The Sahara Desert and Ahansal are one. The Sahara Desert and Ahansal are immersed into sharing the most exotic, mystical and athletic experiences in the world with other runners.  The Sahara Desert and Ahansal invite runners from the world to train by running alongside them.  In addition to traditional training, they offer teaching techniques, and strategies for desert long distance running.  AHANSAL BROTHERS, LAHCEN and MOHAMED, are thirteen time winners of the world famous Marathon des sables, the course of which is very near Zagora.  LAHCEN has ten victories in Marathon des Sables and MOHAMED has three victories in Marathon des Sables.

ZAGORA MARATHON in MOROCCO is one of the few desert marathons in the world and it boasts of several course changes in terrain which includes dunes, tracks, rocky paths and mountain challenges.  The course offers approximately 850 meters of elevation change.  Zagora is 300 km south of Marrakech and is the gateway to the enormous expanse that is the Sahara. The Zagora Marathon and Half Marathon have a start and finish in Zagora, and the course is a buckle of the most interesting landscape and introduction to

small  villages and to the people who inhabit the magical Sahara Desert.  Experience the desert when it is the color of purple and then when it is the color of sand.  Enjoy the small streams of water and look forward to other changes along the route.  Experience the New Year's Eve pasta part under the stars to welcome  the New Year which enjoins camaraderie around a huge campfire with all the athletes and guests.

The AHANSAL BROTHERS are the founders, organizers and directors for the ZAGORA MARATHON.  It was inspired by their love of sport, by their love of the desert and by their devotion to Morocco.  It evokes their dedication to sport and the marathon is an opportunity to pursue their support for young local athletes who can have the experience of running with elite athletes, who come from around the world to participate in and to compete in this unique race. There is an overwhelming spirit which is woven through the fabric of  this race and at the same time it is a race sought after more and more by elite runners because it also offers all of the advantages of a very professional race in the form of generous prize money for winners in many categories.