BEIRUT: Lebanon’s 2014 Beirut Marathon Sunday launched its women's race under the slogan “Run for your rights,” with significant turnout from both sexes amid tight security measures.
Thousands of participants took part in the 10-kilometer route and the 5-km Run for a Cause challenge. Similar races were also taking place for people with special needs.
The marathon started at 7:30 a.m. at BIEL and the closing ceremony will take place at Martyrs’ Square in Downtown Beirut.
The year's women's race follows a successful launch in 2013, and the main goal of the race, according to organizers, is “Empowering Women” through running.
A combination of men and women were carrying balloons as they made their way to the finish line of the race.
A delegation from the European Union, headed by Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst, took part in the challenge, held under the patronage of first lady Wafaa Sleiman.
A participant from the EU delegation said that all men should take part in the race to challenge the dominant “machismo” in the Arab world.
“I think all men should run with us today because Arab societies are often machismo,” she said, adding that she hoped this would change one day.
A group of 50 women ran the 5-km race to collect money and support their friends suffering from cancer.
Suha Beyhum said the women were running for their friend Nadine, who is undergoing chemotherapy, and for another friend getting a treatment for ovarian cancer.
High standards enabled the Beirut Marathon Association to be certified as a Bronze IAAF Road Race Label Event Organizer in 2011 and 2012.
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