Hey Folks -
Planning a vacation to Morocco, and wanted some guidelines on running there.
We’ll be spending most of the trip (6 days) in those two cities. It’ll be my first time in Morocco - or anywhere in N. Africa, for that matter. I’ll be with my gf, with whom I’ll be running.
So, some questions:
-does anyone run there?
-is there space on the roads/sidewalks to run, or is everything crowded?
-do either of us need to follow any clothing guidelines?
-any particularly good places to run in either city?
And, of course, any useful tips are welcome.
thanks, -Charles
I have not been to Morocco, but I do have a fair amount of experience running in far away and very different places all over the world,
Some tips:
Due to heat, traffic congestion, and air pollution, early morning is about the only time to run in many countries like Morocco. Best time is right at sunrise.
Plan a route and know how to get back to your hotel. Obviously, their may be language difficulties when asking for directions and street/road signs may be in a different script
Take a business card from the hotel with the address on it. If worse comes to worse you can hail a cab and get him to drive you back to the hotel.
Concierges at nicer hotels will discourage you from going running outside and will direct you to the dread-mill in the hotel gym. In most cases ignore them. Running at dawn in many of these countries, along back roads and side streets is the best way to see the place. You see things that I assure you will not be in any tourist guides( take a camera)
There is always a concern about safety, but generally I have found no issues, and I have run in some pretty far, strange and out of the way places. You’ll be a fairly intimidating site as it is and everyone will stare at you - people don’t run for fun and fitness outside of the G8 countries so a person running is a highly unusual site. Kids will run along with you for a bit trying to race you, which is kinda cool
As for your GF, the standard warm weather running attire for women of a sports bra and running shorts is potentially a big no-no in a Muslim country. I would suggest for her, a light long sleeved top, and some light long pants as well as a hat. I am opening a potenial can of worms here, but the more she looks like a man, the better - believe me. Even for you, I would stay away from any kind of sleeveless top. Shorts are “OK” on a man, but realize that outside of the West, ie pretty much the whole rest of the world, the only people in these countries that wear shorts are young boys. Despite withering tropical heat, men wear long pants in many countries around the world.
Have a great trip. Running while abroad in places like Thailand, India, Nepal, Fiji, Kenya, Tanzania, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, and other places has left me with some extraordinary memories and experiences.
You don’t say which cities you’ll be in. Also, haven’t been to Morocco, but spent some weeks in Egypt last year, which is also N Africa, so probably largely similar.
Cairo is massive, much bigger than any Moroccan cities, but I was still able to find space to run, avoiding the main roads, but you need a decent internal compass to remember where you are.
Always carry water, cash and hotel address.
It’s a Muslim country, so take care of offending people - your girlfriend in skimpy running kit may not be in line with local sensibilities. You should be fine, just don’t run with your top off thru a mosque.
Friday’s the holy day, and is much quieter than any other day. Good day to run.
The heat is very dry, so surprisingly tolerable, so you can run in temperatures you may not have considered running in previously.
Just got back from a trip to Marrakech where I’ve been running daily if not twice a day.
You will be surprised as how running friendly the environment is.
For one thing, all traffic whether trucks, buses, cars, mopeds, cyclists are used to pass slower traffic. I was not beeped at once in all my runs. People wil make conscious efforts to give you enough space, whether it is early in the morning or during rush hour.
On my running route, one day I met a few local runners and they indicated me, in a very nice way, that people run with the traffic. And I adapted.
Also: you will see a lot more local women running than you would think. Those ladies are out there trying to get some exercise but they are not clad in minis or bras but are not wearing the burqua either: track suits for most.
If you’re lucky and your hotel is in the Palmeraie or l’Hivernage, you will find easy routes to run. Too bad you do not have your bike as I saw quite a few good bikers riding towards the mountains.
Last: you may found some heat…but Marrakech being at the edge of the Sahara desert, it is real dry and pleasant.
Don’t know much about Essaouira except it is hilly and windy and a great surfing spot.
Shorts for males have been acceptable in the predominately Muslim countries I’ve been in. For entering a mosque you will need pants or if they allow shorts, they must go past your knees.
For females I can only remember what it was in the last country I was in which was covered shoulders and dresses or pants. Also, most places will not want you in there during a time of worship.
Shorts TShirts, just like home. Do you know by any chance which hotel you are staying at?
Generally speaking, Marrakech’s main revenue is tourism. Local people are used to see tourists everywhere and have learned to behave: no harrassing. And the police is everywhere (but you dont see it) to make sure tourists are left alone.
