26,000 take part in Casablanca’s Women’s Run

Casablanca, Morocco – Ethiopian athletes dominated the 2008 edition of the annual 10km road race for women – IAAF Silver Label – which was held today in Casablanca (18).

The race is organised by the Moroccan Association Sport and Development, chaired by Nawal El Moutawakel, IAAF Council and IOC Member, an organisation whose Honorary President is HRH the Princess Lalla Meryem, older sister of the King of Morocco, HRH Mohammed VI.

Ethiopian Firehiwot Dado succeeded last year’s champion Zhor El Kamch of Morocco, winning in 33:58, ahead of compatriots Aboudou Gelan (34:03) and Emebet Lencho (34:04). Moroccans filled the next three places – Moukim Rkia was fourth (34:10), and Samira Raif, 34, a veteran of the Moroccan team was fifth (34:17). The next runner, El Bahjaoui Hanan, finished in a distant 36:17.

The passion for this annual sports event continues unabated with more than 26,000 women participating, aged from 15 to 75 years and from all social classes. This mass of humanity congregated together for the start of the 10km in the heart of Casablanca, in the city’s famous Place Mohammed V, in an atmosphere of joy and friendship, a beautiful promotion for Moroccan womanhood and a symbol of its emancipation