Casablanca Marathon: novelties include pacemaker and performance premiums
Morocco, Local, 3/13/2003

The sixth Casablanca international marathon to be held next Sunday will feature this year novelties meant to improve the event timing, including the introduction of a pacemaker and awards for the best timing.

The marathon organizers said at a press conference the pacemaker who will be running the first 25 km will be given between US$ 4,000 and US$ 4,500.

Performance awards will reward athletes who will run the distance in a timing ranging between 2h 10mn and 2h 12 min.

From 2,700 participants who registered for the first marathon in 1997, the 5th edition saw the participation of 7,800 and organizers expect 10,000 to 15,000 participants in this year's marathon.

Famed athletes from Kenya, Ethiopia, Russia, Italy, Djibouti and France, in addition to Moroccan athletes including title holder Rachid Khanmouni and record-holder Boubker El Afoui (2h 10'33") are expected to show up.

The Casablanca marathon is part of the Euro-Mediterranean Grand Prize set up in October 2001 in partnership with the Berlin and Palermo marathons organizers.

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