As Imlil and Ouirgane host the fifth edition of the Sonasid High Atlas Ultra Trail (Sonasid HAUT), local villages are expected to see a significant economic boost over the weekend, with hotels fully booked and activity increasing across the region.
Running from April 17 to 19, the Sonasid HAUT, a trail running race crossing Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains in Toubkal National Park, aims to go beyond sport by promoting ecotourism and helping local communities benefit from increased visitor activity.
“One hundred percent of hotels in the area are fully booked, representing around 3,000 overnight stays, in addition to transport and food services,” Chahinaz Bendoumou, a representative of the Espoir Association behind the Sonasid HAUT, told Hespress English.
Organizers say the region, which they argue needs greater visibility, was heavily affected by the 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Al Haouz province three years ago.
“We are here to tell these people that we are coming for them,” Bendoumou said.
The Sonasid HAUT village also includes a solidarity market where local associations can showcase and sell regional products to visiting participants.
“We aim to support their economic activity, particularly for communities affected by the earthquake,” she added.
Local residents are already reporting benefits from the event.
“When this event is held, the village of Aremd benefits a lot,” said Said Agafay, owner of a guesthouse in Aremd, a nearby village, in comments to Hespress English. He said he hosted around 15 participants due to his guesthouse’s proximity to the starting point.
Agafay said the event provides strong visibility for the area, especially as many international runners travel long distances to participate.
The Sonasid HAUT brings together 1,150 runners from 26 countries, including participants from Europe and the United States, and features six race distances: 10 km, 21 km, 42 km, 60 km, 85 km and 120 km.
The 2025 edition drew more than 900 participants, including 280 women and 50 local athletes. The race covered 340 kilometers across eight events and passed through 15 villages.
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