DAY 0: EARLY ARRIVAL IN MARRAKECH
Those who opt for early arrival will arrive in Marrakech, where we will pick you up at the airport and take you to our beautiful riad (traditional courtyard house). That evening we’ll enjoy a relaxed rooftop dinner together before turning for a good night of sleep - tomorrow is a full day!
Running: No organized run
Meals: D (dinner)
DAY 1: MARRAKECH
Those who arrived early will enjoy a relaxed breakfast before heading out for the day with our local partner for a walking tour of Marrakech, exploring the palaces, the history and the famous maze-like souks (markets). Meanwhile, we will pick up the others at the airport and take you to our beautiful riad (traditional courtyard house). That evening we will all get to know each other over a delicious welcome dinner right at the riad, and afterward those who manage to hold off the jet lag can go experience the Djemaa El-fna (the central square of the old city): sample local treats, bargain for scarves, charm a cobra, jump into a drum circle or simply wander around and take it all in!
Running: No organized run
Meals: BLD (breakfast, lunch, dinner) for early arrivals; D for regular arrivals
DAY 2: INTO THE PEAKS
After a big breakfast we depart Marrakech will drive far into the upper Ourika Valley to an area scarcely visited by tourists. From a road pass nestled high amongst the mountains we will start our run into the farthest reaches of this beautiful valley, taking in breathtaking views and catching glimpses of daily village life that are never seen from the highways. Lunch will be prepared by our crew and waiting at the end of the run, aching limbs can be soaked in the bracing alpine waters of the Ourika river and then, if we haven’t worn you out yet, you can opt for active recovery with a short hike to nearby waterfalls and a short tour of a traditional Berber household. Afterwards we head back to our guesthouse for a mountain sunset, an evening feast, and some chill time.
Running: up to 9 mi / 15km, 1000 ft / 300m elevation gain/loss; dirt road
Meals: BLD
DAY 3: INTO THE WOODS!
This morning’s run starts right from our hotel and cruises through rare-in-Morocco pine forests, past remote Berber villages and along some stellar single-track on trails seldom visited by tourists. At the mountain top finish line of the run enjoy a restorative picnic lunch packed with fresh fruit, salads, grilled meats, fresh bread and copious amounts of sweet mint tea. That afternoon there will be plenty of time to relax and recover at our secluded valley refuge (and perhaps fit in a visit to a local rug shop as well!)
Running: Up to 10 mi / 16km, 2000 ft / 600m elevation gain/loss; single track, dirt road
Meals: BLD
DAY 4: CROSSING THE HIGH ATLAS
Today we head up, up, up to the start line of our run, in the ski resort town of Oukaimeden - at almost 9,000 ft. We will cross from one huge valley to another through a remote pass on spectacular single track trails. We will descend into a stunning valley of terraced agriculture framed against some of the highest peaks of the High Atlas. After a picnic lunch at the end of the run we depart for the nearby town of Imlil with views of terraced valleys, apple orchards, flowing creeks and the highest mountain in northern Africa, Jebel Toubkal (13,670ft). In the afternoon there will be time to explore Imlil, an outdoor adventure hub from which many mountaineering and trekking expeditions launch.
Running: 7 mi / 12km, 1300 ft / 400m elevation gain, 2500 ft / 750m elevation loss; dirt road & technical mountain single track
Meals: BLD
DAY 5: TEST THOSE MOUNTAIN LEGS
Fell in love with Imlil? Good, because you get to stay a bit longer… and earn your way to the best views yet! We’ll begin from our riad, warming up with a bit of pavement before hitting a rolling dirt road that winds above the valley and below the highest peaks in North Africa, eventually culminating with a challenging single track climb climb to a pass with a big reward at the top - 360 degree views and fresh orange juice! Cruise back down to finish back at the hotel for lunch on the sunny rooftop terrace and time to relax before a short trek to a local home for tea and another hearty dinner.
Running: Up to 10 mi / 16km, 2500 ft / 750m elevation gain/loss; dirt road & technical mountain single track
Meals: BLD
DAY 6: FROM MOUNTAINS TO THE COAST!
Today is a well-deserved recovery day, and we’ve got some ground to cover! Wake up and enjoy a relaxed breakfast at our lodge before we hit the road west to the charming coastal city of Essaouira, whose fortified walls you may recognize from Game of Thrones! We will get settled into our home for the next few nights, a former palace that has since been converted into an opulent riad that will have you feeling like royalty. Enjoy an afternoon relaxing by the pool, or head out to explore the ancient medina before a beachfront dinner. Warning: you may not want to leave.
Running: no scheduled run; afternoon shakeout optional
Meals: BLD
DAY 7: THE END OF THE (BACK)ROAD
After breakfast at the riad we will have a short drive to our final run of the trip at a unique forested mountain near the coast. Protected now as a bio-reserve, you will enjoy sweeping views of both the ocean and the high peaks that we began the week with. There are many great options for a big run today, all on nice, runnable dirt roads. Your final indulgent picnic lunch awaits at the finish before heading back to town with time set aside for exploring the souks or strolling the beach before our grand finale dinner!
Running: up to 9 mi / 15km, 300 ft / 100m elevation gain, 1500 ft / 500m loss; dirt road
Meals: BLD
DAY 8: DEPARTURE
That’s it! Wake up to a final big breakfast and get packed up before departing for Marrakech. We’ll arrive with plenty of time to board flights home, or to connect to further travel.
Running: No organized run
Meals: B