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42.2 km through the medina & Palmeraie
Marrakech Marathon 2027: Runner’s Guide
Race dates, registration steps, course breakdown by kilometre, January weather data, where to stay and what to do with the rest of your trip — everything a travelling runner needs to plan a Marrakech Marathon week.
Yasmine El Amrani· Marrakech & Atlas Editor
Marrakech-born travel writer who has spent the last decade walking the medina’s souks and the High Atlas trails above Imlil. She covers the Red City, Berber villages and day trips into the mountains. Marrakech · 12+ years covering Morocco
Published 22 January 2026 Last updated 26 April 2026
The Marrakech International Marathon — run every January on the last Sunday of the month — is one of the most atmospheric road races in Africa. The start gun fires on Jemaa el-Fna, the medieval square where snake charmers and storytellers work nightly, and the course loops through the Palmeraie palm grove before returning through the ancient medina to the same square. If you have ever wanted to run a marathon that feels genuinely unlike every other marathon, this is the one.
For 2027, the race is expected on 31 January 2027 (official confirmation lands in autumn 2026 on the race website). Registration typically opens six months before race day — meaning July or August 2026 for the 2027 edition. Entry fills fast for the full marathon, so reading this now puts you ahead of the curve.
The practical calculus also works well: January is low season in Marrakech, which means riad prices are reasonable, the souks are manageable, and the cool mornings are close to ideal running conditions. Most marathon tourists stay four to seven nights, weaving in an Atlas day trip or a quick run down to Essaouira either side of race day.
Expected race date
31 Jan 2027
Start temp (Jan avg)
8–12°C
Full marathon cutoff
6 hours
Entry fee (indicative)
from ~350 MAD
Race Distances & Entry Fees
Three distances run simultaneously on marathon morning — all starting and finishing on Jemaa el-Fna.
| Event | Distance | Cutoff time | Entry fee (indicative) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Marathon | 42.195 km | 6 hours | from ~350–500 MAD |
| Half Marathon | 21.1 km | 3.5 hours | from ~250–350 MAD |
| 10 km Race | 10 km | 1.5 hours | from ~150–200 MAD |
Fees are indicative based on prior years. Always verify current pricing at marathon-marrakech.com. A medical certificate confirming fitness to race is required at registration — allow several weeks to obtain one from your GP.
The Course, Kilometre by Kilometre
The Marrakech Marathon is a certified flat course — total elevation gain under 80 metres — making it a realistic target for personal bests in good conditions.
0–5 km
Start: Jemaa el-Fna
The race begins in the heart of the medina. The crowd noise in the first kilometre is unlike any European city marathon — street performers, drum circles and thousands of spectators packed into the square send runners off on a wave of noise.
5–15 km
Gueliz & Hivernage
The route moves into the wide, French-planned boulevards of Gueliz, offering flat, shaded running past the Menara Gardens. Pace groups typically string out here — use this section to settle into your target speed.
15–28 km
Palmeraie palm grove
The course threads through the Palmeraie, the semi-rural belt of palms north of the city. The road is quiet and the canopy provides shade. Wind can pick up here, so tuck behind a pace group if conditions are against you.
28–35 km
Atlas foothills approach
The second half turns south with the snow-capped High Atlas visible on clear January mornings. There is a gradual elevation gain in this stretch — nothing dramatic, but enough to feel at kilometre 30. Fuelling stations are well spaced.
35–42.2 km
Finish: Jemaa el-Fna
The route loops back into the medina for a finish on Jemaa el-Fna. The final kilometre is the loudest. Spectators pack the square and the finisher area has water, orange slices, medals and enough post-race chaos to make you feel genuinely accomplished.
On clear January mornings, the snow-capped Atlas is visible from the course — one of the more memorable backdrops in road running.
Training & Logistics Tips
What experienced marathon travellers wish they had known before race week.
Train on mixed terrain
The course is mostly flat tarmac, but January wind in the Palmeraie can add perceived effort. Incorporate tempo runs into your long runs from October onwards.
Arrive 3–4 days early
Acclimatisation matters less here than at altitude races, but jet lag and travel fatigue are real. Arriving Thursday or Friday for a Sunday race gives you time to rest, explore and collect your race pack at the expo.
Heat-test your race kit
January mornings start around 8–12°C at the gun, rising to 16–20°C by mid-race. A light long sleeve you can tie around your waist works well. Avoid heavy cold-weather gear — you will be peeling it off by kilometre 10.
Race pack collection
The expo typically runs at a venue in Gueliz or the Palais des Congrès for two days before the race. Bring your registration confirmation and passport-sized photo ID. A private transfer from your riad to the expo avoids medina parking headaches.
Post-race recovery plan
Book a hammam for the evening after the race. The traditional steam-and-scrub treatment is the single best thing you can do for aching quads in Marrakech. Many riads can arrange in-house hammam sessions.
Getting to Marrakech & Race Week Logistics
Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) receives direct flights from most major European hubs — London, Paris, Amsterdam, Madrid and Frankfurt among them. Flight time from London is around 3.5 hours; from Paris, 3 hours. January is low season, so fares are often cheaper than the busy spring period, typically ranging from £80–£180 return from the UK (indicative, varies considerably by airline and booking lead time).
