The 20th edition of the Zagora Sahara Trail is set to unfold from November 1 to 8, 2025, covering 125 kilometers across several stages in the southeastern Moroccan desert and through the oases of the Drâa-Tafilalet region. More than just a sporting event, this initiative by long-distance runner Lahcen Ahansal is envisioned as an «immersion» enriched by meaningful human encounters, all within a spirit of solidarity. Among the anticipated stages, the second one stands out, stretching 52 kilometers through the Drâa region. The organizers have strategically chosen this location due to its historical significance in commercial transactions between Morocco and sub-Saharan Africa during the 16th century. «The thriving trade between the Drâa River and Timbuktu positioned Morocco as a vital player in ensuring caravan security, acting as a bridge between Africa and Europe, thanks to its geographical location», they highlighted to our editorial team. The same source noted that «this strategic position transformed the Drâa region into a hub for collecting customs duties from caravans, fostering significant regional development and rich socio-cultural exchanges». These caravans historically linked Zagora to Timbuktu in 52 days, leaving behind a regional legacy that the organizers aim to celebrate, in honor of «a renewed Morocco-Africa alliance». In this context, the organizers explained that they drew inspiration from «Morocco's robust re-engagement with the African Union as a strategic ally and catalyst for regional development, as well as the historical markers that immortalized these events».