In the end, I found the Morrocans very friendly and welcoming.
Last thing, that you may already know: tips everywhere…except maybe the customs agent Otherwise, carry change and you’ll make everyone happy. A coin, any size will take you a long way.
I believe I know the city pretty well so if you need any advise, don’t hesitate.
Thanks for all the feedback.
Our hotel is in the Medina, by the main square. So I’m guessing a bit more cramped. But perhaps we could take a bus out to Hivernage.
Any particularly good destinations for running? Places worth taking a bus to (like a nice park, or a river to run alongside)?
great running there
since you stay a the medina run towards the west (direction to airport ) and you will find great tracks through the ornange trees withs great views to the atlas mountain (ps before 7.30 the medina is quiet and its fab to run !!!)
female marocan runners would usually train in tights with running shorts on top (and it never hurts to follow the custom of a country )
same for males it dosnt have to be a running top and your shortest shorts (t shirt and slightly longer running shorts are fine)
eassauiera the beach promenade is great
both places are fantasic.
ps if you have old running gear and even used traineres bring them with you if you can, and make some runners happy.
About 15 years ago I was in northern Morocco. I got hassled by kids for coins and vendors heavily. One day I wore a t-shirt that had like 12 flags on it, I didn’t even really know what was on it, but some guy spotted the israeli flag. He would not stop asking me if I was Israeli or jewish. He didn’t understand it was a t-shirt with a lot of flags, or didn’t see the other dozen or more flags on there. As was stated, cops are everywhere and you don’t want to pull off some midnight express mistake. Obviously you are looking for an exotic vacation - wish I could have visited the endless summer coast. Bring back one of those cool red garbage can hats with tassel!
I was there two summers ago. Wake up early because it gets HOT at this time of year.
There is definately no running to be had in the Medina, but the main square (Jem al Fna) is near the city wall, so you can get out of the medina easily. You can run laps around the city wall, but it would be kind of boring. I went up to the Atlas for a few days and the running in the foothills would be great. It is a little cooler up there, and is actually very close to the city (easy day trip). The foothills are also not very steep, but good rolling terrain. Air is cleaner too.
Essouira has a lot of running potential along the beach. If you want to get epic you can get into the desert pretty easily outside of the city and run on some surreal straight, flat roads that cut through the most barren landscape you will ever see. BYO water.
Have a great time. Here is one travel tip from my trip: I got sick most times I ate at a “nice” restaurant and was absolutely fine every time I ate the street food of questionable provinance (brains, snails, etc…).
PK, that’s a great idea, bringing along extra gear. Any idea where we’d go to donate it?
In Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras I just leave it in the hotel near, but not in the trashcan. One of the bellhops in Cozumel was really interested in my size 10.5 brooks glycerins. Most 2nd and 3rd world people are very industrious and don’t let anything go to waste.
In Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras I just leave it in the hotel near, but not in the trashcan. … Most 2nd and 3rd world people are very industrious and don’t let anything go to waste.
interesting. worth trying, if nothing else seems doable.
When my sister has been to Africa, she just leaves extra items in her hotel room with a note to the maids or cleaning crew that they’re welcome to keep what’s been left there. It’ll filter to people who can genuinely use it.
Back!
Thanks again to all who gave tips and advice.
we only went running once in Marrakesh, but it was a very fun experience. The best part was waking up and running early, right through the Medina. such a cool change from walking there during the day and dodging scooters and donkeys. after that, we just ran west of the city. many of the streets, like Mohammed VI, have significant pedestrian zones that work well for running.
Did not make it to the Oukira Valley, but did spend an amazing day up in the mountains by Imlil, where we did 4-5 hours of hiking - half with a guide, half without,
Running in Essouaria was much more straightforward. the first run was along the coast, which was easy but a bit dull. the second we went the other way along the coast, where we wound up on an unpaved ‘road’ that led us along some sand dunes. that was pretty cool. we ran past one herd of cattle but the second herd was really blocking the road, and we didn’t have it in us to run through them. and they seem to raise a disproportionately high number of bulls in their herds.
in marrakesh, there was no shortage of scantily clad western women, and plenty of the Moroccan women were wearing short sleeves. so that was less of an issue than we’d thought.
we’d gathered some stuff to give away, but didn’t wind up taking it. our original flight out went through dublin, and was cancelled due to the stupid icelandic volcano, so when we left the house we really didn’t know where we’d wind up. oh well.
thanks again for all the tips, an amazing experience.
Otherwise, carry change and you’ll make everyone happy. A coin, any size will take you a long way.