Marrakech Marathon & Half
Enter the 2025 Marrakech Marathon & Half with Marathon Tours & Travel
Marrakech has much to offer with its souk, the Medina and its traders, its superb Moroccan trees with olive trees, date palms and orange trees. If you are looking for a marathon or half marathon with the authentic Moroccan culture, sights and sounds then Marrakech is the for you. Winters in Morocco are mild, making for ideal running conditions and then soaking up some sun afterwards with a cool drink and your feet up in the hotel gardens or by the swimming pool!
We offer a 4-night package in Marrakech at our lovely 5* hotel located only 10 minutes’ walk from the race start/finish, shopping and the city sights. Our itinerary includes guided sightseeing, local cuisine and traditional folklore show (charging horsemen, acrobats, fire-eating, belly dancing), pre-race dinner and celebrations with our Marathon Tours & Travel team.
Travel Package Information
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Itinerary
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Thursday 23 January 2025
Arrival Day
Make your way to Marrakech. At the airport you will be met by your driver and taken to your hotel. Usually, hotel rooms are ready to check in after 3 pm. If you arrive earlier, you can leave your luggage with the hotel and explore your surroundings or relax.
Early this evening we invite you to meet with the Marathon Tours & Travel host in the hotel lobby before leaving for an optional shake-out run in the local area. It will acquaint you with the local area and shake-out any travel tiredness. The run will be easy and at a pace comfortable for all fitness levels. It also offers a perfect opportunity to ask questions and get to know fellow runners.
Friday 24 January 2025
Half Day Sightseeing & Moroccan Dinner with Folklore Show
After breakfast we leave the hotel with a local guide to experience the palaces and monuments of Marrakech and learn the history of Morocco’s “Red City.” Our experienced local guide will show you the must see places with stops expected to include: the Bahia Palace, Saadien Tombs, Koutoubia Mosque and explore the souks of Marrakech’s old medina. We will be return to the hotel around midday, where the rest of your day is at your leisure.
This evening we leave the hotel to experience a Moroccan extravaganza of traditional dress, songs, food, fantasy and entertainment. Starting with a welcome ceremony, a delicious dinner of several courses and finishing with the grand finale. Charging horsemen, acrobats, fire-eating and belly dancers all contribute to the atmosphere of this unforgettable evening.
(Breakfast & Dinner included)
Saturday 25 January 2025
Leisure Day & Dinner
After breakfast, relax and enjoy Marrakech at your own pace. The Marathon Tours & Travel host will be happy to suggest some sightseeing or activity tours or have fun in the winter sun at the hotel with its many restaurants, swimming pools, spa and beautiful gardens.
If you have booked the Optional: Half Day Menara Secret Gardens Tour and Camel Ride with us, this will take place this afternoon. You will be picked up from the hotel around 2 pm.
If you booked your race entry with us, we will collect your race pack (includes t-shirt & race bib) and hand it to you at the hotel today. If you obtained your own race entry you will be required to make your own way to the Expo to collect your race pack.
This evening please join us for a buffet meal, served in the hotel restaurant.
(Breakfast and dinner included)
Sunday 26 January 2025
Race Day and celebrations!
After breakfast, get ready to run and then make your way to the race start which is at the end of the road. On arrival at the start please follow the instructions of the race officials, run, and have fun!
Marrakech Marathon and Half 2025 start and finish area is only 10 minutes’ walk from our hotel. A perfect position for race day and for spectators to cheer on the runners.
After the race make your way back to the hotel, perhaps soak up some winter sun with a cool drink and your feet up in the hotel gardens or by the swimming pool! Celebrate…you deserve it!
This evening, please join your Marathon Tours & Travel host in the hotel bar for a post-race celebration and drink!
(Breakfast included)
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Extensions
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Post-Race Extension
4 Day Marrakech to Merzouga Desert Tour, with Camel Ride and Desert Camp Stay
(27–30 Jan 2025)
Experience the Moroccan Sahara Desert on a 4-day tour from Marrakech to Merzouga. Spend the night at a Bedouin camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes. Ride a camel to watch the sunset and sunrise. See the Kasbah of Ouarzazate, and much more.
