THE 21st MARRAKECH INTERNATIONAL MARATHON & HALF MARATHON

Marathon de Marrakech

The Marathon to remember in a city you will never forget

Sunday, 31 January 2010

Race Entry& Travel Arrangements 2010

2009 Results

We are offering FREE RACE ENTRY (Marathon or Half-Marathon) for runners who book one of our packages  (Limited offer) – we have selected two hotels for you with good standard and very close to the start and finish of the race.

Marrakech Marathon & Half-Marathon is a unique running experience in one of the most beautiful cities of the world

Race Entry: Marathon 50 Euros / Half-Marathon: 30 Euros

The Marathon course flat and fast and takes you by numerous historic sights and landmarks in Marrakech. Also the climate is perfect for runners!

Marathon: 42,195 km & Half-Marathon: 21,097 km (Approved by I.A.A.F & A.I.M.S)
Supply stations: The points of supply are available all at every 5 km (water, and orange sections) until arrival. The sponge stations are available every 5 km staring from the 7^th km.
Timing & Signposting:  Timing appears regularly during the course and by a clock at arrival - Signposting of the course materialized by ground and by panels.

Times of Start / Departure: Marathon: 08h30 AM & Half-Marathon: 08h30 AM

Temperature: Average daytime temperature: 20 °c a day.

Withdrawal of the Race Numbers: The numbers are to be withdrawn on presentation of the acknowledgment letter, a proof of identity and a medical certificate, at the Marathon Village on Friday 29 January 2010 & Saturday 30^th January 2010 between 10:00 and 19:00

Programme:

Friday 29^th January 2010:

10:00 AM: Opening of the village of the international marathon of Marrakech - Reception and inscription of the athletes - Withdrawal of the numbers

Saturday 30^th January 2010:

10:00 AM: Withdrawal of the numbers

10:00 AM: Fun Run (Welcome Run)

10: Am: Kids Run

14:00 Registration of the athletes & Race numbers withdrawal - Familiarisation with the course of the race (Marathon & Half-Marathon)

18:30, Presentation of the Elite Runners

Sunday 31^st January 2010:

07:00 AM: Welcome of the athletes

08:30 AM: Start of the Marathon & Half-Marathon

11:45 Prizes presentation for the Kids Run winners

12:00 Prizes presentation for the Half-Marathon Winners

12:15 Prizes presentation for the Marathon Winners

12:30 Prizes presentation for the Morocco’s Championship of the Marathon & Half-Marathon

15:00 End of the Race

Marrakech Marathon & Half-Marathon 2010

Under the high patronage of His Majesty Mohammed VI the King of Morocco, The International Marathon of Marrakech announces its 21st Edition on January 31st, 2010.
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.

More than 6000 runners (including runners from France, USA, UK, Germany, Italy, USA, Belgium, Holland,…) took part in the 20th Marrakech Marathon & Half-Marathon on Sunday 25th January 2009.

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

Suggested Travel Packages

Option 1: AKABAR Hotel 3 Star: £189 per person

Option 2: EL ANDALOUS Hotel 4 Star: £215 per person

Option 3: NASSIM Hotel 4 Star: £205 per person

Flight options to Marrakech

Extension of your stay in Marrakech – Excursions – Family & Friends Programme

Option 1: AKABAR Hotel 3***

* £189 per person on Bed & Breakfast (sharing Twin / Double room) - * Single room supplement: £20

The above price includes:

* 03 Nights Accommodation on Bed & Breakfast in the AKABAR Hotel 3*** in Marrakech

* Meeting and assistance at Marrakech Airport

* Transfers: Marrakech Airport – Hotel– Marrakech Airport

* FREE RACE ENTRY (Marathon or Half-Marathon) Guaranteed Registration and delivery of your race number to your hotel

* Our permanent assistance in Marrakech

- Extra Night: £18 per person sharing a twin or double room

- Single room supplement per extra night: £8

AKABAR HOTEL 3***

The Akabar Hotel is located in the Hivernage district. 5 minutes walk to the city centre and 1km to the old town and 15 minutes drive from Marrakech Airport (Close to the Start and Finish of The Marathon / Half-Marathon)

The hotel has 50 rooms fully furnished most of them have balcony – The rooms are have air conditioner, television with cable or satellite channels, international direct dialing telephone…  Facilities within the hotel include Restaurant, Swimming pool, Spa & Sauna, , information desk, internet, lobby, car parking, room service…

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Option 2: EL ANDALOUS Hotel 4****

* £215 per person on Bed & Breakfast (sharing Twin / Double room) - * Single room supplement: £55

The above price includes:

* 03 Nights Accommodation on Bed & Breakfast in the EL ANDALOUS Hotel 4**** in Marrakech

* Meeting and assistance at Marrakech Airport

* Transfers: Marrakech Airport – Hotel– Marrakech Airport

* FREE RACE ENTRY (Marathon or Half-Marathon) Guaranteed Registration and delivery of your race number to your hotel

