Dawa Sherpa, Rachid El Morabity: They made the history of the UTAT and meet again in 2017
Each year, it is a great pleasure to return to run to Oukaïmeden on the trails of the UTAT. From technicality to altitude, a unique journey in the world, each year giving us encounters and beautiful surprises, which does not weary the curious trailer that I am!
This 9th edition will be very special for me. It will be the reunion with my mentor and great friend, Dawa Sherpa.
Our meeting in 2011 changed my vision of trail and running. It is not only synonymous with sharing a race. It is above all an exchange, a succession of days on the Oukaïmeden during which Dawa told me about his experience and shared valuable advices on his way of life and to approach the sport, nature. A vision of simple and honest life in the image of his personality and of which he alone has the secret.
The mad epic which constituted our race on the trails of the 105km, elbow to elbow for nearly 80km, remains engraved in my memory. His retirement on the last PC allowed me to win the UTAT while I was racing for the first time in the mountains, but it is also a memory tinged with sadness when I saw him stopping and disappointed to miss the final sprint with him.
Today, I am looking forward to running again with him, sharing a tea and sharing my evolution. I am in good shape, and my victory over the MDS only reinforces my desire to perform this season by representing Morocco everywhere else. The Rachid of 2017 is certainly different from the one of 2011. If I am here today, it is largely thanks to work and perseverance, but it is mainly thanks to meetings and shared moments, Like those passed with Dawa.
All that remains for me to do is to give you an appointment from the 5th to the 9th of October at the Oukaïmeden. I am sure that UTAT will bring you moments like those I have experienced!
Rachid
