Beirut Marathon

The organizer of the Beirut Marathon, May El-Khalil (5.f.r.), receives a charity cheque (2010)

The Beirut Marathon Association is a not-for-profit organization whose vision is to become the leading running expert organization in the Middle East. Its races are by far the biggest and most popular sports events in Lebanon. Attendance and participation in the Beirut Marathon races continue to grow annually, and they command the attention of national and international media. It is a non-profit non-governmental organization registered under the Ministry of Youth and Sports in Lebanon.[1] Beirut Marathon is an annual event that takes place in Beirut. The first ever BIM was held on October 19, 2003 and attracted over 6,000 runners from 49 different countries and tens of thousands of spectators in Lebanon and around the world. These numbers increased every year which became 32.000 runners in BLOM Beirut Marathon 2009 from 71 different countries, and over 37000 runners in 2014.

The race, created by businesswoman May El-Khalil, has the theme of unity at its core. Reaching out to all sides of the political spectrum in Lebanon, 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.[2]

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 time of 2:20:31.[3] The course was altered to make it faster and easier to organise at the 2011 edition 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.[4]

Past winners

'Key:       Course record

Edition Year Men Time
(h:m:s)
Women Time
(h:m:s)
12th November 9, 2014  Fikadu Girma (ETH) 2:12:26  Mulahabt Tsega (ETH) 2:29:15
11th November 10, 2013  William Kipsang (KEN) 2:13:34  Rehima Kedir (ETH) 2:36:47
10th November 11, 2012  Kedir Fekadu (ETH) 2:12:57  Seada Kedir (ETH) 2:35:08
9th November 27, 2011  Tariku Jufar (ETH) 2:11:14  Seada Kedir (ETH) 2:31:38
8th November 7, 2010  Mohamed Temam (ETH) 2:16:43  Etaferehu Tarekegn (ETH) 2:41:15
7th December 6, 2009  Mohammed Temam (ETH) 2:16:12  Mihret Tadesse (ETH) 2:42:41
6th November 30, 2008  Alemayehu Shumwe (ETH) 2:12:47  Alemtsehay Hailu (ETH) 2:37:20
5th November 18, 2007  Tamrat Elanso (ETH) 2:19:46  Beyene Adenech (ETH) 2:41:24
4th December 3, 2006  Moses Kemboi (KEN) 2:17:28  Eunice Korir (KEN) 2:49:25
3rd November 13, 2005  Francis Kamau (KEN) 2:19:20  Jane Omoro (KEN) 2:42:19
2nd October 10, 2004  Eshetu Bekele (ETH) 2:17:31  Anastasia Ndereba (KEN) 2:36:46
1st October 19, 2003  Paul Rugut (KEN) 2:17:04  Jackline Torori (KEN) 2:42:29

References

  1. "About BMA - Marathon". Retrieved 2013-01-23.
  2. Butcher, Pat (2010-11-05). Ethiopians the favourites as Beirut's unifying Marathon celebrates its eighth edition. IAAF. Retrieved on 2010-11-07.
  3. Butcher, Pat (2010-11-07). Pacemaker Teman hangs on to win in Beirut. IAAF. Retrieved on 2010-11-07.
  4. Course records fall in Beirut. IAAF (2011-11-27). Retrieved on 2011-11-27.

External links

Coordinates: 33°54′08″N 35°30′12″E / 33.90222°N 35.50333°E