From the airport to the medina, a petit taxi takes around 15 minutes and costs 80–120 MAD (indicative). If you are arriving with race kit, nutrition and luggage, a private transfer is worth booking in advance — it saves the negotiation at the taxi rank when you are tired from travel. Private transfers from Menara Airport to central riads typically run 150–250 MAD (indicative).
Race packet collection (bib, timing chip, finisher t-shirt sizing) takes place at the official expo, usually held at the Palais des Congrès or a Gueliz hotel conference space for two days before the race. Do not skip this to look at the medina — no bib, no start line.
For accommodation, staying in a medina riad within 10 minutes’ walk of Jemaa el-Fna is the most atmospheric option and eliminates race-morning transport stress. If you prefer a hotel gym for pre-race shakeout runs, the Gueliz district has larger international properties. Budget to mid-range riads in the medina run from around 500–1,500 MAD per night in January (indicative).
Suggested 7-Night Marathon Trip Structure
Day 1 (Wed)Arrive Marrakech, check in, rest and explore the medina at an easy pace.
Day 2 (Thu)Race expo: collect bib and chip. Easy 20-minute shakeout run in Gueliz.
Day 3 (Fri)Atlas Mountains day trip or Ouarzazate — low impact sightseeing, feet up by 5 pm.
Day 4 (Sat)Pre-race day: carb-load, course walk-through on Jemaa el-Fna, early bed.
Day 5 (Sun)Race day. Start 8 am. Finish, recover, hammam in the evening.
Day 6 (Mon)Recovery: Majorelle Garden, Bahia Palace, slow lunch in the souks.
Day 7 (Tue)Day trip to Essaouira or Aït Benhaddou. Depart Wednesday.
A private guided driver for the Atlas or Essaouira day trips is the simplest way to manage timing around race fatigue — no buses, no shared schedules.
Marrakech Marathon 2027 FAQs
When is the Marrakech Marathon in 2027?
The Marrakech International Marathon is traditionally held on the last Sunday of January. For 2027, the race is expected to fall on 31 January 2027, though official dates are published by the organiser (Marathon International de Marrakech) typically in the preceding autumn. Check the official website at marathon-marrakech.com for confirmed dates and any schedule changes. Registration usually opens around six months before race day, often in July or August the year prior.
How do I register for the Marrakech Marathon?
Registration is handled through the official race website at marathon-marrakech.com. You create an account, select your distance (full, half or 10 km), upload a medical certificate confirming fitness to race (required by Moroccan athletics regulations — ask your GP for this several weeks before entry opens), and pay the entry fee online. Entry fees run from around 150–500 MAD (indicative) depending on distance and how early you register. Demand for the full marathon fills up quickly; early registration is strongly advised.
What is the Marrakech Marathon course route?
The full marathon starts and finishes on Jemaa el-Fna square in the heart of the medina. The out-and-back loop takes runners through the French-planned boulevards of Gueliz, past the Menara Gardens, into the Palmeraie palm grove, and south toward the Atlas foothills before circling back. The course is certified flat — total elevation gain is under 80 metres — making Marrakech a realistic target for personal bests if conditions cooperate. The half marathon and 10 km follow a shorter variant of the same route.
What is the weather like in Marrakech during marathon season?
January is one of the best months to run in Marrakech. Morning temperatures at the 8 am start are typically 8–12°C, warming to 16–20°C by the time full marathon runners hit the later kilometres. Rain is possible but not common — January averages about 5–7 rainy days per month in Marrakech. Wind through the Palmeraie section is the main weather variable to manage. Runners used to cold-weather marathons in Northern Europe or North America often find the conditions unexpectedly warm by the back half.
Are there half-marathon or 10 km options at the Marrakech Marathon?
Yes. The event offers three distances: the full marathon (42.195 km), a half marathon (21.1 km) and a 10 km fun run. The half marathon is particularly popular with international runners who want the atmosphere of the race without the full training commitment. All three distances start from Jemaa el-Fna and finish in the same square, so spectators can cheer at both start and finish. Entry fees and cutoff times vary — see the race website for the current year's specifics.
Where should marathon runners stay in Marrakech?
Stay inside the medina for the full experience — a riad within walking distance of Jemaa el-Fna means you can walk to the start line and stagger back to your bed after the finish. The Mouassine and Bab Doukkala neighbourhoods are both walkable to the start and quieter than the square itself. If you prefer modern comfort and easier logistics, the Gueliz district (the new town) has larger hotels, good restaurants, and the race expo venue tends to be nearby. Budget riads from around 400–800 MAD per night; mid-range from 1,000–2,000 MAD.
What should I do in Marrakech the day after the marathon?
Plan a low-key day with a late breakfast at a medina café, then a hammam session in the early afternoon — your legs will thank you. Café de France on Jemaa el-Fna for mint tea with a rooftop view is a reliable post-race ritual. If your quads allow it, a gentle wander through the Majorelle Garden or the Bahia Palace is a perfect pace for the day after. Many runners extend their trip with a day tour to the Atlas Mountains or Ouarzazate while their non-running travel companions explore the souks.
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