Casablanca Marathon: World Athletics Elite Label and live tracking app

Organisers of the 17th Crédit du Maroc Casablanca Marathon announced at a press conference in Casablanca on Friday that the race, set for Sunday, October 25, has secured the World Athletics Elite Label. They also presented a runner-tracking app and a new inclusion initiative for the event.

Held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, this year’s edition sees both the marathon and the half-marathon added to the official World Athletics Label Road Races 2026 calendar. The international body will also certify the marathon course.

Live tracking and Challenge 421

A new mobile application will let relatives and spectators follow each participant’s progress on a map all the way to the finish line.

This edition also introduces the “Challenge 421”, described by organisers as a first in Morocco. Under the scheme, people with disabilities will run the final 421 metres of the marathon, cross the same finish line as the other competitors and then receive their medal.

Bouchta El Fadel, president of the Association des Coureurs du Grand Casablanca (ACGC), said the Elite Label is an important recognition for the race, but also requires it to meet demanding international organisational standards. He said the goal is to turn the event into a leading international sporting fixture as well as a popular celebration that boosts the city’s profile and animates the metropolis.

Elite field

Moroccan and foreign elite athletes will line up on Sunday. In the women’s marathon, the main names are Ethiopia’s Bere Ayalew and Sofia Assefa, alongside Morocco’s Fatima Ezzahra Gardadi. The leading men include El Hassan El Abbassi of Bahrain and Ethiopians Abayneh Degu Tsehay and Workineh Tadese Mandefro.

The men’s half-marathon features Morocco’s Mustapha Akkaoui and Kenyans Shadrack Korir Kipyegon and Joshua Munyoto Kit.

Three races, 15,000 runners

Run under the slogan “Vibe Casa – Casablanca court. Casablanca vibre.”, the programme includes the marathon (42.195 km), the half-marathon (21.097 km) and a team relay (4 × 10.5 km).

Organisers expect 12,000 runners in the half-marathon, 2,200 in the marathon and 800 in the relay, split into 200 teams.