Emdad Rahman
Running past the shadow of the glorious Atlas Mountains Team MC have taken part and completed the beautiful and exotic Marrakech Marathon.
The 50 strong contingent running both the full and half marathons took advantage of the cooler climate on the day to record a number of personal best times as the team joined 10,000 runners on the field.
Breathtaking views of the Atlas Mountains were taken in as participants passed through fresh olive groves. The flat, pretty and scenic course also took in some industrial locations where the locals come out to cheer runners on with great enthusiasm.
Sam Islam from Stepney was one of the runners who crossed the finishing line. After collecting his run medal he said, “It was challenging out there for me and I had to dig deep. It’s such an important cause and I never considered quitting.
“I had motivational people around me and in the end it was easy. Thank you to Team MC for arranging such a great weekend and for taking care of our needs. I now have a medal for each of my children.”
The first Team MC runner to cross the finishing line was boxing coach Abdul Hannan from Shadwell, East London who came home in 1 hour 43 minutes and 9 seconds.
The race organisation is getting better every year and alongside the course marshals there were friendly attendants at designated stations regularly handing out water and clementines.
“Every runner has their own personal story and today every runner excelled,” said Harun Rashid from Team MC. “The shared enthusiasm of our runners and well wishers never fails to astound me and the team. Today was no different and our group came together, they sweated and grafted every mile. Their efforts will change lives.”
Team MC launched the Children of the World campaign to combat and champion children’s rights all over the world.
The aim is to ensure the full spectrum of children’s rights are covered by working on advocacy and awareness as well as necessary interventions and provisions to protect children from harm.
The charity has rescued over 2,000 children from the streets of Bangladesh alone and reunited over 600 with their families.
These children have been abandoned by their parents or have been trafficked into the most unspeakable situations including bonded labour and the sex trade.
Donation link: https://www.justgiving.com/teammcscpcycle300