Intro:

Moroccan Youssef Ait Ali reigns supreme in the Oasis Race marathon in southern Morocco.

Script:

A local band performing a traditional dance greeted the runners as the Oasis Race marathon got underway in south Morocco on Sunday.

The predominantly amateur competitors tackled the 17.4 miles route which took them thorough the picturesque kasbahs and oases of Zagora province.

This was the ninth edition of the competition which was organised by the Beni Zoli Forum and their chairman, Khalid Chahid, explains what the event means to the region:

SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Khalid Chahid, chairman of the Beni Zoli Forum

"For us, this race makes a huge difference as sport plays a crucial role in promoting the cultural and architectural offering of Zagora province. It is about the kasbahs and their architectural and cultural heritage and also about storytelling and local folklore."

Moroccan athlete Youssef Ait Ali won the men's race in one hour, 20 minutes and 53 seconds.