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Casablanca was converted into an open-air sporting venue on Sunday during the WeCasablanca 10KM event, when thousands of participants filled the city streets for one of Morocco’s largest urban racing events.
The event attracted 16,254 participants from 63 different countries, which is further evidence of the growing recognition of the event within Morocco and throughout the world.
The race began on Boulevard Al Massira Al Khadra, then made its way through different iconic streets, attracting large numbers of both professional and amateur participants in a spirit of organization and discipline.
The event illustrated yet again a major trend occurring in Moroccan society. Young people are discovering that healthier lifestyles, including running and going to the gym, are not just a trend anymore, but more their way of life.
The Corniche is now home to runners in the morning, busy gyms late at night, and run clubs meeting every weekend. The trend, which started small, has emerged into a true lifestyle for many Moroccan youth.
This trend and culture of running has been accompanied by significant health benefits. Experts continue to emphasize the link between regular exercise and reduced obesity and cardiovascular disease, as well as lower levels of stress and anxiety, strengthened muscles and bones, improved long-term cognitive function, and a decline in sedentary lifestyles worldwide.
More than simply being competitive, many young runners view the sport as a way to build discipline and develop mental clarity. For many of them, running is one of the few sports where the main opponent is yourself, requiring strong mental resilience and the ability to push beyond personal limits.
It also helps to develop mental clarity, while instilling healthy habits into a new generation of individuals who are becoming more aware of their physical and mental well-being.
On the podium, Hicham Ouladha was the first place winner, followed by Moroccan Yassine El Allami, then in third place, Ethiopian Biniyam Melak. For the women’s race, Ethiopian Chane Fentaya Adane was the first place winner, ahead of Moroccan Birdaha Fatima Al Zahra and Ethiopian Kassie Wubrist Aschal.
The WeCasablanca 10KM event, which was founded in 2017, has established itself as one of the largest road running events. “The increase from 1,100 participants in the first edition in 2017 to over 16,000 today demonstrates the steady growth of this race,” says Mohamed Jouahri, Managing Director of Casablanca Events & Animation. “The 10KM International has now established itself as a key event for the city, combining rigorous organization with popular support, which actively contributes to the city’s sporting reputation.”
The event stands as an example of the sporting aspirations of the city of Casablanca and the increasing commitment of Moroccans to leading healthier and more active lifestyles.
