Created in 1987
1987The organisers say the marathon was created in 1987 and has attracted thousands of participants since. It runs under the High Patronage of King Mohammed VI. The 36th edition was held on 25 January 2026.
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Course & Elevation
The Marathon International de Marrakech (Marrakech International Marathon) is a January road marathon in Morocco, held under the High Patronage of King Mohammed VI and created in 1987. It is run on a Sunday in late January together with a half marathon. The marathon starts at 07:45 on Menara Avenue, behind the Sofitel Hotel, and the half marathon starts at 09:15. The organisers describe the course as flat and fast, despite some false rising flats in the palm grove, and say it winds through the city's historic streets and landmarks, along avenues of palm, orange and olive trees and past the city ramparts. The 42.195 km distance is measured by an official international expert (IAAF-AIMS). The time limit is 5 hours 30 minutes. Runners collect their bibs on Place de la Koutoubia in the two days before the race. In 2026 the 36th edition was run on 25 January, with more than 16,000 athletes across the events, and Moroccan winners in both marathons: Abdelhadi Labäli in 2:07:34 and Hayat Benhima in 2:24:48, a new women's course record.
Surface: road Profile: Rolling
Weather
Typical climate for the race month — an estimate, not a forecast or a race-day record
Temperature 12°C
Humidity 65%
Rain Chance 10%
Late January in Marrakech is mild by day and cold at night: average highs are around 19°C and lows about 6°C, with rain of 1 mm or more on about three days of the month.
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Race Lore
A New Women's Record in 2026
2026On 25 January 2026 Hayat Benhima won the women's race in 2:24:48, breaking the previous record of 2:24:59. Her compatriots Oumaima Saoud and Kaoutar Farkoussi finished second and third in 2:25:05 and 2:26:18. The men's winner, Abdelhadi Labäli, ran 2:07:34.
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Fun Facts
- ▸ The Marathon International de Marrakech was created in 1987 and runs under the High Patronage of King Mohammed VI.
- ▸ In 2026 Hayat Benhima won in 2:24:48, beating the previous women's course record of 2:24:59.
- ▸ All three women on the 2026 podium were Moroccan: Benhima, Oumaima Saoud (2:25:05) and Kaoutar Farkoussi (2:26:18).
- ▸ The 2026 race, the 36th edition, drew more than 16,000 athletes across all distances.
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