MOROCCO · RUNNING
Key Facts
- —Race day The 37th Marrakech International Marathon runs on Sunday 31 January 2027, starting at 7:45 a.m. local time (1:45 a.m. US Eastern).
- —Where it is Start and finish are on Avenue de la Ménara, behind the Sofitel hotel in Marrakech, with the runners’ village on Koutoubia Square.
- —The races A full marathon (26.2 miles), a half marathon (13.1 miles) and a new 5 km (3.1-mile) fun run on Saturday 30 January.
- —How to enter Online on the organiser’s website, marathonmarrakech.ma, or through Sport Up, the platform linked by travel partner Prêt à Partir (open until 24 January 2027).
- —Entry fees Runners visiting from abroad pay €80 (about US$89) for the marathon and €60 (about US$67) for the half.
- —Bib pickup Collect your bib with your passport at the runners’ village on Koutoubia Square, by Saturday 30 January at the latest.
The Marrakech Marathon returns on Sunday 31 January 2027 for its 37th edition, with the start at 7:45 a.m. on Avenue de la Ménara. Registration for runners from abroad is already open online.
The Marrakech Marathon loops past the 12th-century city walls, the Menara gardens and the palm groves of Morocco’s red city. For US runners it is a winter race abroad, with entry at about US$89.
Why the Marrakech Marathon Draws Runners From Abroad
The Marrakech Marathon, officially the Marrakech International Marathon, dates back to 1987 and is held under the patronage of King Mohammed VI. Its rules fix the date on the last Sunday of January, which in 2027 falls on 31 January.
The organiser, the Association Grand Atlas, calls the course one of the fastest in the world. It is flat, with a few gentle rises in the palm grove, and the time limit is five hours and 30 minutes.
Elite runners chase real money here. The two marathon winners each receive US$15,000 if they beat set times (2:07 for men, 2:25 for women), or US$12,000 otherwise.
The French travel agency Prêt à Partir, an official partner of the race, expects more than 15,000 runners. It also sells packages with hotel, breakfast, airport transfer and a bib, five minutes’ walk from the start.
How US Runners Can Enter and What It Costs
Runners who live outside Morocco can sign up on the organiser’s own website, marathonmarrakech.ma, which takes payment in euros. The partner agency also links to the Sport Up platform, where entries stay open until 24 January 2027.
The marathon costs €80 (about US$89) and the half marathon €60 (about US$67), according to the organiser’s registration page and Prêt à Partir. All US$ figures use the exchange rates of 12 October 2026, when one euro was worth about US$1.12.
Foreigners who live in Morocco register directly with the organiser, the Association Grand Atlas, and pay a reduced rate. The race rules say that discount is set each year.
Moroccan runners pay 300 dirhams (about US$31) for the marathon and 250 dirhams (about US$26) for the half, bib and T-shirt included. Dirham figures use about 9.71 to the US dollar on the same date.
A medical certificate stating that you are fit for competitive running is mandatory for the marathon and the half. Runners must be at least 17 for the marathon and 16 for the half.
The Race Weekend Schedule in Marrakech
The 2027 Marrakech Marathon weekend adds a first “Course pour Tous”, a 5 km run open to everyone, on the morning of Saturday 30 January. It starts opposite the Koutoubia, the landmark 12th-century mosque, with sign-up at Jemaa el-Fna square.
On race day the start area opens to runners at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday 31 January, and the gun fires 15 minutes later. The organiser’s programme lists the trophy ceremony for late morning, at 11:30.
Bibs are handed out at the Marrakech Marathon village on Koutoubia Square in the last days before the race, up to Saturday 30 January. You need your passport to collect yours.
The organiser also lists earlier pickup points at Marrakech railway station and Jemaa el-Fna from the weekend before race day. That helps runners who arrive early in race week.
Getting to the Start Line
The start and finish arches stand on Avenue de la Ménara, now officially Avenue Prince Moulay Rachid, behind the Sofitel hotel. The race rules place them about 150 meters from the fountain.
Marrakech Menara Airport, the city’s international airport, is a short taxi ride from the start area. The partner’s hotel packages are within walking distance of the start line.
Bicycles and all wheeled or motorized vehicles are banned from the course. Plan to arrive on foot or by taxi well before the start area opens at 7:30 on race morning.
Our guide <a href=”https://www.riotimesonline.com/what-to-do-in-marrakech-in-october-2026/”>What to Do in Marrakech in October 2026</a> covers the city’s autumn festivals and events.
Tips for US Visitors to Morocco
US citizens do not need a visa for a Marrakech Marathon trip under 90 days, according to the US State Department. Your passport must be valid for at least six months on arrival, with one free page for the entry stamp.
The State Department rates Morocco at Level 2, “Exercise Increased Caution”, because of the risk of terrorism. It says possible targets include tourist sites, transport hubs and markets, so stay alert in crowds.
The State Department says Moroccan dirhams cannot be taken out of the country, so change only what you need. Sums of 100,000 dirhams (about US$10,300) or US$10,000 and up must be declared on arrival.
The race’s partner describes the January climate in Marrakech as often mild. An old layer you can throw away helps during the early wait at the start.
What Is Not Confirmed Yet
The half marathon is set for 9:15 a.m., though one page of the official site still shows 8:30. Check the final timetable in your registration email before race week.
The official site lists the new 5 km run at 9:00 a.m. on one page and at 9:30 a.m. in its programme. Sign-up for it takes place on site at Jemaa el-Fna.
Opening hours of the runners’ village also differ between pages of the official site, so check them in race week. The organiser has not named the elite field or released a road closure plan.
More: Morocco news in English, every day from The Rio Times.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Marrakech Marathon 2027?
The 37th Marrakech Marathon is on Sunday 31 January 2027, with the start at 7:45 a.m. on Avenue de la Ménara. A new 5 km fun run takes place the day before, on Saturday 30 January.
How much does it cost a US runner to enter?
Runners living outside Morocco pay €80 (about US$89) for the marathon and €60 (about US$67) for the half. Sign up on the organiser’s website, marathonmarrakech.ma, or through the Sport Up platform, open until 24 January 2027.
Do US citizens need a visa to run in Marrakech?
No, not for stays under 90 days, according to the US State Department. Your passport needs six months of validity, and you must show it to collect your race bib.
Sources: Marathon International de Marrakech, official website (Association Grand Atlas): 2027 race schedule, 5 km run, bib pickup, prize money, rules, accessed 13 October 2026; Marathon International de Marrakech, official registration page (rates for foreign and Moroccan runners, payment in euros or dirhams), accessed 13 October 2026; Prêt à Partir, official partner: Marrakech Marathon 2027 registration via Sport Up, fees and deadline, accessed 13 October 2026; Prêt à Partir, Marrakech Marathon race page (start time, bib pickup, registration deadline), accessed 13 October 2026; Prêt à Partir, Marrakech Marathon regulations, accessed 13 October 2026; US State Department, Morocco Travel Advisory (Level 2, reissued 21 April 2025), accessed 13 October 2026; US State Department, Morocco country information (entry requirements), accessed 13 October 2026.
Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief · Editorial standards · Report an error
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