For his first go to to the 2025 Damaged Arrow Skyrace, Elhousine Elazzaoui of Morocco is selecting to give attention to the 23k occasion. On this interview, he talks about dwelling and coaching within the city of Zagora within the Sahara Desert, his household’s heritage as nomadic Berbers, his experiences racing within the U.S., and his objectives for the Golden Path World Sequence this 12 months.
For extra on who’s racing, try our in-depth 23k previews and observe our reside race protection on Sunday.
[Editor’s Note: If you are unable to see the video above, click here to access it.]
Elhousine Elazzaoui Pre-2025 Damaged Arrow Skyrace Interview Transcript
iRunFar: Meghan Hicks of iRunFar. I’m with Elhousine Elazzaoui. It’s a few days earlier than the Damaged Arrow Skyrace 23k. Salaikum, Elhousine.
Elazzaoui: Salaikum. Good to satisfy you, Meghan. I’m very completely satisfied I’m right here once more in America at Damaged Arrow.
iRunFar: That is your second journey to America. You had been right here final 12 months for Mammoth Path Fest, and now this 12 months for Damaged Arrow. What do you concentrate on operating and racing in America?
Elazzaoui: I like this nation, and final 12 months I had good outcomes and you’ve got the nice mountains right here in America; Mammoth final 12 months and right here at Damaged Arrow is a pleasant place, and I prefer it. And, yeah, all the time return right here once more to America for me is good.
iRunFar: Excellent. That is iRunFar’s first interview with you. So I’d love to listen to about you as an individual and as a runner. I do know you come from Zagora Morocco, which is within the Saharan Desert of Morocco.
Elazzaoui: Sure, precisely. I’m from within the massive Sahara Desert in Morocco, Zagora. And I’m knowledgeable runner. I run for workforce NNormal. And I’m right here to reside one other journey.
iRunFar: You come from a city, Zagora is known for producing runners who race the Marathon des Sables, the flat and quick marathon of the sands. How did you grow to be a runner dwelling in Zagora?
Elazzaoui: Yeah, for me, I like this nation. Sure, you could have numerous athletes. Yeah, I do know Marathon des Sables, all the time for lots of athletes it’s a dream to run Marathon des Sables, however for me it’s one other dream go far with massive competitors in path operating.
iRunFar: Proper.
Elazzaoui: However if you happen to run Marathon de Sables, you could have expertise, and now good deserts.
iRunFar: Perhaps sometime whenever you retire from path operating you possibly can run Marathon des Sables.
Elazzaoui: Perhaps, sure, I am going for the celebration for the chums and, yeah, and luxuriate in life.
iRunFar: Now the individuals who come from Zagora are Berber they usually’re recognized for being nomadic, for shifting round to observe your animals. Is your loved ones nomadic at house or do you could have one house base now?
Elazzaoui: Sure. I’m from the desert Sahara. My household is, yeah, they reside in Sahara. Yeah, I come from the group Berber Nomad in Zagora and I’m completely satisfied all the time positive with the individual, my tradition and my custom.
iRunFar: So, let’s speak about how you bought to Europe to begin path operating. Perhaps it was about 4 years in the past whenever you began going to Europe for racing.
Elazzaoui: Yeah, for me, coming to Europe first time was troublesome as a result of earlier than I didn’t have expertise in path operating.
However now I’m very completely satisfied as a result of I’m with the most effective athletes on this planet and all of the individual now they know me and with NNormal I’m very proud of this household. They assist me so much, and now I’ve numerous expertise.
iRunFar: Yeah. Now do you spend a part of the 12 months dwelling in Europe and a part of the 12 months in Morocco, or the place are you dwelling and the place do you prepare?
Elazzaoui: Yeah, I prepare, I run in Zagora Desert, summertime in Atlas. Now there are good locations in Morocco, some secret locations.
iRunFar: Okay.
Elazzaoui: It’s very, very good and yeah, generally I come to Europe as a result of it’s troublesome for me generally the journey, the journey and generally I keep a little bit bit in Europe however I am going to my nation for the coaching.
iRunFar: Yeah. Sunday’s race is a Golden Path World Sequence race. You’ve gotten been a part of Golden Path World Sequence, I feel that is your fourth 12 months?
Elazzaoui: Yeah.
iRunFar: You gained final 12 months.
Elazzaoui: Yeah.
iRunFar: I feel the years earlier than that you just had been fourth and second within the collection. When you’ve got been a champion of Golden Path World Sequence earlier than, what do you need to do with the collection this 12 months? Win and win higher?
Elazzaoui: I feel, yeah, I give my greatest and this, yeah, my dream this 12 months once more, attempt winner the Golden Path World Sequence as a result of final 12 months I used to be the primary African winner within the Golden Path Sequence. I returned this 12 months with one other power and I give my greatest and I really feel good.
iRunFar: Seeking to win and run quicker than final 12 months?
Elazzaoui: Perhaps sure, perhaps not. Yeah, I’m little bit drained with the journey, however I really feel good.
iRunFar: Good. Inshallah, better of luck to you on the Golden Path World Sequence Damaged Arrow 23k on Sunday.
Elazzaoui: Thanks a lot, and inshallah. Sunday, one other day and I feel in case you have confidence, you could have good outcomes.
iRunFar: Thanks. Shukran.
Elazzaoui: Shukran. Thanks. Thanks.
