50,000 runners participate in Beirut Marathon

Beirut, Nov 13 (IANS) Almost 50,000 people came together in the Lebanese capital city on Sunday morning to participate in the annual Beirut Marathon, a charitable and sporting event, which draws people from across the country and around the world.

Lebanon's Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri took part in the seven kilometre fun race and was seen wearing black attire and sunglasses and taking selfies with participants, reports Xinhua.

The marathon started at around 7 a.m. and included 11 different races for adults, women, special needs individuals, students and children accompanied by their parents.

One of the most challenging races is the internationally measured and certified 42 kilometre race, which begins from the Beirut New Waterfront and ends at Martyrs' Square in Downtown Beirut and spans various neighborhoods in and around the Lebanese capital.

Kenyan Edwin Kibet Kiptoo won the 42 kilometer race, while Jordanian Ahmed Soumar came in first place in the 21 kilometer half race.

Shereen Njeim was the first Lebanese woman in the 42 kilometre race, coming in fourth place in the total ranking.

Refreshment stands, paramedics and police were on standby along the whole route. Different companies, organisations, universities and other institutions were represented with runners at the long race, setting up their own stands and cheering on the participants.

Road closures and diversions caused heavy traffic in some areas of the city.

--IANS

pur/dg