Sahara Marathon

The Sahara Marathon is an international sport event to demonstrate solidarity with the Saharawi people. Its first edition was in 2001, from an idea of Jeb Carney. It’s organized by the Secretary of State for Sport, Government of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic with the help of volunteers from all over the world.

The Sahara Marathon, which along with the standard-distance marathon also includes the shorter distances of 21km, 10km, 5km and the children’s race, is aimed at promoting sport activity among Saharawi young men and women and financing and developing humanitarian programs. But also wants, through sport, to raise awareness and sensitize the world about a 42-year-long conflict.

42 years of suffering for a population affected by a conflict that is burying their hopes, generation after generation, in the refugee camps of Tindouf (Algeria), far from their home. 42 years during which the international community has not been able to unlock the situation. A race to prevent the Saharawi people from being forgotten.