Over 15,000 athletes, including more than 110 elite runners from around the globe, are expected to participate in the 35th edition of the Marrakech International Marathon and Half Marathon (MIM 2025), scheduled for January 26, organizers announced Thursday.
The 35th edition of the Marrakech International Marathon and Half Marathon will be exceptional, with a record number of participants, Marathon Director Mohamed Knidiri said during a press conference in Marrakech to present the event’s course and participants.
True to its reputation, the MIM, which holds the African record for the discipline, will feature world-renowned elite runners this year, including Kenya’s Kitwara Sammy Irop (2:04:28), his compatriot Kilimo Rhonzas Lokitam (2:06:09), and Morocco’s Mohamed Reda El Aaraby (2:06:55), Knidiri noted.
In the women’s catgory, the event will bring together Ethiopian athletes Beyene Tirfi Tsegaye (2:19:41) and Bekele Abebech Afework (2:23:33), as well as Moroccans Kaoutar Farkoussi (2:25:35), Rkia El Moukim (2:26:51), Kaltoum Bouaasariya (2:27:22), and Hasna Zahi (2:28:23).
“This year, we anticipate exceptional performances and fierce competition, as the 35th edition will serve as a qualifier for the World Championships in September,” Knidiri emphasized, adding that Marrakech offers mild weather in January and a course conducive to outstanding performances.
Held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the MIM is organized by the Grand Atlas Association (AGA) in collaboration with the Ministry of National Education, Preschool, and Sports, the Royal Moroccan Athletics Federation, the Wilaya of the Marrakech-Safi region, and the Marrakech City Council. Since 2013, it has ranked 11th globally and, in 2020, received the World Athletics label, making it a qualifier for the World Championships and the Olympic Games.
The program for this edition also includes a children’s race and a 5 km “Welcome Run” open to all, scheduled for January 25, aimed at helping athletes acclimatize to the weather and atmosphere of Marrakech. Additionally, a “Car-Free Day” will be held under the theme “Environment and Road Safety at the Heart of Priorities.”
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