Ouarzazate Marathon
Where
Ouarzazate, Morocco
Date
1 November 2026
Distances
Registration cost
€50–100
What runners say
Running with earthen kasbahs on your left, the desert on your right and the snow-capped Atlas on the horizon is something you can't explain to someone who wasn't there. Ouarzazate isn't an exotic backdrop — it is the race itself.
Why it's special
A marathon at 1,160 metres altitude between the Sahara desert and the snow-capped Atlas mountains, in the Moroccan city that served as the set for Gladiator and Game of Thrones. Three distances: 21 km, 42 km and 4x10 km relay.
What's around
Ouarzazate is nicknamed the "gateway to the desert" and "Moroccan Hollywood": Gladiator, Game of Thrones and dozens of other films and series were shot here. The marathon crosses desert areas, palm groves that appear out of nowhere, centuries-old earthen kasbahs and Atlas mountain views that shift colour constantly — ochre, red, gold, green. The weather in November is perfect for running: between 11 and 20 degrees, with almost always clear skies. Three formats: half marathon, full marathon and 4-person relay for those who want to share the effort. The organisation also offers hotel packages with airport transfers for those who want to turn the race into a trip. The hospitality of the locals is one of the most mentioned aspects by those who have already run it: "Yallah yallah!" shouts the crowd along the course, in a mix of French, Arabic and Berber. This is not just a marathon — it is a complete adventure.