Day 1: 27/01/2025 – Marrakech to Ouarzazate
- Departure from Marrakech at ~ 7:30am
- Travel through the High Atlas Mountains with photo stops and scenic views
- Visit Kasbah Ait Benhaddou
- Visit Kasbah Taourirt
- Visit Atlas Studios
- 1 night stay in a hotel in Ouarzazate
- Dinner included
- Approx. 4 hours travelling, stops throughout
Day 2: 28/01/2025 – Ouarzazate to Merzouga
- Departure at ~ 9am
- Visit Kelaat M’gouna
- Camel ride to the camp or 4×4 vehicle
- 1 night stay in a private luxury tent in Merzouga
- Breakfast and Dinner included
- Approx. 5 hours travelling, stops throughout
Day 3: 29/01/2025 – Merzouga to Todra Gorges to Dades
- Departure at ~ 9am
- Visit Gorge Dades
- Visit Boumalne Dades
- 1 night stay in Kasbah in Dades
- Breakfast and Dinner included
- Approx. 5 hours travelling, stops throughout
Day 4: 30/01/2025 – Dades to Marrakech
- Departure at ~ 9am
- Drive back to Marrakech with a stop for lunch (cost of lunch not included)
- Return to Marrakech ~ 6pm
- Breakfast included
- Approx. 5 hours travelling, stops throughout
Trip includes all transport as well as the following:
- 1 x night stay in a hotel in Ouarzazate
- 1 x night stay in a private luxury tent in Merzouga
- 1 x night in a Kasbah-style hotel in Dades
- Entry to Kasbah Taourirt, Atlas Studios, Kelaat M’gouna, Todra Gorge and Gorge Dades
- Camel ride / 4×4 vehicle to camp
- Breakfast and Dinner (as outlined above)
- English speaking guide with group throughout
Although there is a lot of travel time involved each day on the extension, our guests and staff who have previously taken part in the desert trip have advised the route is scenic and the locations visited and experiences shared are well worth the distance travelled.
If you wish to add this extension, we would highly recommend adding an extra night stay at the Kenzi Rose Garden Hotel on January 30, as you will not return to the hotel in Marrakech until around 6pm.
*If you do wish to fly home on the 30th, please ensure your flight is not before 8:30pm.*
Optional Tours
Half Day Menara Secret Gardens with Camel Ride
Estimated departure time on Saturday 25 January – 2pm, returning at 5:30pm.
Following pick up from your hotel, journey through UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Marrakech and discover a fragrant oasis in the heart of the city of Marrakech. Head next to the Menara Gardens, with the peaks of the Atlas Mountains in the background. Learn about the unique irrigation system designed to provide water to the surrounding area via underground channels from the artificial lake. Discover the secret garden, which is an outstanding example of Islamic art and architecture. It’s part of the great tradition of stately Arab-Andalusian and Moroccan palaces. End your journey by going to the Palmeraie area and enjoy a 1-hour camel ride before returning to your hotel.
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Packages & Rates
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Guaranteed 2025 Marrakech Marathon or Half Entry
We are pleased to offer you guaranteed entry for the Marrakech Marathon 2025. You can buy the entry from Marathon Tours & Travel if you also buy the accommodation package from us. Please note Marathon Tours & Travel will collect and deliver race documents to hotels for runners who book entry through us.
Marathon Tours & Travel Marrakech Marathon 2025 package includes the following:
- Your 5* accommodation in Marrakech for 4 nights
- Daily breakfasts, except on arrival day
- Hotel taxes
- Return airport transfers
- Welcome meet-up and shake-out run (Thursday)
- Race pack delivery to hotel (if you book your entry with us)
- Half-Day Marrakech Tour (Friday)
- Moroccan Extravaganza with dinner and traditional folklore show (Friday)
- Pre-race dinner (Saturday)
- Post-race celebration (Sunday)
- Guidance and support from the Marathon Tours & Travel onsite host
- 2-week free trial of Coopah bespoke training plans. Details on how to claim will be sent in your booking confirmation email
Not Included:
- Marrakech Marathon 2025 or Half Entry
- Anything not mentioned in the inclusions above
A longer stay?
