Testimony Elizabeth Charlet
A superb human adventure among the trailers of UTAT 2018By Elisabeth Charlet, founder of Pÿ Way The club EAF « Entrepreneuriat…
Everything was really great : the perfect organization, the welcoming volunteers, the quality of the markings (an essential part of a trail race), the quit paths and, above all, the beauty of the Atlas Mountains. It wasn’t in our plans, but I do think we will back next year.
Yves Cadio – 2019
Lost in the middle of the Moroccan Atlas. Rocks, altitude, incredible climbs, magical oasis’…the event is more than a race, and adventure, a raid, a struggle against one-self and towards the unknown.
During the event we all become trail-warriors fueled by the intense energy of the Atlas Mountains, the generosity of the Mazigh Berbers, the benevolence of the volunteers and the organization.
I go back marked by this punishing race. Marked physically and mentally. A lesson both for the body and the mind.
Laure De Cabissole, Finisher UTAT2019
It was a great moment of sharing between the volunteers and the participants. A trail race that puts us in the heart of Nature and ourselves, through an adventure in hidden and beautiful valleys. It will forever stay etched in my trail memories. Altitude is a parameter that few trail races offer. Thank you to all the dedicated and available volunteers on the course present in remote places
Between the UTMB (three times) and the UTAT, my heart goes to the UTAT.
Christian Baudet, finisher UTAT 2019
The UTAT 2018 was a profound traumatic experience! A brutal course, both in beauty and hardness, coupled with very adverse atmospheric conditions, gave rise to a test of true survival. My withdrawal to the 95 km in IMLIL was a corollary of all these situations. There are times when nature is stronger and puts us in our place. We are too small in the face of a wild nature! Respect for nature is something we should never despise. In any case what does not kill us only makes us stronger. For the year probably there I will be again to complete what this year I could not!
2018
I congratulate the volunteers and the organization for putting on this 10th edition of the event. We shared so much emotion, encounters and worries about the weather! A big up to the organizers who anticipated, reacted and remained efficient whilst keeping their super spirit of conviviality. Kudos to the volunteers, their kindness, their availability and their encouragements. Huge thanks to the Berbers and the locals who welcomed us in the best possible way. A special mention to Cyrille for putting forward and congratulating his entire team, it was touching. The UTAT is more than just a race, it’s a human adventure in a prestigious environment, both unique and fragile. The beauty of the territory, the humanity of the men and women living there, is part of the greatness of this race. Good luck!
François RENARD Challenge 2018.
A magnificent itinerary, technical and demanding : a true trail! The ambiance at base camp is excellent. The good mood and the availability of the organization and the volunteers makes your preparation easy. A huge thank you for this adventure.
2018
A beautiful adventure in the midst of a stunning scenery and a rich culture. A true trail, pure and authentic, but always supervised whatever the altitude or the weather conditions, volunteers, smiling and caring for your health. In short, an experienced organization enabling well trained people to come and roam the Atlas range in secure conditions.
A trail race where time stands still!
2018
A trail that worthy of such a definition, including everything that sums up the discipline: altitude, variety of landscapes, technical terrain, great ambiance, supportive and kind organizers, the level of the participants… One of the best trail races in Morocco… To do, to do again and to recommend!
2018
The alpine track profiles of the races and the altitude (between 1800 and 3700m) makes the UTAT completely atypical. A complete change of scenery in the splendid Moroccan High Atlas range!
2018
It certainly has been the most difficult trail I’ve experienced so far, due to the weather conditions, the altitude and the fact that I was a bit ill before the start. However, I loved the itinerary and the ambiance and I’ll be back either racing or as a volunteer
2018
The Utat is a superb experience that offers you, beyond the race and the gorgeous itinerary, a change of scenery and an adventure that takes brings you outside your comfort zone…but leaves you with unforgettable memories… My advice: prepare well, the itinerary is very selective, but the beauty of the environment makes it all quite bearable!!
Go on your own, with friends, young or a bit older, you will all find the emotions you came to look for… But don’t forget to train…
Christiane Renevier, Finisher Marathon de l’Atlas 2017
A superb race in incredible landscapes, attentive and competent volunteers, a perfect weather, what more can you ask for!!! Coming back next year!!!
