Casablanca Marathon 2026: Race Times, Marathon Village and Getting Around

The Casablanca Marathon returns on Sunday 25 October 2026, with thousands of runners expected on the streets and a free Marathon Village opening earlier in the week. Whether you’re running, cheering someone on or simply travelling across the city, here is what to know.

The 17th edition starts and finishes beside Hassan II Mosque, on Boulevard Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah. The event includes a full marathon, half-marathon and four-person relay. The official event presentation confirms the date and formats.

Race times on Sunday 25 October

• Marathon (42.195 km): elite runners and the first wave at 7:30am; the second wave at 7:35am.
• Relay (four legs of roughly 10.5 km): 7:35am.
• Half-marathon (21.097 km): first wave at 8:45am, with further waves until 9:00am.

The times above are those in the organiser’s practical information and FAQ. Participants should follow the start time assigned to their category and wave, and arrive at least 45 minutes early.

A free Marathon Village from Wednesday

You do not need to be racing to visit the Marathon Village, at Espace Sacré-Cœur on Boulevard Rachidi. It opens:

• Wednesday 21 October: 3:00–7:00pm.
• Thursday 22 to Saturday 24 October: 10:00am–7:00pm each day.

Entry is free for visitors as well as runners. Expect exhibitor stands, running-related activities, family-friendly entertainment and food trucks. Registered runners collect their race bibs here; bring ID and registration confirmation. There is no bib collection on race day. See the organiser’s village announcement.

Watching the race or moving around Casablanca

The start and finish near Hassan II Mosque offer an obvious place to experience the atmosphere. The course also takes in major city streets, including the Corniche and Anfa areas, according to the organiser’s route announcement.

If you’re not taking part, expect disruption along the course on Sunday morning. Specific road-closure times, diversion routes and access arrangements have not been confirmed in the sources used for this article. Check the organiser’s route maps and GPX information and local transport or traffic announcements before making a cross-city journey. Do not assume that a normal driving route will remain open.

Spectators should follow steward instructions, keep the running course clear and allow extra time to reach the start and finish area. For families, the free village earlier in the week is a simpler option than navigating the race-day crowds.

The organiser’s 2026 course map below traces the marathon from Hassan II Mosque through central Casablanca, Maârif and Hay Hassani to Aïn Diab, then back along the Corniche. It shows the route, not a street-by-street road-closure timetable.

Driving on marathon day: what to know

If you’re new to driving in Casablanca, the most useful rule is simple: follow temporary traffic instructions, even if your navigation app suggests a different route. Police officers and authorised traffic controllers may redirect vehicles away from the course. Never move barriers, enter a closed street or drive across a section occupied by runners.

• Plan around the course. Check the official race route before travelling, especially if your journey crosses the Corniche, Anfa or the Hassan II Mosque area.
• Allow extra time. Traffic can build up on surrounding roads as drivers seek alternatives. A route that is normally quick may take considerably longer.
• Avoid parking along the course. Choose legal parking away from the race area and do not obstruct pavements, junctions or emergency access.
• Use extra care around pedestrians. Expect runners, volunteers and spectators near crossings and intersections, including beyond the start and finish.
• Don’t rely on GPS alone. Live navigation can lag behind temporary closures. Follow official diversions and on-site directions.

If you need to reach a hospital, the airport or an appointment at a fixed time, check the latest local traffic information and consider travelling well before the race begins. There is no verified street-by-street closure timetable in this article, so treat the published route as a planning guide, not a guarantee that any particular road will be open.

Planning to run?

Registration and entry conditions are available through the official Casablanca Marathon website. Registration is online only, and the organiser does not offer on-site registration. Check availability and your assigned wave directly; don’t rely on third-party listings for last-minute start times.

For more activities around Morocco this month, see What’s On.