Contact us for a quote or use our easy booking tool to cost and book.
Travelling with children?
Contact us for a quote or refer to the hotel description for child policies.
Rates(All prices are per person in UK pounds sterling) Double Occupancy Single Occupancy 4 nights from 23 January 2025 – Standard Room £699 £954 Pool View Room £749 £1,024 Deluxe Room £759 £1,044 Junior Suite £969 £1,484 If you wish to upgrade your room, please contact us at info@marathontours.co.uk Optional Extras(All prices are per person in UK pounds sterling) Per Person Marrakech Marathon Entry £70 Marrakech Half Marathon Entry £50 Half Day Menara Secret Gardens Tour with Camel Ride £49 4 Day Desert Extension (27 - 30 January) £329 Extra Nights at the Kenzi Rose Garden Hotel(All prices are per person in UK pounds sterling) Double Occupancy Single Occupancy Standard Room £88 £151 Pool View Room £96 £167 Deluxe Room £99 £172 Junior Suite £153 £282 (Rates valid for the 22, 27 & 30 January)
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Hotels
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The Kenzi Rose Garden Hotel is a top hotel in a perfect location, in the heart of the popular Hivernage district. Decorated with style and comfort you will find many facilities to enjoy. These include sports/tennis court, swimming pools, spa with hamman and fitness centre, multiple bars and lounges, 24/7 room service and concierge and a beautiful palm tree and flower filled 7,000m squared garden.
Bedrooms are air conditioned and feature a private bathroom, tv, free Wi-Fi, and in-room safe. Upgrades to pool view, deluxe, or junior suite is possible, subject to availability and upon payment of a supplement. For more details and extra costs please contact us info@marathontours.co.uk
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Event Information
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Enter the 2025 Marrakech Marathon & Half with Marathon Tours & Travel
The Course: This is definitely a race to tick off your bucket list. The course is mostly flat and runs through local neighbourhoods by the famous city walls and along areas with stunning palm trees, orange trees and olive trees. The early part of the marathon is a gradual incline, mostly flat until the last 10km which are then mainly downhill. It’s a great route for setting a PB or if you want to make the most of the mild weather, generous maximum finish time and provides opportunities to interact with the musicians and locals along the route, meaning it ticks all the boxes. Although you cannot compare crowd support with an Abbott World Marathon Major, you can feel the enthusiasm and you will be immersed in this very special atmosphere that will brighten up your race and pull you through to the finish line.
Date: Sunday 26 January 2025
Race Time: from 08:30am (42K), from 9:45am (21K)
Eligibility: 17 years or older (42K), 15 years or older (21K)
Number Pickup: Marathon Tours & Travel will collect your race pack and deliver it to you at our hotel.
Temperature: Average temperatures on race day are between 40 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Refreshment tables: Water and slices of orange every 5kms. Sponges every 5kms from the 7th km table.
Awards: Every finisher receives a medal.
Difficulty: Easy
Minimum Pace/Cut-off Time Policy: 5 hours 30 minutes (42K), 3 hours (21K)
Race rules to be followed.
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Registration & Booking
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Conditions of Sale
Please note we cannot sell race entry without the accommodation package. Race entry is not refundable.
If you wish to make any changes to your reservations, administration and/or service fees might apply. For our general T&C’s please see here.
How to Book
To make your booking, click on the orange button at the top of the page, ensuring that you select the correct number of rooms and types for all members in your party plus all the required extras. When you book, we will require a deposit to confirm your place.
Payments
When you confirm your booking, we will take a deposit payment. Subsequent payments are taken automatically.
Travel advice
Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Morocco’s current entry restrictions and requirements.
