The 2015 Marrakech International Marathon Race Report

  This was my third year in a row running the Marrakech International Marathon here in Morocco. Since I live in Marrakech I chose to use this race as my main marathon, my "A" race, for the last three years. And each time I have run the race I have set a new personal best time and this year was no different. The weather couldn't have been nicer on race morning and the crowd assembled to run the race this year was excellent and as always I'm  amazed at just how many non-Moroccans show up to run the race. 

Registration

   I decided this year again to wait until race weekend before registering for the race. The worrier that I am always gets very nervous in the weeks leading up to the big race not because I'm nervous about the race but because I'm worried about the race filling up and there not being any spots. This is a completely unfounded fear since the marathon, while having a large number of runners, in my experience is far from filling up. That being said I've never found a maximum number of runners allowed so in theory It could fill up (notice the worrying side of me).

  So, with these worries in mind my family and I returned to Marrakech from a few days of traveling just in time to head down to the Marrakech Marathon Village (their version of a marathon expo). Registration went with out any problem. I got my race bib and t-shirt, wandered around for a bit then headed home to rest up for the next day. 

Race

  One of my dreams is to qualify and run in the Boston Marathon so every year my goal is to try to get my marathon time down a little more in effort to reach a qualifying time for Boston. I know I'm still far from qualifying for it but I figure little by little I'll get there. So, again this year I was aiming to improve a little more towards my goal. Okay not a little, a lot. I was hoping to knock 15 minutes off of last years PB and finish with a 3:15 - 3:18.  

  Since the race start is only an eight minute drive from my house I drove down to the old city (the race start/finish area is just outside one of gates in the old city walls) and found parking just a few minutes before the race start. While Marrakech is a big city, more than a million people, the race isn't really that big. So, the starting area was not overly crowded as is the case every year. However, the line for the porta-toilet was very long.

  A few minutes after eight o'clock the pros were off followed immediately by the rest of us. The first few miles of marathons are always the most fun to me. Your running with hundreds or thousands of other runners just like you. And at most races that aren't wave starts you get to weave in and out of all the slow people that lined up at the front. Making you feel faster than you really are. 

  The first half the race was the most enjoyable 1/2 marathon I've ever run. As we ran past Marrakech's awesome train station then through the historic Menera Gardens, then past the pit area for the Marrakech Grand Prix race that's held here every year, then to finish out the first half the race the course runs down a road through the Old Royal Agdel Gardens and off to a short detor out of the city, I was in my zone. Relaxed. Focused. On pace. All the training I had done this year was paying off and I was enjoying the moment. 

  Then came the turn after Bab Al Khamis, around mile 15. It wasn't that my race fell apart it just began to slow down and not even by a lot but the week of traveling and the tons of walking we had done the week prior was wearing on my legs.

  So, while I was slowing down the race took its turn into the Palmeraie area of Marrakech. Possibly the most beautiful part of the entire city. There isn't a single place that could have gotten me distracted from my tiredness like running through the palm groves and past camels. Its really an interesting place and you never really know what you might see out there. This helped me pick my speed back just enough. 

  For me the hardest part of the Marrakech Marathon is the last 6 miles of the race. This sounds like a rather stupid thing to say because most people would agree that after running 20 miles the last 6 would be the toughest, but while I agree there is also the added fact that this section has the only "uphill" section of the race. Once you leave the Palmeraie the last 6 miles to the finish line is all "uphill". Notice that I put that word in quotes. For most people the amount of elevation change would hardly justify calling this section uphill but after running on flat road or downhill for 20 miles I've discovered that any amount of incline can be difficult and for the last three years this is where the race has really taken its toll on me. 

   Eventually I made it back to the center of town turned the final left and ran my hardest to cross the finish strong. I finished with a 3:22, not the 15 minutes I wanted to shave off but a solid ten minute personal best. And that makes me happy.

Post Race Thoughts

  So, after running another year in the Marrakech International Marathon I walked away (very slowly and tenderly) happy with the race, the excellent weather, and ready to run it again next year. 

