Entries are now open for the 2015 Marrakech Atlas Etape - an annual sportive starting from the exotic city of Marrakech before heading up to the ski-resort at Oukaimeden, high in the Atlas Mountains and returning back down again. It is an inclusive event with no aggressive broom wagon and a choice of four routes: 140 km, 104 km, 84 km and 60 km that will challenge serious amateurs or even professional riders alike. 

The total altitude gained over the 140km route is an eye watering 2129m, this takes riders up to the highest point; the ski station at Oukaimeden, which sits at 2,624m. There is more altitude gained with this single climb than any Tour de France col - the Galibier, Mont Ventoux, the Tourmalet… you name it. 

To get more of a flavour for the event, check out the video below:

Marrakech Atlas Etape teaser from Education For All Morocco on Vimeo.

The Marrakech Atlas Etape is organised for the benefit of Education For All, a Moroccan NGO. At present, few girls from rural communities in Morocco continue their education after primary school. College is not accessible to them for several reasons. To help tackle some of the issues, EFA are running boarding houses near secondary colleges, allowing some girls from rural families to continue their education. 

Morocco offers an exotic mix of cultures, and the geographic extremes of high mountains, Atlantic coastline, sand dunes and snow-covered vistas. Combine this with a fascinating mix people, history and a heady cocktail of culinary flavours, and the country ranks highly on any list of places to visit. 

Marrakech itself is a fascinating city, comprising the medina - the old Arab quarter - and also the new town of Gueliz, which boasts modern restaurants and bars, fast-food chains and big brand stores. The medina of Marrakech is built around the 12th century Koutoubia Mosque, whose beautiful minaret dominates the skyline and can be seen from almost every approach to the city. 

Any visit to Marrakech must include a look around the medina and its colourful souk (marketplace) where you can barter for carpets, leather goods, jewellery, lanterns and spices. Another must-see is the legendary Jemaa el-Fna, the busiest and most famous square in Africa, where snake charmers, storytellers, acrobats, medicine men and musicians compete for your attention. 

The area has gained a great deal of attention in the cycling world recently, and earlier this year seven members of the Starley Primal professional cycling team traveled to Morocco for a training camp and to ride the route of the Marrakech Atlas Etape.

For more information visit www.marrakech-atlas-etape.com.