The Ultra Trail Amizmiz wasn’t just a race—it was a celebration of athleticism, community, and compassion. Held this weekend at the base of Morocco’s majestic High Atlas Mountains, the seventh edition of the event brought together around 650 runners from all over the globe, each one drawn to the challenge and the striking beauty of the terrain. And when it came to performance, Moroccan athletes dominated the field across every major distance.
In the grueling 90-kilometer event—the crown jewel of the race—Morocco claimed a clean sweep. Noureddine Ihazmad led the charge, crossing the finish line ahead of fellow countrymen Abdellatif Ait Chkort and Abdelaziz Ait Ouanakhar. It was a commanding performance that underscored the home team’s strength in endurance running. On the women’s side, French runner Géraldine Prost took the top spot, followed by her compatriot Karine Matt, with Sweden’s Lovisa Hammarlund rounding out the podium.
The 42-kilometer marathon also saw a strong showing from Moroccan athletes. Abderazzak Elhjouji took first place, just edging out France’s Sébastien Pouchain and Indonesia’s Adam Nowak. In the women’s race, France’s Léonore Pelé came out on top, ahead of Austria’s Sarah Ennemoser and Tunisia’s Mouna Kortas.
The 64-kilometer challenge followed a similar script, with Moroccan runner Amine Tihani seizing victory. Among the women, Italy’s Dinahlee Calzolari claimed the win, adding some international flair to the results.
Moroccan athletes also made their mark in the shorter events. Nourddine Bachqi clinched the men’s title in the 20-kilometer race, while French runner Ségolène Hablot took first place in the women’s competition. In the 10-kilometer run, it was an all-Moroccan affair once again, with Imadeddine Ait Allal and Hafsa Lahwou winning in the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively.
But the event wasn’t just about clocking times or crossing finish lines. This year’s race carried a powerful gesture of goodwill: organizers distributed bicycles to local schoolchildren, making their daily journey to education a little easier. It was a poignant reminder that while the Ultra Trail Amizmiz pushes the physical limits of its participants, it also stays grounded in the values of community and connection to the land.
