Ouirgane – The fifth edition of the Sonasid High Atlas Ultra Trail (HAUT) kicked off this weekend in Toubkal National Park, drawing a record 1,150 runners from 26 countries to compete across six race categories spanning 10 km to 120 km. Foreign athletes represented more than 30% of the field.
The event, which runs from April 18 to 20, traverses Amazigh villages between Imlil and Ouirgane, with the flagship 120 km ultra featuring 6,400 meters of elevation gain through cliffs, gorges, waterfalls, and ridgelines reaching 3,000 meters above sea level.
The race is taking place inside Toubkal National Park, Morocco’s first protected area established in 1942, spanning over 380 km² around North Africa’s highest peak. Courses thread through the Imlil and Azzaden valleys, passing Amazigh villages, agricultural terraces, and ancient mountain trails.
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HOPE (Espoir) Association president and event director Kaoutar Bendoumou told Morocco World News (MWN) that the ambition has been clear since the first edition. “We sought to create more than a race – a space for encounter, challenge, and impact that contributes to the development of both participants and host communities,” she affirmed.
Winners of the HAUT 21 receive full sponsorship to compete in Switzerland’s Sierre-Zinal and Thyon-Dixence races, linking Atlas mountain talent to Europe’s elite trail circuit.
HAUT is built on a concept that ties competitive trail running to rural development and environmental stewardship. Certified under the International Trail Running Association’s (ITRA) Green Commitment program, the race operates on 10 core pledges – from waste reduction and recycling to employing local residents, distributing sports equipment to mountain youth, and supporting athletes from disadvantaged backgrounds.
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Routes are designed to be inclusive, with categories for beginners through elite runners, accessible options for persons with disabilities, and free entry for children from surrounding villages.
Organized by the HOPE Association for Sport and Sustainable Development, HAUT was born after its founders completed a 280 km traverse of the Grand Atlas and witnessed untapped athletic potential in remote mountain communities.
The race has since grown into an internationally recognized event. Last year’s edition drew 950 runners from 20 countries and generated over 3,000 overnight stays and 9,000 meals, directly supporting the rural economy of Al Haouz province. The organization mobilized 120 staff members, including 70 paid local residents and 20 muletiers.
Speaking to MWN, HOPE Association member Chahinaz Bendoumou said the growth reflects more than scenery. “This success is not just related to the landscape of this region but also the passion that the team wants to deliver,” she said.
Bendoumou confirmed that every hotel in the surrounding area is fully booked, generating over 3,000 overnight stays. A new initiative this year, the Solidarity Trail Market, allows local cooperatives and associations to showcase and sell their products to visitors. “This is the impact that trail running has on the economy of the region,” she told MWN.
Management team member Abdellah Oueld Leghzal told MWN that runners at HAUT “are not only tourists but athletes competing for a title.” He stressed the organizing team’s mission is to “afford the best experience” for competitors to reach peak performance across the park’s demanding terrain.
The 2026 edition also introduces a corporate challenge with a dedicated company leaderboard, panoramic photo zones with partner branding, an expanded expo village for outdoor and nutrition brands, and a reinforced kids trail.
HAUT is also launching a project to build an athletics track in Ouirgane, adding permanent sports infrastructure to a race that continues to put Morocco’s High Atlas on the global trail running map.
