Bethlehem: Thousands of Palestinians and international participants took part in the tenth Palestine International Marathon in the occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem, while a parallel race was held in Gaza for the first time in two years following Israel’s war on the territory.
The 42-kilometre marathon began near the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem early Friday morning. Organisers said the event aimed to highlight Palestinian unity during a period of continued violence in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Marathon coordinator Itidal Abdul Ghani said the race carried the message of “the unity of the homeland.” Runners participated in simultaneous events across different Palestinian areas separated by Israeli checkpoints and barriers.
A separate five-kilometre race took place in central Gaza, beginning near Wadi Gaza Bridge. Organisers also held virtual marathon events in several countries between April 17 and April 21. More than 5,000 people from 88 countries joined those online events.
According to organisers, total participation exceeded 13,000 runners. Around 2,523 runners joined from Gaza, while nearly 1,000 foreign participants arrived from 75 countries.
The event included a full marathon, half marathon, 10-kilometre race and family run. Amputees and participants using crutches also joined races in Gaza.
Many runners carried Palestinian flags and wore keffiyehs during the event. The marathon route passed through streets bordered by checkpoints and the Israeli separation wall. Organisers described the marathon as both a sports event and a peaceful expression of solidarity with Gaza.
The Palestine Marathon first began in 2013 and has continued annually with participation from local and international runners.
