São Paulo – Over 2,000 people participated on Wednesday (1) in the 2nd edition of Gaza Marathon. The event was organized to collect funds for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). According to information disclosed by Radio UN, the donations obtained in this marathon should also be used in promotion of the Palestinian Summer Games, which offers recreation activities for over 250,000 children.
Of the approximately 500 adult participants, 200 were professional and amateur athletes from Gaza, 200 were women and 80 were foreign athletes participation in the event in solidarity for the Palestinian refugees. The remains were children who covered the shortest stretch of the race, often in the rain and at temperatures close to zero. Children with deficiencies also participated in the competition in two marches: one covering two kilometres and another covering 500 metres. Approximately 180 children with special needs competed.
According to Spanish news agency EFE, the deputy director at UNRWA, Christer Nordal, said that the objective of the marathon is to attract the world’s attention to the suffering of the kids of Gaza to the need for financing summer camps. “The marathon sends two messages: that children in Gaza tend to live as normal a life as children elsewhere and that the UNRWA has authentic needs: that countries provide services to the people of Gaza”.
Winner, Al-Masri, completed the stretch between Beit Hanun, in the north of Gaza Strip, and Rafah, in the south, in 3 hours and ten minutes. The world record for the modality was obtained in the 2011 edition of the Berlin Marathon, by the Kenyan Patrick Makau, who covered the 42,195 metres of the race in 2h03m38s.
“This is the second time I participate in Gaza Marathon. We are doing this for the Summer Games. We hope for these games to take joy to the children of Gaza,” said Al-Masri, who will participate in the London Olympics. Apart from the marathon, a half marathon and a 10 kilometre race also took place.
*Translated by Mark Ament
