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 targets for the Golden Path World Collection this 12 months.
For extra on who’s racing, try our in-depth 23k previews and observe our reside race protection on Sunday.
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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.
IranFar: 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 consider working 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 sweet.
IranFar: 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 group NNormal. And I’m right here to reside one other journey.
IranFar: You come from a city, Zagora is known for producing runners who race the Sand marathonthe flat and quick marathon of the sands. How did you turn into a runner dwelling in Zagora?
Elazzaoui: Yeah, for me, I like this nation. Sure, you have got a whole lot of 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 working.
IranFar: Proper.
Elazzaoui: However when you run Marathon de Sables, you have got expertise, and now good deserts.
IranFar: Possibly sometime if you retire from path working you may run Marathon des Sables.
Elazzaoui: Possibly, sure, I’m going for the get together for the buddies and, yeah, and luxuriate in life.
IranFar: Now the individuals who come from Zagora are Berber they usually’re recognized for being nomadic, for transferring round to observe your animals. Is your loved ones nomadic at residence or do you have got one residence base now?
Elazzaoui: Sure. I’m from the desert Sahara. My household is, yeah, they reside in Sahara. Yeah, I come from the neighborhood Berber Nomad in Zagora and I’m completely satisfied all the time positive with the particular person, my tradition and my custom.
IranFar: So, let’s speak about how you bought to Europe to start out path working. Possibly it was about 4 years in the past if you began going to Europe for racing.
Elazzaoui: Yeah, for me, coming to Europe first time was tough as a result of earlier than I didn’t have expertise in path working.
However now I’m very completely satisfied as a result of I’m with one of the best athletes on the earth and all of the particular person now they know me and with NNormal I’m very proud of this household. They assist me loads, and now I’ve a whole lot of expertise.
IranFar: 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 practice?
Elazzaoui: Yeah, I practice, I run in Zagora Desert, summertime in Atlas. Now there are good locations in Morocco, some secret locations.
IranFar: Okay.
Elazzaoui: It’s very, very good and yeah, typically I come to Europe as a result of it’s tough for me typically the journey, the journey and typically I keep just a little bit in Europe however I’m going to my nation for the coaching.
IranFar: Yeah. Sunday’s race is a Golden Path World Collection race. You’ve gotten been a part of Golden Path World Collection, I believe that is your fourth 12 months?
Elazzaoui: Yeah.
IranFar: You gained final 12 months.
Elazzaoui: Yeah.
IranFar: I believe 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 Collection earlier than, what do you need to do with the collection this 12 months? Win and win higher?
Elazzaoui: I believe, yeah, I give my greatest and this, yeah, my dream this 12 months once more, attempt winner the Golden Path World Collection as a result of final 12 months I used to be the primary African winner within the Golden Path Collection. I returned this 12 months with one other vitality and I give my greatest and I really feel good.
IranFar: Seeking to win and run quicker than final 12 months?
Elazzaoui: Possibly sure, possibly not. Yeah, I’m little bit drained with the journey, however I really feel good.
IranFar: Good. Inshallah, better of luck to you on the Golden Path World Collection Damaged Arrow 23k on Sunday.
Elazzaoui: Thanks a lot, and inshallah. Sunday, one other day and I believe when you’ve got confidence, you have got good outcomes.
IranFar: Thanks. Shukran.
Elazzaoui: Shukran. Thanks. Thanks.
