Short answer
The Marrakech International Marathon 2027 is on Sunday 31 January, with the half marathon the same morning. The marathon starts at 07:45 on Avenue de la Menara, and a 5K Race for All runs on Saturday 30 January. Arrive by Friday to collect your bib at the marathon village by the Koutoubia. Airport rides are quoted on request; groups travel by van or minibus.
Marrakech Marathon 2027: the dates
The marathon and the half marathon are both on Sunday 31 January 2027. The official site, marathonmarrakech.ma, gives a 07:45 start for the marathon; the half marathon starts later the same morning. Its pages do not all give the same half marathon start time, so check the final programme in your race pack.
New for 2027 is a 5K Course pour Tous, or Race for All, on Saturday 30 January at 09:00, starting in front of the Koutoubia mosque. The registration page lists 31 January as the event date, so confirm the day of the 5K when you register.
The marathon falls just before Ramadan, which is expected to start around 8 February 2027, so restaurants and cafés keep their normal hours over the race weekend.
Start, finish and the course
According to the official course page, the marathon and half marathon start and finish on Avenue de la Menara, in the Hivernage district near the Sofitel and La Mamounia, a short walk from the medina walls.
The race is known as a flat, fast city course, run on wide avenues; past editions have taken it through the Palmeraie palm groves north of the city. Check the official course map and elevation profile on marathonmarrakech.ma, as the route can change from one edition to the next.
Late January mornings in Marrakech are cool, close to single figures at dawn, and the day warms up quickly in the sun. Bring a throwaway layer for the start.
Bib collection and the marathon village
The marathon village, where you collect your bib and race pack, is on the Koutoubia and Jemaa el-Fna side of the medina on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 January 2027. Bring your passport or ID and your registration confirmation.
Do not count on collecting your bib on race morning: plan to be in Marrakech by Saturday at the latest. Arriving on Friday gives you a calm day to collect your bib, walk part of the course and eat well before the race.
Getting from the airport to your hotel
Marrakech Menara airport is 7 km from the medina, about 10 min by car, so you can land on Friday afternoon and still collect your bib that day. Book flights and the transfer early: the race weekend brings thousands of runners to the city.
Airport rides to and from your hotel are quoted on request. Send your flight number, the number of runners and bags and your hotel address, and the office replies with a price per vehicle, agreed in writing before you fly. The driver follows your flight and waits in the arrivals hall with a name sign; the first 60 minutes after landing are free.
If you are staying in a medina riad, ask the riad which car access point it uses. Cars cannot enter most of the medina lanes, and on race weekend the area around the Koutoubia is busier than usual.
Road closures on race day
On Sunday morning the roads on the course are closed to traffic, and the course runs through the centre of the city. Cars cannot drive you to the start line, and crossing the city by car can be slow until the course reopens.
Most runners walk to the start. Hotels in Hivernage are a short walk away; from Gueliz or the medina allow 20 to 30 minutes on foot. If you are staying outside the centre, in the Palmeraie or on the Ourika road for example, book a drop-off early in the morning and confirm with the office where the driver can stop.
Flying home on Sunday afternoon is possible, but book the airport ride for after the roads reopen and allow time for traffic. If you can, leave on Monday.
Running clubs and groups
For a club or a group of friends, one larger vehicle is simpler than several taxis. A van takes up to 7 guests and a minibus up to 16, with room for everyone's bags.
Group airport transfers are quoted on request. Send the flight numbers, the number of runners on each and the hotel, and the office plans the pickups, for example one minibus for a group arriving together or separate cars for staggered flights.
Clubs often add a team dinner or an outing after the race. A driver by the time, 900 MAD for a half day or 1,600 MAD for a full day, can take the group out of town and back.
After the race: easy day trips
Legs need rest, but a car trip suits recovery. The Agafay desert, about 45 min away, is an easy afternoon with a sunset and dinner at a camp, from 1,200 MAD per car. Dress warmly: late January evenings there are cold.
With a fresh day, the Ourika valley (900 MAD) or Imlil (1,000 MAD) gives you snowy Atlas views in winter with as much or as little walking as you like. Essaouira, about 2 h 45 away, is a full day on the Atlantic from 1,850 MAD.
Plan the trip
Common questions
When is the Marrakech Marathon 2027?
Sunday 31 January 2027. The marathon starts at 07:45 and the half marathon later the same morning, according to marathonmarrakech.ma.
Is there a 5K at the Marrakech Marathon?
Yes. The official site lists a 5K Race for All on Saturday 30 January 2027 at 09:00, starting in front of the Koutoubia. Confirm the day when you register.
Where does the Marrakech Marathon start and finish?
On Avenue de la Menara in Hivernage, near the Sofitel and La Mamounia, according to the official course page.
Where do I collect my bib for the Marrakech Marathon?
At the marathon village on the Koutoubia and Jemaa el-Fna side of the medina, on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 January 2027. Bring your passport or ID.
Are roads closed in Marrakech on marathon day?
Yes. The roads on the course are closed on Sunday morning, so cars cannot reach the start and crossing the city is slow. Plan to walk to the start and book any car around the closures.
How do I get from Marrakech airport to my hotel for the marathon?
Book a private transfer: the price is quoted on request per vehicle, the driver waits in arrivals with your name and the drive to the centre takes about 10 min. Groups travel by van or minibus.