Bertrand Benard, finisher UTAT 2017
A complete change of environment and a trail of high quality, on a human scale and without any artificial fuzz, unique surroundings. To enjoy to your heart’s content!
Philippe Feutry, finisher Challenge de l’Atlas 2017
The UTAT is a big challenge in an unforgettable setting. What struck me even more than the race itself is the kindness and the dedication of the volunteers, the efficiency and the professionalism of the medical crew, without whom I would never have been able to reach the finish line of the 105 km. A huge thank you!
Imad Elidrissi, Finisher UTAT 2017
An unforgettable experience with the girlfriends from my running club. For some of us it was our first trail marathon. Though living in the Alps and familiar with the mountains, we found the environment extraordinary and different. It was a beautiful experience of life to cross the Berber villages and a rewarding exchange between racers and volunteers since we were all living together during several days. This type of set-up had drawn my attention when a friend talked about the event, this is what decided me to participate.
Janick Granger, finisher Marathon de l’Atlas 2017
It’s not a race, it’s a true adventure !
Emmanuel Colin, finisher Marathon de l’Atlas 2017
A magnificent race thanks to the environment, a complete change of scenery.
Alexandra Heintz, Finisher Challenge de l’Atlas 2017
Impossible to describe ! To understand it has to be lived, a truly unique adventure really different from any other race I have done…
Laurie Phai, finisher Challenge 2017
An extraordinary race full of both difficulty, happiness, doubts, pain and joy, and above all a strong solidarity amongst the racers and the kindness of the volunteers. Pure happiness.
Julien Renauld, finisher UTAT 2017
Crazy and beautiful. A great but difficult race, the beauty of the place and this part of the Atlas Mountains will help you to go beyond your limits. Breathtaking villages, an everchanging environment where adaption is a key quality. In short, a cocktail of emotions.
Meheza Walla, finisher Challenge 201
Simple and efficient organization (no media fuzz that spoil the ambiance), a breathtaking itinerary in both the true and figurative sense.
Christophe Pautot, finisher Challenge de l’Atlas 2017
Beautiful race, eyes shining with images, but very technical for someone my age..or older. Though I did not make the time limit and had to stop, I have a great memory of getting back to base camp with the Berbers and the medical staff.
Henri Richard, UTAT 2017
A human and sporting adventure I strongly recommend to all trail runners.
Laurent Reigniez, finisher Challenge de l’Atlas 2016
Grand landscapes, a trail race like no other, the people, the adorable kids…an experience that must be lived. A great ambiance between all the participants, sharing memories and experience. A direct and easy contact with great champions. In addition, at a very reasonable cost.
Dominique Eugène, finisher Marathon de l’Atlas 2017
Discovery, encounters, fabulous landscapes, sharing, mutual support – this is the spirit of the UTAT!
Aude Hourtal, Challenge 2017
A beautiful stay, a beautiful race, beautiful landscapes, great encounters. The only downside was the food at the aid stations ; A huge THANK YOU to the volunteers and the organizers.
Fabrice Rougier, finisher Challenge de l’Atlas 2017
At the start of the Challange (42 km + 26 km) I wanted only one thing: end the race as painless as possible… At the finish line I had one single idea in my head: come back next year and share this adventure with my friends.
Roberto Bino, finisher Challenge 2017
Just wanted to say big thanks to all of you for a great experience and fantastic race! It was definitely one of the best races I took the part in. You have done a great job.
I will definitely recommend it to my running friends and hoping to join 105k in the future!
Best regards!
Jacob and Vicky, 2016
Stunning landscapes (similar to certain parts of the GR20, save that here you sometimes climb above 3100 m of altitude), unexpected places, excellent markings, super nice volunteers, it was an awesome experience.
Christophe Wrobel, finisher Challenge de l’Atlas 2016
Ein ganz besonderes Berglaufabenteuer mit intensiven Erlebnissen.
Petra Meyer, finisher du Marathon de l’Atlas 2016
The only ultra-trail in a picture postcard environment and a great ambiance amongst all the racers. The volunteers are really nice and caring and the organization top level.