  My only recommendation is to be careful at the finish line area. Every year they are making huge improvements on this but there is still  some area for improvement. Since the two races are finishing at roughly the same time there are a lot of people crossing the finish line all at once and for the slightly more tired people it can be a little difficult to find a place to catch your breath. 

  I'd recommend getting your metal, water, and banana they offer at the end and moving done the street a little ways to find a place to sit. 

  Other than that I really recommend the Marrakech International Marathon be your next destination race. It's budget friendly, it's a great flat course, the weather is awesome, and you couldn't be running an a more awesome city. 

The 2015 Marrakech Marathon is Almost Here

Marrakech Marathon race poster

  It's that time of year again. The streets are cleaned and the signs are up. We are only a few days away from the 26th annual Marrakech International Marathon and Marrakech Half-Marathon both of which will be run on Sunday 25 January. The full marathon will start at 8am and the half at 9:15am. This is a big event for the city and there will be lots of spectators cheering the runners on. I've been running easy this week and can't wait to try and get a new personal record. 

   Are you planning on running the Marrakech Marathon this year or have any tips for those running? If so let us know in the comments below. See you on race day. 

Running in Fes Morocco

Fes, Morocco

I was able to travel to Fes this past week and spend a few days hanging out with some friends, so it went without saying that I would try to get a few runs in.

Fes is one of five largest cities in Morocco and has a very interesting history. Being that it is such a large city there are a great number of options of where to run. My first of two runs was just a simple run around my friends' neighborhood which was nothing more than a change of scenery for me. My second run had been part of my motivation to get to Fes for a long time, the old city. I love running around Morocco's old cities; Rabat, Essaouira, Marrakech, and now Fes. For me there is something about them that draws me in, I don't know if it's the history (I am a huge history buff), the culture that these old cities have, or just the enjoyment of being able to say I ran in such an awesome place. 

After getting the car parked near the main city gate, Bab Boujloud, we set off on our run. Now, even though my friend has lived in Fes for a few months this was his and his wife's first time to run around the city as well, so we really weren't 100% sure of how to accomplish our goal as we took off. 

The old wall of Fes at Place Bouljloud where we started

The route we took ended up not being that difficult for the most part. We just kept the city wall on our right and went where the roads took us. The bigest differance I noticed between Fes and most of the other cities I've run in is the hills. In places like Rabat there are a few hills, but in Marrakech not so much. In fact, in Marrakech you have to try and find a hill to run on, but that's not the case in Fes. The walled part of the old city of Fes is more or less situated between two giant hills and the roads around them go up and down these hills depending on where the walls were built. 

A small farm next to the Fes medina

The road we took to cut through the old city

To make the run easier about halfway into the it (about 3 miles) we cut through part of the old city to shave off about a mile and a half from the total. This was the only time during the entire run that we had to deal with traffic. Most of the roads along the walls have large sidewalks or the road was wide enough that there wasn't an issue running on them. 

Then we reached the best part of the entire run. About 4-5 miles into our run we came to one of the highest points on the road around the city and we had an awesome unobstructed panoramic view of the entire old city. It really makes the whole run worth it to get to see the ancient city from there. 

The rest of the run from then until we reached Bab Boujloud, where we parked, was rather uneventful. Other that a massive final hill that must be climbed just before re-entering the old city. After running in Marrakech almost exclusively for the last year, again which is almost completely flat, this hill felt like I was climbing a mountain. However, I put on a stoic face only stopping to take "pictures," I was running with a friend so I had to look like it didn't bother me. 

Bab Boujloud

Once we made it back to Bab Boujloud it was all over and I can now say that I have run around the walls of another of Morocco's famed old cities. If you have plans on being in Fes for an upcoming holiday make sure to plan on running while there. While I wouldn't recommend running within the walls of the city, on the narrow and crowded streets (I recommend not doing this in any of the old cities), I do think you shouldn't pass up the opportunity. 

