Runner brief · Rise Ultra: Atlas Mountains

Runner brief

Atlas Mountains

8–12 October 2026 · Hotel Taj Atlas

Everything for the week in one place. If anything changes, we’ll update this page, so check here instead of scrolling back through WhatsApp.

Where: Hotel Taj Atlas, Route d’Amizmiz km 47, about an hour from Marrakech airport
Questions: Ask in our WhatsApp group for questions
Updated: 8 October 2026

Phones

First thing to sort.

Signal in the Atlas Mountains is patchy, and Maroc Telecom is the network that reaches furthest, so please get a Maroc Telecom line when you land. It gives you a Moroccan number we can call you on during the week and on Ultra Day, including in spots where WhatsApp won’t send.

We’ve changed our advice on this, so if you’ve already sorted a SIM or eSIM, no problem, just let Alex know.

Before you fly

One check for everyone: your phone needs to be unlocked.

On an iPhone, go to Settings, then General, then About, and look at Carrier Lock. It should say “No SIM restrictions”.
On Android, there’s no single setting for this. If you bought the phone SIM-free (from the manufacturer or a shop, not a network), or from a UK network since 2022, it’s unlocked. If you’re not sure, ask your network, or try a friend’s SIM from a different network. If it works, you’re fine.
If your phone is locked, ask your network to unlock it today, as it can take a couple of days.

Getting your Maroc Telecom line when you land

Before you leave the arrivals hall, look for the Maroc Telecom kiosk on the left, just before the exits. Our drivers collecting you will wait.
Show your passport (it’s needed to register the line) and ask for an eSIM, which they usually do. They’ll set it up on your phone for you.
Ask for a phone line with data and call time. You should be able to get 10 GB of data and at least a couple of hours of calls for about 100 dirhams (around 10 euros). Ask for the calls specifically, as Alex had to request his. For reference, he paid 200 dirhams (around 20 euros) for 40 GB and 4 hours of calls, which is more than you’ll need.
If your phone doesn’t take eSIMs, they’ll give you a normal SIM instead. Keep your home SIM somewhere safe.
Keep your home line switched on for calls and texts, but turn data roaming off on it so you don’t get charged.
Send Alex your new Moroccan number so it’s on the team list.

If the kiosk can’t set you up for any reason, you should be able to get a physical SIM, and if not, we’ll sort a backup with you at the hotel.

Programme

Day 1

Thursday 8 October

Arrivals and welcome dinner

All day
Pick-ups from the airport and MarrakechYour driver will meet you at arrivals holding a Rise Ultra card. If your flight changes, tell Alex.
On arrival
Check in at receptionIf your room isn’t ready yet, leave your bags at reception.
Lunch
Not included todayYou can order from the hotel menu.
17:30
Welcome on the rooftopSunset is just after 18:00.
19:00
Welcome dinnerOn the rooftop if the weather’s good, otherwise downstairs.

Day 2

Friday 9 October

Community day with the High Atlas Foundation

Breakfast
At the hotel
09:10
Leave for Oulad MtaaA mountain village near Amizmiz. Meet at reception.
Morning
Paint the village’s shared room with the communityIt’s where the village holds its meetings and children’s classes.
Lunch
In the village, cooked by local hosts
About 15:30
Back at the hotelRest and get your kit ready.
17:45
Ultra Day briefingIn the dining room, about 45 minutes: the route, checkpoints and closing times, and safety. Bring your Ultra Day kit for a quick check.
18:30
Early dinnerPlenty of carbs, then an early night. Breakfast is at 05:45.

Day 3

Saturday 10 October

Ultra Day

60 KM

05:45–06:45
Breakfast
07:00
Meet at the start line by the hotel entrancePick up your bib, and check you have your whistle and headtorch.
07:30
StartThe route loops through the mountains and finishes back at the hotel.
From 13:00
Food at the finishSoup, bread and fruit, until the last runner is in.
Afternoon
LaundrySame-day washing for your running kit: 15 dirhams per larger item, socks free.
20:00
DinnerKept warm until 21:00, so everyone has time to shower first.

Day 4

Sunday 11 October

Kids’ run and final night

Morning to early afternoon
Potential optional second community dayWe’ll confirm during the week, along with where lunch is. If it doesn’t go ahead, rest and recover, with lunch at the hotel at 13:00.
16:00
The local kids’ runThen awards for the young runners and for you. We’ll confirm where to meet.
19:30
Final dinner togetherOn the rooftop if the weather’s good, otherwise downstairs.

Day 5

Monday 12 October

Farewell breakfast and departures

06:45
Packed breakfastFor anyone leaving the hotel at 07:00.
From 07:00
Transfers to the airportSee departures for when you leave the hotel.
08:00
Farewell breakfastGoodbyes and photos.
12:00
CheckoutLeaving in the afternoon? We’ve asked the hotel to let you keep your room until your transfer.

Ultra Day kit

Carry this for the whole 60 km. We’ll check it at Friday’s briefing.

Jacket: ideally waterproof, at least windproof. It can get chilly on the tops.
Warm layer
Water: 1.5 to 2 litres of carrying capacity if you can, 1 litre at the very least. You can refill at the aid stations.
Food and electrolytes to get you from one aid station to the next
Phone, fully charged, with the event emergency number saved. We’ll share the number before Ultra Day.
Power bank and cable
Headtorch with spare batteries, in case you finish after dark. Sunset is just after 18:00.
Whistle, to call for help if you need it. Many running vests have one built into the chest strap.
Sun protection: cap or hat, and sun cream
Your travel insurance details: policy number and the 24-hour emergency number

Departures

Monday 12 October. Find your flight, and the time next to it is when your transfer leaves the hotel. Flight not listed? Message Alex and we’ll confirm your time.

Departures, Monday 12 October
Your flight	Leave the hotel
10:45 to London Gatwick	07:00
10:50 to Brussels	07:00
13:20 to Vienna	09:30
17:50 to London Stansted	14:00
19:15 to Amsterdam	15:30
20:05 to Manchester	15:30

What’s included

Included

Your room at Hotel Taj Atlas
All meals, from Thursday’s welcome dinner to Monday’s farewell breakfast
Drinking water: we’ll have big bottles for everyone
All transport, including airport pick-up and drop-off
Ultra Day: aid stations, water, snacks and food at the finish
Your finisher’s medal and shirt, and photos and film of the week

Not included

Lunch on Thursday, and on Monday if you’re still at the hotel
Drinks: soft drinks, juice, coffee outside breakfast, and alcohol
Four premium dishes on the menu (the steaks, lamb shank and tanjia), which are 50 dirhams extra
Laundry and massages

Money

1,200 dhabout €110, from an ATM at Marrakech airport when you land

Take it out in one withdrawal. If the machine offers to charge you in euros or pounds, choose dirhams, because its own exchange rate is worse.
It covers Thursday lunch, drinks, tips, laundry, anything you’d like to buy in the village, and a Moroccan SIM if you’re getting one (up to 200 dirhams).
There’s an ATM at the hotel, but it charges a fee every time and may run out of cash, so don’t rely on it.
Leftover dirhams are hard to change back, so top up later rather than taking out too much.

Good to know

Community day: Wear clothes you don’t mind getting paint on, and cover your shoulders and knees in the village.
Photos: Ask before photographing anyone, including the children at Sunday’s kids’ run.
Weather: Warm days and cool evenings. Bring a warm layer for dinners on the rooftop.
Questions: Ask in our WhatsApp group for questions.