Manu Tore, finisher UTAT 2016
UTAT 2016 was an unforgettable experience. The hardest and most rewarding challenge I have ever met. I definitely recommend it to those who enjoy a technical race where you have plenty ofchances to face your demons while gliding though some of the most remote, rugged and outstandingly beautiful places on earth.
Mariana Leite Braga, finisher de l’UTAT 2016
A truly unique experience, mixing a huge challenge with a fantastic country to discover. Congratulations!
Miguel Serradas Duarte, finisher de l’UTAT 2016
Der Lauf war von Anfang bis Ende spannend und kurzweilig. Die fast 23 Stunden gingen im Flug vorbei und ich war überglücklich es geschafft zu haben. Die Landschaft war atemberaubend. Der Sonnenaufgang wunderschön, die Dörfer erinnerten uns an Nepal. Friedlich und urtümlich. Die Menschen unglaublich freundlich. Hab mich eigentlich nie unsicher gefühlt, selbst in der Nacht nicht. Perfekt organisierter Event! Gratulation! Alle waren sehr motiviert, gut drauf und vor allem unkompliziert. Weiter so
LG Marion 2016
It was the most amazing and difficult running experience ever. The highs and lows of the event will never be Forgotten.
Mark Smith, finisher Virée d’Ikiss 2016
UTAT is more than a race it’s an experience and an adventure. I loved the concept, kind of an indie race: for a few, in a different continent, within a different culture, in a friendly environment, beautiful, with unique landscapes, tough and wild.
Antonio Costa, finisher de l’UTAT 2016
A demanding race in high altitude, with technical trails, made for true and prepared trail runners. Your reward is limitless… The winner and the last to cross the finish line can easily end up sharing a tent. A great feeling to equally share and participate in an event.
Vincent Margot, finisher Marathon de l’Atlas 2016
Der UTAT ist Abenteuer pur! Eine beeindruckende Landschaft die seinesgleichen sucht!
Oliver Karst, finisher Challenge de l’Atlas 2016
First of all, congratulations for organizing the race! Everything was impeccable! The camp, the dinners, the structure during the race to who ran the long races, the staffs always attentive and kind to athletes. We heard many compliments about everything and we did not hear any complaints.
Athletes who came from Brazil, as well as Hadi, are accustomed to running trials around the world and said they had not participated in any race so well organized and so structured.
The UTAT surprised us.
We had athletes enrolled in the Brazil group and 4 more athletes who have signed without the group and who came from France to run for the first time a race and they just loved it.
I’m sure that in 2017 we will bring many other athletes from Brazil to UTAT. Several people are already looking for us because accompanied by our social networks these days we spent in Oukaimeden.
The Amazir Race was amazing! I did not expect a 10km race with many challenges even knowing well the area. I loved it!
Thanks for all the attention and care they had with our group from the beginning. We are sure that in 2017 the partnership will be even bigger and better!
Give our congratulations to all your staff. They are really excellent!
Lilian Haddad Akkouh, 2016
A crazy race, breathtaking landscapes, a dedicated and attentive staff, a great ambiance. The UTAT is surpassing oneself and your own limits. More than a sporting event, the UTAT is a way to pursue your personal development! See you next year!
Jaul Bouab, finisher du Marathon de l’Atlas 2016
A marvelous experience with happy encounters. Meeting kids and give them pencils and see the joy in their eyes, cross villages to be greeted by kind words and applauses. Pushing yourself in the middle of nowhere, reach a col and find kids waiting to encourage you – simply wonderful! All these volunteers in the middle of nowhere, smiling and encouraging you to continue. A huge thank you for this wonderful journey pushing us to go beyond our limits, I came back home to Brittany changed, my head full of images. Thank you to the organization and the volunteers !
Valérie Caille, finisher Marathon de l’Atlas 2016
The UTAT is a difficult and demanding trail due to the altitude and the steep climbs, but a true beauty thanks to the majestic Atlas Mountains and the sympathy of the Berbers.