One last note about my run in Fes. I ran with a friend and that's something I'd recommend if you plan to do a similar run. While I never felt unsafe during the run sometimes the road would go away from the city and the there just weren't a lot of people around some of the time (other that traffic). Also, in a few places there just wasn't a great deal of shoulder to the road (note the picture above). It's just always better to run with someone else for safety especially when you're in a new place. 

Have you ever run in Fes or know of another great running location in the city? Let us know in the comments below, then get running. 

Marrakech International Film Festival 2014

This is just a quick post to mention that the International Film Festival which is held every year in Marrakech is about to get it's 14th edition underway in a few days. The festival runs from December 5th to the 13th and attracts films and stars from all over the world. 

As I was walking through the Jamaa Al Fnaa square this week I saw that they were putting the finishing touches on one of the main film screens. It's literally right in the main square.  

The main viewing screen in the square 

If your going to be in town this weekend you should try to catch a film or two, there are films in several languages. And while you're at it why not sign up to go for a run with us while you're here. 

If you're planning on being here for the festival this year let us know in the comments below or if you've been before and have some tips about the festival let us know as well.  

5 Reasons to Run in Morocco

If you're reading this post you're most likely a runner, and we know most runners don't need any additional reasons to run. So why am I writing this list of reasons to run in Morocco? Because if you aren't sure that you should pack your shoes, I want to help you realize that as you're planning your next vacation or holiday, Morocco is a great place to run. I've run I in a lot of places in my travels and I've never found anywhere as unique to run in as Morocco. With that said here are my five reasons you should plan to run in Morocco during your next holiday:

1. You get to see the city in a unique way. 

This is one of those things I say so often that I forget how many times I've said it to and to whom, but that's because it's something I really believe is true. How else can you cover as much ground in such a short period of time? Exploring cities on foot give you a perspective you just can't get in a taxi or bus. While riding taxis and busses are both great ways of seeing things you're removed and not as involved in the experience. Where as going on foot and especially by running we get to be part of the adventure and see Morocco at eye level.

2.  You don't feel as guilty splurging on all the awesome Moroccan food.

In my opinion there's no food like Moroccan food. I love tajine and couscous (main dishes), mecimin and harsha (breads), harira (soup), and shebekia (desert). The list could go on and on and on but I'll leave it there for now. A week in Morocco enjoying all these foods can leave a runner feeling a little bit guilty upon their return to running at the end of their holiday. By adding in a few runs you can feel a little more at ease in your enjoyment of Moroccan cuisine. 

3. You get to run in the footsteps of history. 

While everywhere has has some kind of history, Morocco is a crossroads of many different cultures. Berbers, Romans, and Arabs have all called Morocco home at some point. Old fortresses, city wall, markets, deserts, and villages, Morocco has it all.  And while the people who lived here +1,000 years ago likely weren't running marathons it's neat to think about what life was like back then as you run though their backyard 1,000 years later. 

4. The weather is great. 

Yes, during the summer it can get very hot here in Morocco, but for most of the year the weather is perfect for running. While in the winter Europe is experiencing freezing temps or covered in snow, most of Morocco is experiencing very mild temps in comparison. 

While during the summer months it can and does get very warm in large portions of the country, the mornings are still great times to run. The temps usually drop quite a lot at night and give runners and other early risers a nice reprive from the daytime heat. In the middle of the summer, not too long ago, there were several mornings I contemplated grabbing one of my light jackets for my pre-run warm up. Maybe I was just adjusting to the heat, but there was that kind of noticeable drop in the mornings. 

5. You get bragging rights. 

How many of your friends can say they have run in Africa? When people think of Africa many think of safaris and animals while others thing of think deserts and pyramids but how many can say they ran in Africa? It's bragging rights. It's a story to tell your grandkids one day. You can update your facebook status, tweet it, post a picture to Instagram because that's one post that it'll take a long time for your friends to top.

I can think of many more reasons why you should run on your next visit to Morocco but I think I will stop there. What about your city? Can you think of any reasons people should run where you live? Let us know in the comments below... who knows maybe you'll convince some of us to come for a run.