THE 20th MARRAKECH INTERNATIONAL MARATHON & HALF MARATHON

Marathon de Marrakech

The Marathon to remember in a city you will never forget

Sunday, 25th January 2009

Marrakech - Morocco

Marrakech Marathon & Half-Marathon 2009

Under the high patronage of His Majesty Mohammed VI the King of Morocco, The International Marathon of Marrakech announces its 20th Edition on January 25th, 2009.
Thousands of runners from all over the world (including France, UK, Holland, Argentina, Germany,…..) are expected to take part in this fantastic sporting festival
The magical city of Marrakech offers an exceptional setting for this prestigious event, with a very mild (20 to 25 °C daytime temperature) in January and a beautiful circuit, considered as one of the fastest in the world, it is laid out across the roads along the Palm trees area of Marrakech, orange and olive trees of the MENARA Gardens and also the ramparts of the old and legendary Medina of Marrakech.

2008 Results & Overview

More than 7000 runners (including 2200 runners from France, USA, UK, Germany, Italy, USA, Belgium, Holland,…) took part in the 19th Marrakech Marathon & Half-Marathon on Sunday 27th January 2008.

MARATHON (MEN)
1- Siyoum Debele Lemma (Ethiopia): 2h 10mn 48sec.
2- Sammy Chumba (Kenya): 2h 10mn 56sec.
3- Adil Annani (Morocco): 2h 11mn 05sec.
4- Simon Kariuki Njoroje (Kenya): 2h 11mn 34 sec.
5- Hakim Radouan (Morocco): 2h 12mn 31sec.
6- Ben Kimwlde (Kenya): 2h 15mn 05sec.
7- Vicente Labrador Ramos (Spain): 2h 15mn 38sec.
8- Mohamed Sahib (Morocco): 2h 15mn 38sec.
9- Molla Salomon (Ethiopia): 2h 17mn 57sec.
10- David Sang (Kenya): 2h 18mn 24 sec.

HALF-MARATHON (MEN)
1- Allan Ndiwa (Kenya): 1h 01mn 22sec.
2- Mark Tanui (Kenya): 1h 01mn 25sec.
3- Sammy Kibet (Kenya): 1h 01mn 48sec.
4- Ruben Indongo (Namibia): 1h 02mn 00sec.
5- Philemon Terer (Kenya): 1h 02mn 14 sec.

MARATHON (WOMEN)
1- Yeshi Esayias (Ethiopia): 2h 35mn 40sec.
2- Kebede Addis Asrat (Ethiopia): 2h 48mn 14sec.
3- Yepyator Real (Kenya): 2h 49mn 28sec.
4- Rita Del Bene (Italy): 2h 50mn 05sec.
5- Béatrice Serafini (Italy): 2h 50 06sec.

HALF-MARATHON (WOMEN)
1- Kareema yassim (Bahrain): 1h 13mn 03sec.
2- Florence Chepkerui (Kenya): 1h 13mn 33sec.
3- Bouchra Sahli (Morocco): 1h 14mn 03sec.
4- Samira Raif (Morocco): 1h 15mn 21sec.
5- Pauline Gituga (Kenya): 1h 15mn 31sec.

The Marrakech Marathon Records

The Moroccan Abdelkader Mouaziz still holds the Marrakech Marathon record (2h 08mn 15sec) since 1999
The Marrakech Marathon (Women) record is held by the Romanian Adriana Barbu (2h 29mn 21sec), since 1994.
Half-Marathon (Men) record: Allan Ndiwa (Kenya): 1h 01mn 22sec in 2008
Half-Marathon (Women) record: Pauline kongo (Kenya): 1h 09mn 33sec, since 1996.

RACE ENTRY 2009

Marathon: €40
Half Marathon: €25

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

3 star Package (from the 23rd to 26th January 2009)

Suggested Hotels in Marrakech: Oudaya Hotel 3*** or Mont Gueliz Hotel 3*** or Akabar Hotel 3*** or Amine Hotel 3**** or Similar

 Ø       Price per person for 3 nights (sharing Twin or Double Room): £159

Ø       Single room supplement (for 3 nights): £35

Ø       Extra Night (per person & per night): £25 (either 23^rd or after 25^th January 2009)

Ø       Single Room Supplement per extra night: £12

 The package includes:

v       Three (03) nights accommodation in the selected hotel in Marrakech on Bed & Breakfast

v       Transfers: Marrakech Airport – Hotel – Marrakech Airport

v       Transfer to the start of the race

v       Our permanent assistance in Marrakech

 Not included:

- Air fare (please see options below)

- Race entry – Marathon or Half Marathon (Please see options above)

- Travel Insurance

4 star Package (from the 23rd to 26th January 2009)

Suggested Hotels in Marrakech: NASSIM HOTEL 4**** or IMPERIAL HOLIDAY HOTEL 4**** or Similar

 Ø       Price per person for 3 nights (sharing Twin or Double Room): £189

Ø       Single room supplement (for 3 nights): £55

Ø       Extra Night (per person & per night): £32 (either 23^rd or after 25^th January 2009)

Ø       Single Room Supplement per extra night: £18

The package includes:

v       Three (03) nights accommodation in the selected hotel in Marrakech on Bed & Breakfast

v       Transfers: Marrakech Airport – Hotel – Marrakech Airport

v       Transfer to the start of the race

v       Our permanent assistance in Marrakech

Not included:

- Air fare (please see options below)

- Race entry – Marathon or Half Marathon (Please see options above)

