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Join on Telegram Rabat – The third edition of the Sonasid High Atlas Ultra Trail (HAUT) concluded on Sunday after it brought together passionate runners to the Atlas Mountains in a sporting challenge that celebrated their strength and resilience.
Association Espoir pour le Sport & Développement Durable, the event organizer, congratulated the winning participants whose exceptional performances qualified them for the legendary Sierre-Zinal race in Switzerland, scheduled for August 2024.
The event took place on June 1 and 2 in the picturesque Toubkal National Park, located in the Al Haouz province. It saw exceptional performances from Moroccan athletes across various categories.
Youssef Meskouk triumphed in the men’s 42-kilometer race with a time of 4 hours, 12 minutes, and 25 seconds (04:12:25), while Aziza Raji won the women’s 42-kilometer race with a time of 06:46:50. Both athletes earned spots at the Sierre-Zinal race in Switzerland.
Meanwhile, Jamal Ait Ifraden dominated the men’s 120-kilometer race, finishing with a time of 17:01:10.. In addition, Nourdine Bachqi and Nadia Diourri led the 80KM race, clocking in 10:43:17 and 20:17:03 respectively.
In the 21-kilometer race, Hicham Bouhadaj finished first among men with 02:05:08, while Karima Khalil topped the women’s category at a time of 03:15:10.
Bourhim El Bouziry and Imane El Faout won the 10-kilometer race, clocking in at 41:53:00 and 01:06:48 seconds respectively.
“These athletes have not only demonstrated their sporting excellence, but have also profoundly represented the colours of Morocco. Their determination and success are a source of inspiration for all those who aspire to push back their limits and achieve the impossible,” the organizers said in a statement.
A race with a mission
In addition to the five distinct races, the Sonasid High Atlas Ultra Trail aimed to highlight community support in the wake of the earthquake that devastated the Al Haouz region in September last year.
The event organized a race for the benefit of 150 local children with the goal of raising awareness about the importance of sports and physical activity.
In addition, a women’s cooperative was created in the village of Tekkent to help develop and facilitate the production of traditional Amazigh rugs and other local products. The initiative aims to promote economic development and women’s empowerment in the region.
The event also saw the drilling of a well in the Ameskar village to address the local community’s need for clean drinking water. The sanitation project aims to improve living conditions and preserve the local environment.
Sonasid High Atlas Ultra Trail also included the distribution of sports equipment to primary school students in Ouirgane to promote a healthy and active lifestyle among the local youth.
Prominent Moroccan athletes, including Aziz Ichou, Omar Izesrati, Aziza Raji, Hajar Boukhou, and Hasnaa Hamdouch, participated in this year’s edition.
