Undocumented to World-Class: Moroccan Trail Runner’s Inspiring Journey in Spain

"I did it." This is the sentence uttered by the athlete at the end of the documentary. It is the satisfaction after a long journey full of obstacles. The documentary, as described by MurciaPlaza, evokes the painful past of the young Moroccan who set out on an adventure to offer himself a better future in Spain. Joaquin Clares’ short film highlights the difficulties encountered by the young athlete and his determination to succeed. According to Clares, all those who knew Zaid in his difficult moments recognize him through this documentary.

Born in a village in the Moroccan Atlas at 3,000 meters altitude, Zaid Ait Malek earned his living as a mason, until the day he undertook the perilous adventure of the Peninsula with his cousin. In his irregular situation (undocumented), he worked in the greenhouses of Almería to survive, reports MurciaPlaza. Over time, he began to participate in small local events, a sport he combined with his day laborer work in the fields. Gradually, he became convinced of running in the mountains and quickly gained a reputation thanks to the support of the fruit and vegetable company based in the Jimbo Fresh region. He obtained Spanish nationality.

Although he is now one of the great athletes in mountain races, Zaid Ait Malek carries a painful past. Hence one of the proverbs of the documentary devoted to his life: "Things are not worth the time they last, but the marks they leave." According to Clares, Zaid’s story represents a self-transcendence that goes beyond the sporting field. "Zaid’s life comes to put on the table social inequalities and the lack of opportunities, while introducing another actor: the social responsibility of companies," he affirms, in this documentary of more than 13 minutes interspersed with motivational proverbs.