Mounir Essayegh, finisher Marathon de l’Atlas 2016
I found the UTAT experience simply incredible: the welcome, the volunteers, everything is great. My first time in a tent for 4 days, it incites you to talk to everybody – the winner, the last the pass the finish line, the volunteers. An extraordinary panorama. Villages lost in the middle of nowhere that gives us, who usually live in a comfortable daily routine, a healthy perspective on our conditions. A race I highly recommend.
Alain Salomez, finisher Challenge de l’Atlas 2016
A fabulous place and landscape for trail running, a wonderful team of volunteers and an unforgettable experience. See you next year !
Eric Picavet, edition 2016
A unique and magical experience. Whichever race you participate in at the UTAT, there’s definitely a before and an after!
Silian Journe, finisher Virée d’Ikiss 2016
UTAT is a magic trail running event thanks both to its human and sporty side (great ambiance, complete change of scenery, superb landscapes, meeting the locals…), it transcends us to help us to reach our goal, to pursue to the finish line whatever your ranking. You forget the time watch and take your time to fully in take in the world that surrounds us in this beautiful part of the High Atlas. You come back as a changed person and see the Western world (sanitized with all its benefits, etc…) with a different eye. The UTAT is a strong experience and will stay with you for a long time, your only wish is too come back and relive everything. Look forward to 2017 and a huge thank you to the organization, the volunteers, the locals and Mother Nature…
Najim Chilhi, finisher Challenge de l’Atlas 2016 (3rd)
More than a race, a personal challenge and a journey into Berber country.
Ronald Guintrange, 2016
A trail race were human adventure and change of scenery are key ingredients. Breathtaking landscapes, incredible itineraries in a variety of terrains, caring volunteers and encounters with the locals that does not leave you indifferent. For all these reasons the UTAT is a trail race out of the ordinary, far from our usual European references. A trail to live to the fullest.
Brice Bucciarelli, finisher Challenge de l’Atlas 2016
The 8th edition of the UTAT – Ultra Trail Atlas Toubkal, really got to me on all levels!! It’s an exceptional and beautiful 105 km ultra-trail in Morocco, close the highest summit in North Africa, the Toubkal. The race is a unique adventure: extraordinary landscapes, technical terrain, a demanding high-altitude environment along with discovering the Berber country was the promise of a total change of scenery. This unique adventure demands a total gift of self, in return you will experience incredible emotions, mind-blowing encounters and push your limits far beyond what you thought feasible. You cannot describe the UTAT, it needs to be experienced! A true trail that nurtures multiple encounters: between people, between continents and between the participants…an authentic trail celebrating the original spirit of trail running!
Great and marvelous encounters with prominent runners: Rudy Bonnet (the winner!!), Christophe Le Saux, Rachid El Morabity, Mohamed El Morabity, Najim Chilhi, Omar Bourim… A special thank you to Najim Chilhi (3rd in the Challenge), Laurent Reignez and Anthony Bonnaud (extremely kind) for this magnific adventure we shared together.
It was an exceptional moment I will always remember!!! A big up and a big thank you to you guys and tums up for the UTAT team who offered us such unforgettable moments. The magic was created not only by the beautiful environment but also thanks to the commitment of all those who makes the race happen (the volunteers, the mule drivers, the companies.) A BIG THANK YOU.
Christophe Desroses, finisher UTAT 2016
A race on a human scale in a stunning environment and with a great ambiance !
Warczarek, édition 2016
The UTAT is more than just a trail race, it is a human experience, sharing efforts and values, unique images of landscapes and faces, human warmth in the freshness of the mountains.
François Renard, finisher Challenge de l’Atlas 2016
I have often heard about the values of trail running, the spirit and mutual aid, the encounters and the friendships formed. I have always been skeptical since with the many of races I’ve done I found that these values were quickly established as principles that did not prove to be true. That which is often false elsewhere is completely accurate at the UTAT: I discovered all these values of mutual aid, sharing, a communion through the race – me and my group (though I normally run on my own) took our time to make it to the finish (39h!!!), however I know that finally we almost wanted to linger on, because we had a good time in these mountains, to enjoy together the sunrises, the colors, the locals. We were as happy at 3000 meters as at base camp, and because of the harsh mountain environment and the weather conditions, the only important thing is that everyone gets back with a smile.
Etienne Douchet, Finisher UTAT 2019
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