After a seven-year interruption, the Race of the Two Seas brought together nearly two thousand runners on the Strait’s seafront promenade.
The return of major road races to the Strait’s sporting scene attests to the growing appeal of Northern metropolises for hosting large-scale events. On Sunday, 8 November 2026, the Tangier seafront promenade buzzed to the rhythm of the Race of the Two Seas Half Marathon, an event successfully organized by the Tangier International Marathon Foundation following a pause of nearly seven years. In the flagship men’s half marathon event, Mohamed Bouanane won decisively, crossing the finish line in a time of one hour, five minutes, and fifteen seconds, pulling clear of runners-up Jamal Aït Ayad and Abdelghani Bamoudod. In the women’s category, Assia Ferrec took first place in one hour, fifty-seven minutes, and thirty-six seconds, followed by Bouthayna Mderreg and French runner Sybille D’Arbonneau.
Strong performances in the ten-kilometer events
The coastal route also set the stage for intense competition in the popular ten-kilometer race, marked by the presence of top-level national athletes. In the men’s division, Hicham El Haddad secured a convincing victory in thirty minutes and twenty seconds, leading the race solo from the opening kilometers to finish ahead of Bilal El Andalousy and Anas Hamraouy. In the women’s standings, international runner Rabab Arafi won in thirty-four minutes and thirty-one seconds ahead of Ibtissam Belghazi and Fadila Ben Jelloun, demonstrating excellent tactical management against the gusts of sea wind sweeping the first half of the course. The technical control shown by the winners confirms the vitality of national middle-distance running when faced with coastal weather constraints along the Strait.
Economic impact and promotion of sports eco-tourism
The popular success of this relaunched edition, bringing together nearly two thousand local and international participants, energizes the economic and tourism ecosystem of the Northern capital. The turnout generated along the waterfront directly boosts activity across hotel complexes, dining establishments, urban transport, and local event service providers. Highlighting the Tangier seafront through sport reinforces the city’s positioning as a preferred destination for sports tourism and wellness stays during peak season. By establishing such mass-participation events over the long term, the region supports job creation in sports management professions and encourages regular physical activity within urban communities.
