Ethiopian athlete wins 2014 Beirut Marathon
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(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Ethiopian athlete Fikadu Girma defeated thousands of runners on Sunday at the 2014 Banque du Liban Beirut International Marathon.
Girma won the 42.195 kilometer race in 2:12.28, according to Race Director Wissam Terro. The first Lebanese to finish the race was Omar Issa with a time of 2:34.
Beirut Marathon Founder May El-Khalil and Olympic Champion Haile Gebrselassie.
Beirut Marathon Founder May El-Khalil and Olympic Champion Haile Gebrselassie.
In the female 42 kilometer race, Ethiopia’s Molahtas Tscja scored a team of 2:29.12, narrowly beating Kenya’s Monica Jepkoech who had a time of 2:30.
The first Lebanese woman to pass the finish line was Shirine Njeim who scored in a time of 3:09.Several of Beirut’s streets were shut overnight Saturday and Sunday morning to make way for the 37,153 runners from 94 countries who registered for the annual marathon. Terro says most of the runners participated in the five and 10 kilometer races.The event is organized by the Beirut Marathon Association, and sponsored by Lebanon’s Central Bank.
Two-time Olympic gold medalist Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia was invited by the Beirut Marathon Association as a special guest at the event. This year’s marathon was held under the slogan of “love, peace, run.”
Watch LBC’s preview report on the Beirut Marathon below:
[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAQ0fDM4Kq0″ width=”500″ height=”300″]
EXAMINER STAFFNOVEMBER 9, 2014, 11:44 AM COMMENTS OFF ON ETHIOPIAN ATHLETE WINS 2014 BEIRUT MARATHON 1046
CITY BEAT, DETROIT
American Foundation for Auxilia hosts May El-Khalil
(TROY, MI) – The American Foundation for Auxilia hosted Beirut Marathon Association founder May El-Khalil for a brunch at the Marriott Troy on Sunday.
KEY QUOTES:
“We channeled our projects to help poor mothers and underprivileged kids in Nigeria. It made sense to give back to our community that is hosting our families and our husband’s businesses. With that being said, allow me to recognize the efforts you pull to help needy families in Lebanon through your efforts and through the efforts of Auxilia.” –May El Khalil, Beirut Marathon Association Founder
“As a successful Lebanese lady I was very interested in seeing how she thinks and how she became so successful. May El-Khalil works for peace without paying attention to religions or to political affiliations – it’s all for peace. Sometimes something happens for a reason. Even though May was hit by a bus, she was so determined to do something” –Samar Malouf, Michigan Coordinator of the American Foundation for Auxilia
“(El Khalil’s) message really corresponds with Auxilia’s message. We’re trying to give hope and spread a message of love by giving.” –Joe Defouni, American Foundation for Auxilia Board Member
“It was an incredible message, the message of “peace, love, and run.” It’s very catchy.” –Clemence Bouary, American Foundation for Auxilia Member
Click here for photos.
Listen to May El-Khalil’s inspiring story here: http://youtu.be/u1K6hnm09xs
Stay tuned for Lebanese Examiner’s exclusive interview with May El-Khalil later this week.
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