* Our permanent assistance in Marrakech

- Extra Night: £26 per person sharing a twin or double room

- Single room supplement per extra night: £18

EL ANDALOUS HOTEL 4**** (Close to the Start and Finish of The Marathon / Half-Marathon)

In the heart of Marrakech residential area the "Hivernage", Andalous hotel assert with an Andalusian architecture, that is perfectly integrated into a sumptuous garden of 7000 m²

Situated at a walking distance of the historical "Djemâa El Fna" square, the "Koutoubia" minaret, the beautiful garden of "Agdal", the royal "Menara" and the congress palace, EL Andalous hotel joins tradition to modernity.

The 195 rooms whose 10 rooms with living rooms are entirely air-conditioned and heated (individual adjustment by remote control) Each room includes two double beds (1,40m of width each), a bathroom and separated toilets, a direct telephone, a television with satellite and built-in radio, and a private balcony.
El Andalous hotel has a Moroccan restaurant, international restaurant, a lounge restaurant with tapas "LA CASA", as well as a snack bar, a tearoom and an Eastern bar.
To make your stay the most comfortable, El Andalous hotel offers you a heated swimming pool, children pool, tennis court, a fitness area, a sauna, a Hammam, money change, laundry service, room service open 24h/24 and several other entertainments; ping pong, Billiard, Baby foot, adventure playground for children

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Option 3: NASSIM Hotel 4****

* £205 per person on Bed & Breakfast (sharing Twin / Double room) - *Single room supplement: £38

The above price includes:

* 03 Nights Accommodation on Bed & Breakfast in the NASSIM Hotel 4**** in central Marrakech

* Meeting and assistance at Marrakech Airport

* Transfers: Marrakech Airport – Hotel– Marrakech Airport

* FREE RACE ENTRY (Marathon or Half-Marathon) Guaranteed Registration and delivery of your race number to your hotel

* Our permanent assistance in Marrakech

- Extra Night: £22 per person sharing a twin or double room

- Single room supplement per extra night: £13

NASSIM HOTEL 4****

Centrally located in the modern district of Marrakech “Gueliz”, Nassim hotel lies just a short distance from the Djemma El Fna palace and very close to the shopping galleries and entertainment venues

Renovated in 2005, this modern 4-star city hotel comprises a total of 51 rooms. Fully air-conditioned, facilities within the hotel include a hall with a 24-hour reception desk, a café, a shopping arcade, a piano bar and a restaurant, it has also a small swimming pool on the roof, a sun terrace, gym, traditional Hammam, sauna, massages…
All the rooms are equipped with air-condition, direct telephone, satellite TV, private bathroom, bathtub or shower, bathroom amenities, hairdryer……

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FLIGHTS TO MARRAKECH

- Flights from Heathrow to Marrakech operated by Royal Air Maroc

- Flights from Manchester or Gatwick to Marrakech operated by Easyjet

- Flights from Luton or Bristol or East Midlands to Marrakech operated by Ryanair

- Flights from Gatwick to Marrakech operated by Atlas Blue

Please do not hesitate to contact us for the best deals on flights to MARRAKECH

Extension of your stay in Marrakech – Excursions – Family & Friends Programme

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….

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.

2009 Results & Overview

David Rutoh from Kenya won on Sunday the 20th edition of the Marrakech international marathon, crossing the finish line in 2 hours, 10 minutes and 31 seconds.

Rutoh finished the 42.195 km 17 seconds ahead of Ethiopia's Adnane (2:10:48), while Kenyan Sammy Kibet came third in 2:11:08.

Ethiopian Yeshi Esayias won the women's race for the second year in a row timing 2:29:52. 

Her countrywoman Jenet Teka Kahsay crossed second (2:38:22), followed by Namibian Beta Naigambu (2:39:11).

2008 men's Half-marathon title holder, Kenyan Allan Ndiwa, again crossed the finish line first in 1:02:12, while the second and third places were grabbed by his fellow countrymen, Dennis Ndiso (1:02:31), and Mark Tanui (1:02:38).

Malika Ashsah was the only Moroccan to win a gold medal as she finished first in the women’s half marathon in 1:09:53, followed by countrywoman, Asmae Leghzaoui (1:11:10) and Ethiopian Tigist Tufa (1:11:46).

The record of the men’s marathon was registered in 1999 by Moroccan Abdelkader Mouaziz (2:08:15), and that of women was recorded in 1994 by Romanian Adriana Barbu (2:29:21).

Kenya’s Bernard Rubin Boya and Pauline Kongo hold, since 1996, the record of the Marrakech international half marathon with 1:01:24 and 1:09:33, respectively.

The marathon, which started in 1987, attracted this year over 6,000 local and international athletes, including 60 Top Runners.