- Travel Insurance

5 star Package (from the 23rd to 26th January 2009

Suggested Hotels in Marrakech: KENZI FARAH HOTEL 5***** or IMPERIAL BORJ HOTEL 5***** or Similar

 Ø       Price per person for 3 nights (sharing Twin or Double Room): £215

Ø       Single room supplement (for 3 nights): £75

Ø       Extra Night (per person & per night): £35 (either 23^rd or after 25^th January 2009)

Ø       Single Room Supplement per extra night: £25

The package includes:

v       Three (03) nights accommodation in the selected hotel in Marrakech on Bed & Breakfast

v       Transfers: Marrakech Airport – Hotel – Marrakech Airport

v       Transfer to the start of the race

v       Our permanent assistance in Marrakech

Not included:

- Air fare (please see options below)

- Race entry – Marathon or Half Marathon (Please see options above)

- Travel Insurance

Riads Package (from the 23rd to 26th January 2009)

Suggested RIADS in Marrakech: Riad Dama or Riad L’ Oasis or Riad Magellan or Similar

 Ø       Price per person for 3 nights (sharing Twin or Double Room): £225

Ø       Extra Night (per person & per night): £38 (either 23^rd or after 25^th January 2009)

The package includes:

v       Three (03) nights accommodation in the selected RIAD in the old Medina of Marrakech on Bed & Breakfast

v       Transfers: Marrakech Airport – Riad – Marrakech Airport

v       Transfer to the start of the race

v       Our permanent assistance in Marrakech

Not included:

- Air fare (please see options below)

- Race entry – Marathon or Half Marathon (Please see options above)

- Travel Insurance

While you are not running you have the opportunity to enjoy the sightseeing of Marrakech and its surrounding (Ourika Valley, High Atlas Mountains,…)

Partners, Family & Friends
If you wish to travel with your family / partner / friends there are plenty of things to do / see in and around Marrakech. 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 Marrakech with plenty of things to do and many places to see; and / or spend one night or two in the seaside city of Essaouira….

FLIGHTS TO MARRAKECH

For the best deals on flights to MARRAKECH, please contact our Flight Centre:

MENARA TRAVEL LTD (fully bonded tour operator)

220c Blythe Road, London W14 0HH

Tel:  0207 371 2030 - Fax: 0207 371 4123

E-mail: info@runninginspired.co.uk  

EXCURSIONS

In & Around Marrakech

Historical Tour of Marrakech: Surrounded by a luxuriant palm-grove, Marrakech is also known as the southern pearl. The monumental architecture of the Koutoubia, Bahia’s palace, the Saadian tombs, will take you to the always vibrant life of the Djemaa el Fna square (Half-day tour)

Visit the SOUKS: The heart of city life, the Medina will captivate you. Each craftsman corporation is represented in its own district. There everything is made, sold, swapped...Don’t forget to bargain!! (Half Day Tour)

Excursion to the OURIKA VALLEY: Located at the foot of the famous ski station OUKAIMEDEN, the lushly OURIKA valley slowly rises up to the first hills of the High Atlas where typical villages are rested. It is a pure wonderful place where the birds only disturb the silence. Ourika is also famous for its local pottery. Lunch included

Excursion to ESSAOUIRA: Formerly called Mogador, the history of Essaouira-located on the Atlantic coast, goes back to the VII century B.C it has been a centre of activity on the African coast during several periods of its history. Essaouira is now a charming little fishermen town with a mild climate all year round.

Excursion to PLATEAU OF KIK: Adventure by Land Rover to the desert track roads of the KIK PLATEAU and the LAKE OF LALLA TAKARKOUST - Lunch at a local restaurant under nomad tents and return to Marrakech via the mountainous road of the OUIRGANE VALLEY and the Berber VILLAGE OF ASNI.

Excursion to OUARZAZATE AND THE KASBAHS: This round trip of 400 km leads over the Tizin’n Tichka pass at an altitude of 2.269 m. The various landscapes dotted with Berber villages are superb. Visit of the famous Kasbah of Aît Benhaddou, and the Kasbahs of Tifoultout and Taourirt. (Lunch included)

Other Activities:

A Day with the Berbers (Excursion / Hiking in the High Atlas Mountains),
Tennis, Clay Pigeon shooting, Quad Biking, Camel Riding, Horse Back Riding in the foothill of the High Atlas Mountains ….

Jet Skiing, Fishing, Mountain Biking – 4x4 Drive, Karting, Moroccan Cuisine Workshops, Henna Party,...

MARRAKECH BY NIGHT

Fantasia Night: Located outside the city, the Kasbah offers a stunning view on the palm-grove. There you will enjoy a traditional dinner-show with dancers and later in the evening the Fantasia will start...(Evening show)

The PACHA MARRAKECH can stand up against any of the world’s greatest clubs and is celebrating two years filled with dreams, extravagance and innovation… - The Chill Out Bar and its spacious sheltered terrace, Cocktails and Tapas and DJ until 2am
Jana: a top quality table – true sophistication Oriental style
Crystal: gourmet cuisine and convivial hip ambience
The Cour: for Receptions for up to 3000 guest

LE COMPTOIR DARNA: Belly-dancers perform as kaftan-clad waitresses whisk around with plates of couscous at Le Comptoir Darna in the Hivernage. In the upstairs bar, drinks and tapas are served, while you'll find kitten-heeled Marrakchis lounging on cushions and smoking their hubbly bubblies in the courtyard outside.