For his first go to to the 2025 Broken Arrow Skyrace, Elhousine Elazzaoui of Morocco is selecting to concentrate on the 23k occasion. In 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 Trail World Series this 12 months.
For extra on who’s racing, take a look at our in-depth 23k previews and comply with our dwell race protection on Sunday.
[Editor’s Note: If you are unable to see the video above, click here to access it.]
Elhousine Elazzaoui Pre-2025 Broken Arrow Skyrace Interview Transcript
iRunFar: Meghan Hicks of iRunFar. I’m with Elhousine Elazzaoui. It’s a few days earlier than the Broken Arrow Skyrace 23k. Salaikum, Elhousine.
Elazzaoui: Salaikum. Nice to satisfy you, Meghan. I’m very comfortable I’m right here once more in America at Broken Arrow.
iRunFar: This is your second journey to America. You have been right here final 12 months for Mammoth Trail Fest, and now this 12 months for Broken Arrow. What do you concentrate on 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 Broken 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.
iRunFar: Perfect. This 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: Yes, precisely. I’m from within the large Sahara Desert in Morocco, Zagora. And I’m an expert runner. I run for staff NNormal. And I’m right here to dwell one other journey.
iRunFar: You come from a city, Zagora is known for producing runners who race the Marathon des Sables, the flat and quick marathon of the sands. How did you change into a runner dwelling in Zagora?
Elazzaoui: Yeah, for me, I like this nation. Yes, you will have 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 large competitors in path working.
iRunFar: Right.
Elazzaoui: But should you run Marathon de Sables, you will have expertise, and now good deserts.
iRunFar: Maybe sometime while you retire from path working you possibly can run Marathon des Sables.
Elazzaoui: Maybe, sure, I am going for the celebration for the buddies and, yeah, and revel in life.
iRunFar: Now the individuals who come from Zagora are Berber they usually’re recognized for being nomadic, for shifting round to comply with your animals. Is your loved ones nomadic at dwelling or do you will have one dwelling base now?
Elazzaoui: Yes. I’m from the desert Sahara. My household is, yeah, they dwell in Sahara. Yeah, I come from the group Berber Nomad in Zagora and I’m comfortable all the time certain with the particular person, my tradition and my custom.
iRunFar: So, let’s speak about how you bought to Europe to begin path working. Maybe it was about 4 years in the past while you began going to Europe for racing.
Elazzaoui: Yeah, for me, coming to Europe first time was troublesome as a result of earlier than I didn’t have expertise in path working.
But now I’m very comfortable as a result of I’m with the most effective athletes on the planet and all of the particular person now they know me and with NNormal I’m very pleased with this household. They assist me loads, and now I’ve a whole lot of expertise.
iRunFar: 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.
iRunFar: Okay.
Elazzaoui: It’s very, very good and yeah, generally I come to Europe as a result of it’s troublesome for me generally the journey, the journey and generally I keep somewhat bit in Europe however I am going to my nation for the coaching.
iRunFar: Yeah. Sunday’s race is a Golden Trail World Series race. You have been a part of Golden Trail World Series, I believe that is your fourth 12 months?
Elazzaoui: Yeah.
iRunFar: You received final 12 months.
Elazzaoui: Yeah.
iRunFar: I believe the years earlier than that you just have been fourth and second within the collection. If you will have been a champion of Golden Trail World Series 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 finest and this, yeah, my dream this 12 months once more, attempt winner the Golden Trail World Series as a result of final 12 months I used to be the primary African winner within the Golden Trail Series. I returned this 12 months with one other vitality and I give my finest and I really feel good.
iRunFar: Looking to win and run sooner than final 12 months?
Elazzaoui: Maybe sure, perhaps not. Yeah, I’m little bit drained with the journey, however I really feel good.
iRunFar: Good. Inshallah, better of luck to you on the Golden Trail World Series Broken Arrow 23k on Sunday.
Elazzaoui: Thank you a lot, and inshallah. Sunday, one other day and I believe you probably have confidence, you will have good outcomes.
iRunFar: Thank you. Shukran.
Elazzaoui: Shukran. Thank you. Thank you.