A group of runners in 2012The organizer of the Beirut Marathon, May El-Khalil (5.f.r.), receives a charity cheque (2010)
The Beirut Marathon, is an annual event that takes place in Beirut, Lebanon, first held in 2003. It is a founding member of Asian Premier Marathons, and was accredited as a Silver Label Road Race by the IAAF.[citation needed]
The marathons are managed by the Beirut Marathon Association, a non-profit non-governmental organization registered under the Ministry of Youth and Sports in Lebanon.[3] It is sponsored by the BLOM Bank.[4]
History
The race, created by businesswoman May El-Khalil, has the theme of unity at its core.[5]
The first marathon was held on October 19, 2003 and attracted over 6,000 runners from 49 countries, and tens of thousands of Lebanese and international spectators.[6]
The 2010 edition of the men's race was won by the pacemaker Mohamed Temam. Hussein Awadah broke the Lebanese record at the race that year, completing the distance in at a time of 2:20:31.[7]
In 2011, the course was altered to make it faster and easier to organise and the men's and women's record were both improved that year; Seada Kedir knocked over five minutes off the women's best time.[8]
The 2019 edition of the race was cancelled due to anti-government protests, with all registrants given the option of transferring their entry to 2020 or obtaining a refund.[9]
The 2020 edition of the race was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, with all who had transferred their entry from 2019 given the option of obtaining a refund.[10]
Other activities
Beirut Marathon Association also organizes their annual marathon village which was sponsored by Transmed in 2017.[citation needed]
Community impact
The race reaches out to all sides of the political spectrum in Lebanon.[5] The day's events also include a 3 km race for MPs of any political allegiance, as well as members of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon stationed in the country.[5]
^Brune, Adrian (February 25, 2017). "Racing to Rebuild the Middle East". Foreign Affairs. Retrieved February 26, 2017. – via Foreign Affairs (subscription required)
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