The Kenyans Kiplimo Laban and Kimutai Jepkosgei won the 24th Laayoune International Half-Marathon, held on Sunday as part of the celebrations for the 49th anniversary of the Green March.
Kiplimo completed the challenging 20 km course in an impressive time of 1 hour and 46 seconds, just beating Moroccan runners Yassine El Alami and Ahmed El Hassouni, who finished with times of 1 hour, 1 minute, and 12 seconds, and 1 hour, 1 minute, and 14 seconds, respectively.
In the women’s race, Jepkosgei clinched victory with a time of 1 hour, 9 minutes, and 24 seconds, followed closely by her compatriot Chepkoech Faith, who clocked in at 1 hour, 10 minutes, and 7 seconds.
Moroccan athlete Rkia El Moukim finished third, crossing the line at 1 hour, 10 minutes, and 25 seconds, highlighting the competitive spirit of the event.
This year’s half-marathon, organized by the Chabab Sakia El Hamra Athletics Association and authorized by the Royal Moroccan Athletics Federation and the Regional Athletics League, attracted nearly 3,000 athletes from various countries, showcasing the growing interest in long-distance running in Morocco.
The event included two youth races, offering distances of 3 km and 5 km for participants under 16, aiming to inspire younger generations to engage in athletics and promote a healthy lifestyle.
The Laayoune International Half-Marathon is recognized for its excellent organization and is officially certified by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and the Association of International Marathon and Distance Races.
Over the years, it has developed a reputation as a premier event in the athletics calendar, drawing participants from around the world.
After the competition, awards were presented to the winners in a ceremony attended by notable local officials, including Abdeslam Bekrate, the Wali (governor) of the Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra region, and Sidi Hamdi Ould Errachid, the President of the regional council.