65-Year-Old Moroccan Ultra-Marathoner Bikes 8,000 km from Casablanca to Mecca

This new challenge of Karim Mosta seems, for many observers, completely crazy: to cover 8,000 km by bike, in four months, crossing 12 countries! This is the challenge that this specialist in long solo efforts around the world has set himself, who sees the support and encouragement of his loved ones, and fans, around the world, converging towards him.

Karim’s adventure started on Saturday, May 4, 2019 in Casablanca. The sexagenarian, who is also known for his involvement in humanitarian actions and charitable works, told MAP that he has taken on this challenge, to "raise funds and help Moroccan orphaned children".

"This new challenge is the culmination of my ultra-marathon career," explained Karim, noting that after having crossed on foot "the Silk Road, the Inca Road, the Road of the Kings in Egypt, Mexico, Martinique, Reunion and New Caledonia", he had to try a new adventure.

Beyond the difficult ordeal that this crossing could represent, Karim sees it rather as "both a sporting challenge, a cultural journey - because of the diversity of the countries we are crossing - and a spiritual quest whose climax will be the arrival in Mecca," says the native of Casablanca. In 30 years of practice, the "Marathon-Man" has participated in 165 raids around the world, and taken part 29 times in the Marathon des Sables, the same source said.