Morocco is a Muslim country which follows Islamic laws and customs. You should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend travellers to take out comprehensive travel insurance with sufficient healthcare cover, including cover for existing medical conditions and any activities you plan to do.
If you are unsure where to start, we’ve teamed up with Bikmo. Bikmo offer tailored insurance packages that cater for both competitive and non-competitive trips, covering you for many of our running events. If you wish to book insurance through Bikmo, you can benefit from an exclusive 5% discount*, simply use the code DESTINATIONSPORT5 at their checkout. More information can be found here.
*7 days European travel cover from £16.85. Bikmo non-competitive travel insurance is arranged and administered by Rock Insurance Services Limited, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FCA number 300317 Bikmo competitive travel insurance is arranged and administered directly by Jackson Lee Underwriting (JLU). This promotion is provided by Bikmo Ltd Glendale House Sandycroft Industrial Estate Flintshire CH5 2QP
Security Policy
Marathon Tours & Travel’s security policy requires that anyone staying in our room block must be registered as part of our package. If a registered client attempts to house a non-registered guest and/or invite them to attend any of our scheduled activities, the registered guest’s tour package will be forfeited, and parties may be denied access to future tours. Please note that no exceptions will be made as this policy will be strictly enforced.
Race Rules
Our itinerary and details regarding the race are based on current information available at the time this package was released for sale. Whilst we expect the details to remain correct, changes are possible and will be confirmed nearer to the trip after the race organisers have confirmed final instructions. All race rules and procedures need to be followed.
Starting Pens and Bib Numbers
Although we are licensed to sell official entries for the Marrakech Marathon & Half, we have no influence over the allocation of starting times and bib numbers. After purchasing your race entry with us, you will be asked for your projected finish time and some other data in order to complete the race registration process. Please do not expect it immediately after booking – it will be sent when Marrakech Marathon & Half require it. The race organisers will allocate you a starting time and bib based on the information you provide.
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Testimonials
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2023 Marathon Tours Marrakech Marathon & Half Trip
Many thanks for organising the event! One can add my experience for feedback!
I booked this trip as I wish to run another marathon in Africa as I had previously travelled with Marathon Tours and Travel (Cape Town Marathon!) I think it was a great weekend holiday as the flight was only around 3.30 hours from Heathrow and transport from airport and hotel was all sorted out! Arriving in Marrakech I felt totally stress free especially BIB already been delivered to the hotel! Breakfast and dinner were included! The hotel was well within walking distance from the start and finishing line. The marathon itself is a loop to loop marathon with a gradual incline in the early part of the race! One can run a decent time as when one goes up, it have to come down! The weather is also well suited for running! The last 10 km was mainly downhill! Although one cannot compare crowd support with a marathon majors but one can feel the enthusiasm especially from passing pedestrians and small pockets of support throughout the course. No surprise I had improved my finishing time when compare when I last ran in Africa! There is enough time for me to do some sightseeing after the race! I would recommend any runners interested in running a marathon in each continent to pick this package for their Africa leg! Also a big Thankyou to Marie the trip organiser who is always so helpful and organised throughout this trip!2023 Marathon Tours Marrakech Marathon & Half TripThank you so much. What a lovely run! Thoroughly enjoyed it. I was very glad of the support offered by the company and it was lovely to walk over together in the morning.
2023 Marathon Tours Marrakech Marathon & Half TripMarrakech was a beautiful experience and your services were really very good.
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Seven Continents Club ®
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The Seven Continents Club®️ (SCC) offers a unique opportunity for runners to run on all seven continents of the globe, as well as providing numerous benefits to its members. The club operates as a global frequent traveller club for runners, offering waitlist priority for high-demand events, early pre-registration periods for a number of races in popular destinations and tour package vouchers for money off international tour packages. What’s more, Seven Continents Club®️ rewards all its members for the extraordinary achievement of running marathons on each continent with their own special finishers medal and certificate of completion. Join the SCC today!
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