Rabat – Morocco’s Fez is set to host its first-ever long distance running marathon on May 8.
Initially scheduled between March 26-27, the sporting festival was postponed due to security reasons.
The competition is expected to kick off at Fez’s Latin America Parc, less than 2 km from the city center and will be organized under two different categories: One race for children and one for adults.
The much anticipated event aims to give a new breath to the spiritual city after over two years of stress, restrictions, and preventive measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The two-days event is organized under the auspices of the Fez-Meknes Directorate and the Fez-Boulemane Athletics League, and the newly-established Fez Athlete Association.
Member of the organizing committee Abderrahim Bouramdane said in a recent interview with Morocco World News that they aim to shed more light on the city of Fez to attract more tourists.
Moroccan marathon champion Bouramdane noted that such festivals intend to contribute in making Fez not only a cultural hub, but also a potential location for future sports events.
For the coming marathon, Bouramdane said his role is to put into practice his long-standing experience as both an award-winning long-distance runner and an experienced sports events organizer.
The renowned Fez-born athlete has won several international marathons throughout his career, and has significantly contributed to the sports scene in Morocco by organizing many successful races.
Speaking about the 2020 Fez International Marathon, Bouramdane, who was the founder and the director of the event, said the experience was exceptionally remarkable as the race has attracted over 6,000 runners from across the world.
The Moroccan athlete won the gold medal at the Ottawa Marathon in 2006. He also maintained a remarkable performance in the same marathon competition in the following year, finishing in second place, only six seconds behind the winner.
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