranteed Race Entry

* Half day guided tour of Casablanca

* Our assistance

Suggested Hotels in Casablanca: RAMADA ALMOHADES HOTEL 4**** or OUM PALACE HOTEL 4**** or DIWAN HOTEL 4**** or Similar

- Single room supplement (for 3 nights): £50

- Extra night per person: £55

- Single Supplement per extra night: £18

Flights to Casablanca

For the best deals on the Flights to Casablanca please email us or call our Flight Centre on 020 7371 2030

ROYAL AIR MAROC operates daily direct flights from London Heathrow (Terminal 2) to Casablanca (flying time is under 3 hours)

EXCURSIONS & NIGHTS OUT (prices on request)

HALF DAY GUIDED TOUR OF RABAT including: Visit of the Chellah Ramparts, Oudayas Kasbah and the Mohammed V Mausoleum

FULL DAY EXCURSION TO MARRAKECH including: Return transfer to Marrakech + Guided city tour of Marrakech + Lunch in a authentic Moroccan Restaurant.

DINNER AT RICK’S CAFÉ Transfer to the famous Rick’s Café + Dinner in an authentic “Casablanca movie” set.

OTHER HOTELS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST

While you are not running you have the opportunity to enjoy the sightseeing of Casablanca, spend some time on the beaches of Casablanca and enjoy the sunshine or go for a day or half day excursion to Rabat……

Partners, Family & Friends

If you wish to travel with your family / partner / friends there are plenty of things to do / see: (City tour of Casablanca – Excursions “Rabat / Mohammedia” – Casablanca by Night and many more. And while you are running they are welcome to join the spectators in several spots to see you come through the Finish.

Extending your stay in Morocco

After the race you can extend your stay in Casablanca and / or spend one night or two in the Magical city of MARRAKECH with plenty of things to do and many places to see.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information on a Tailor-made programme to suit your requirements and budget – or for more information on Race Entry, Accommodation, Transfers, Non-Runner (Accompanying persons) Programme, Excursions and other travel arrangements...

CASABLANCA

Casablanca has a magic name around the world. This dynamic metropolis is a wondrous mix of high-tech intertwined with Art Deco and neo-Moorish architecture incorporating all those features that beguile visitors. Although forever crystallised in cinemagoer’s minds as the place where Humphrey Bogart languidly requested “play it again, Sam” Casablanca is the fourth largest city in North Africa and the centre of Morocco’s industrial heartland.

Although throughout the day, Casablanca throbs with activity, during the evening visitors can drink in the sea air on the famous Corniche, the area preferred by those looking for night life

28 Km to the north stretch sandy beaches, with luxury hotels, a racecourse, a yacht-club and an 18-hole golf course beside the sea. This is MOHAMMEDIA, the Casablancan’s favourite resort which also boasts one of the country’s most active ports.