The Kenyan Kiplimo Laban and his compatriot Kimutai Jepkosgei won, on Sunday, the 24th edition of the Laayoune international half-marathon, a sporting event placed under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, as part of the festivities marking the celebration of 49th anniversary of the Green March. The Kenyan runner covered the 20 km of the event in 1h 46sec, ahead of the Moroccans Yassine El Alami (1h 01mn 12sec) and Ahmed El Hassouni (1h 01mn 14sec).
Among the women, Jepkosgel won in 1h 09mn 24sec, followed by her compatriot, Chepkoech Faith (1h 10mn 07s) and the Moroccan Rkia El Moukim (1h 10mn 25sec).
Initiated by the Chabab Sakla El Hamra athletics association, under the aegis of the Royal Moroccan Athletics Federation (FRMA) and the Regional Athletics League, with the assistance of several partners, this event kept its promises with a massive participation of nearly 3,000 athletes from different countries.
Likewise, two races were organized for young people under 16 over a distance of 3 km and another of 5 km for the benefit of pupils and students from institutes and university establishments, the objective being to encourage this category to practice athletics and bring sport closer to younger generations.
Thanks to the excellence of its organization, the Laayoune half-marathon, which was approved by the International Athletics Federation (IAAF) and the International Road Racing Association, has acquired great notoriety over the years.
At the end of this competition, Prizes were awarded to the winners, in the presence of the wall of the Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra region, governor of the province of Laayoune, Abdeslam Bekrate, the president of the Regional Council, Sidi Hamdi Ould Errachid, the president of the commune, Moulay Hamdi Ould Errachid, consuls general of Arab and African countries accredited in Laayoune and elected officials.
Morocco
