Getting active in Marrakech

Getting active in Marrakech

Mar 13 - 2017

13 Mar Getting active in Marrakech

The Marrakech marathon may be the first sporting event held each year in the red city, but there’s something for everyone when it comes to sporting events throughout the year. While the Race of Morocco attracts a local audience and racing fans from around the world, the British Polo Day attracts a well-heeled English-speaking audience for a weekend of glamourous parties and fashionable sporting events. In our latest blog post we’ve rounded up the most popular sporting events in Marrakech.

Race of Morocco

Three days of racing, three days of entertainment, when the Race of Morocco comes to town Marrakech is buzzing with excitement. Held this year from 7 to 9 April, the event takes place just outside of the old city walls on the Route de Ourika, providing a spectacular backdrop to the event. Expect to see Morocco’s own racing driver Mehdi Bennani in his Sébastien Loeb Racing Citroen CElysée WTCC. This year marks the sixtieth anniversary of the event since the country’s first Grand Prix event took place in 1957.

British Polo Day

While the 2017 dates are yet to be determined, this annual event includes not only the exciting matches as part of the British Polo Day at Jnan Amar Polo Club, but lavish parties at venues such as the Royal Mansour, Kasbah Tamadot and the trendy El Fenn. In fact, in a letter posted to the Web site, His Majesty King Mohammed Vi has accepted the High Patronage of the event.

Atlas Etape

This charity bike tour, Atlas Etape sees partipicants leaving Marrakech, which sits at an altitude of 495 metres and cycling 70 kilometres up to the ski station at Oukaimeden which sits at 2624m above sea level. Or for a shorter ride, the option to travel 30 kilometres in to the Ourika Valley before returning to Marrakech is doable for anyone with a reasonable fitness level seeking to participate in the event. Held annually on the last Sunday of April, the event raises money for the Education for All, an organization which believes that “if you educate a girl, you educate the next generation as well” and so provides boarding houses near schools and colleges to allow girls from remote villages the opportunity to learn to study. A good cause and a great ride!

Trans Atlas Marathon

Created by brothers Lahcen and Mohamed Ahansal after having completed the Marathon des Sables not once, not twice, but 15 times, the Trans Atlas Marathon provides runners with the opportunity to complete six days of marathons, completing 285 kilometres. But it’s not just about the race. Runners have the opportunity to see areas of Morocco including diverse landscapes, Berber villages and meet locals up close and personal. In fact, the Web site describes the course as “terrain that will keep you gasping for breath not only physically but also metaphorically through the diverse beauty of the landscape they want you to experience.” This year’s race starts from Zaouiat Ahansal, where the brothers originate, on 12 May.

Trophée Hassan II

Taking place from 10 to 16 April 2017 at the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Morocco’s capital city Rabat, the Trophée Hassan II is an international gentlemen’s competition while the ladies’ competition is entitled Coupe Lalla Meryem. The event is in partnership with the European Tour.

 

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