The Long Run

I had intended to blog Taroudant Ladies Football Team today seeing as it's International Women's Day. They play in the new stadium north of town and are very successful, playing in the first division of the national league. Given the national men's team deplorable showing in the African Cup of Nations perhaps they need to come to take lessons. Anyway I haven't got a picture so I will blog an alternative sporting event instead.
This Sunday is the Asta 10km run. Asta, who appear to be a tea and coffee brand who also make C'Bon energy drinks, sponsor other races including the Rabat marathon and the Zagora super-marathon. There is a prize of 10,000Dh for the winner in  both the men's and women's races and  a further prize of 5,000Dh for beating the course record. There are place prizes for the first 10 men and 5 women , the distinction ,I think, reflecting the relevant entry rates.
Last year both the men's and women's events were won by Kenyans but whereas the womens event then was mostly moroccan including a large number of Roudanis with some international entries, the men's event was truly international , although  3 moroccans broke the Kenyann/Ethiopian hegamony on the top 7 places.
It starts at 8am Sunday, although as my informant said that is a morrocan 8am, in front of the Palais Salaam and will finish there about 46 min later.
There are lots of preparations with sponsors signs on lamp posts along the route. Place Aout 20 has lots of activity with temporary stalls erected and temporary cafes and seating selling Asta products. They are also planting up the garden area previously given over only to rocks.