NNA - The "City Race" organized by the Beirut Marathon Association in its second edition witnessed the participation of 2,600 runners who graced the streets of the capital today, held in collaboration with Virgin Unite, Beirut's Governorate, the Beirut Municipality, and the Lebanese Athletics Federation.

The participants ran through Beirut's streets for two distances: a 10-kilometer competitive race for men and women, and a 5-kilometer fun run. The race started on Prince Bashir Street in Al-Azarieh, next to the Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque, and ended at the Beirut Waterfront.

In a brief word at the outset of the race, Association President Mai El-Khalil expressed her pride and appreciation in welcoming all the participants, considering the marathon and the runners a symbol of hope and positive energy.

The Lebanese national anthem was then played, followed by a moment of silence in memory of the late artist Ziad Rahbani. 

The starting signal for the 10-kilometer competitive race for men and women was given at 6:30 a.m., followed by the 5-kilometer fun race at 8:00 a.m., with 1,200 students participating from public schools, Islamic orphanages, a number of charitable organizations, and National Education Scouts delegations hailing from all Lebanese regions. The final race was a 3-kilometer roller derby.

In the technical results of the 10 km (competitive) race, Ali Reda Kanaan from the Lebanese Army came in first place for men, recording 26:31 minutes, while the previous record was set by runner Charbel Sejaan from the Inter Lebanon Club, reaching 36:32 minutes. Therefore, no new record was set for this distance in the race, and the best record remained held by the Lebanese Zaid Al-Sayed, who resides in Germany (14:30 minutes), a record he reached in one of the races in Australia. The best record for women is still in the name of the Ethiopian Bantu Repetto, which is 59:32 minutes.

At the end of the marathon, the winners were presented with victory shields, while cash prizes will be awarded to the top three men and women following the results of the doping tests. These prizes will be $750 for first place, $500 for second place, and $300 for third place.

A Lebanese Army unit provided security for the race, and a unit from the Internal Security Forces arranged for road closures along the race course. A team of 35 young men and women from the Lebanese Red Cross were also present for the safety of the runners, and a medical center provided by the Lebanese American University's UMC-RH was also present for the same purpose. A team of physical therapists and a group of 150 young men and women from the Lebanese Red Cross Youth Department were also present for logistical tasks.