{{Short description|Marathon in Palestine}} {{Infobox athletics race | bgcolour = darkgreen | image =200px | imagesize = 220px | caption = | date = late March | location = Bethlehem, Palestine | type = Road | distance = Marathon | est = {{Start date and age|2013}}<ref name="AJE 2013" /> | sponsor = | participants = 102 (2019) | record = Men's: '''2:28:00''' (2023)<br />{{flagicon|ESP}} Chakib Lachgar Latrache<br />Women's: '''3:08:16''' (2023)<br />{{flagicon|DEN}} Bouchra Lundgren Eriksen | homepage = {{URL|http://www.palestinemarathon.org/|Palestine Marathon}} }} The '''Palestine Marathon''' ({{langx|ar|ماراثون فلسطين}}) is an annual road running event, including races over the marathon, half marathon, 21 km, 10 km and 5 km distances, that takes place on the streets of Bethlehem, Palestine. It was held for the first time on 21 April 2013,<ref name="AJE 2013" /> and has been held annually, except from 2020 to 2021, and until 2023; after a two year hiatus due to the Gaza war, the marathon began again in 2026.<ref>{{Cite news|date=8 May 2026|title= Palestine Marathon returns to West Bank and Gaza, with thousands taking part|url= https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/palestine-marathon-returns-to-west-bank-and-gaza-with-thousands-taking-part/|work=The Times of Israel|access-date=10 May 2026}}</ref>
==Aims and Organisation== The Palestine Marathon was created to highlight restrictions in Palestinian freedom of movement, especially for Palestinian women.<ref name="AJE 2013">{{cite news |last1=Cecco |first1=Leyland |title=In Pictures: 'Right to Movement Marathon' |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/inpictures/2013/04/2013421121436894902.html |accessdate=1 June 2018 |work=Al Jazeera English |date=22 April 2013}}</ref> The idea to organize a marathon in Bethlehem was originally conceived by two Danish entrepreneurs, Lærke Hein and Signe Fischer,<ref name="AJE 2013" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Runners brave rain in Bethlehem's first marathon |url=https://gulfnews.com/news/mena/palestine/runners-brave-rain-in-bethlehem-s-first-marathon-1.1173146 |accessdate=1 June 2018 |work=Gulf News |date=21 April 2013}}</ref> after the annual UNRWA marathon in the Gaza Strip was cancelled. It was cancelled because Hamas authorities would not permit women to run, as the said it's against Islamic law.<ref>{{cite web |title=UNRWA cancels 2013 Gaza Marathon |url=https://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/official-statements/unrwa-cancels-2013-gaza-marathon |publisher=UNRWA |accessdate=1 June 2018}}</ref><ref name="Gaza cancelled">{{cite news |last1=Greenwood |first1=Phoebe |last2=Balousha |first2=Hazem |title=Gaza marathon cancelled by UN after Hamas bans women from participating |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/mar/05/gaza-marathon-cancelled-hamas-bans-women |accessdate=1 June 2018 |work=The Guardian |date=6 March 2013}}</ref>
Fischer said that the idea to organise the marathon first came to her while she was stuck waiting at a checkpoint.<ref name="Walls">{{cite news |title=My Race Through Walls in Palestine Marathon |url=https://forward.com/articles/196844/my-race-through-walls-in-palestine-marathon/?p=all |accessdate=1 June 2018 |work=Forward |date=21 April 2014}}</ref> Hein and Fischer worked with local counterparts,<ref name=Freedom /> establishing a running group,<ref name=MEE /><ref name="AJE 2013" /> which organised the first marathon with support from the Palestine Olympic Committee (POC).<ref name="AP 2013">{{cite news |last1=MUGHRABI |first1=Eyad |title=Palestinians hold first Bethlehem marathon |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/palestinians-hold-first-bethlehem-marathon-190618516.html |accessdate=1 June 2018 |work=Yahoo |agency=Associated Press |date=22 April 2013}}</ref><ref name="Huck">{{cite news |last1=Mellish |first1=Sam |title=The Travel Diary: The Palestine Marathon runs through an occupied land |url=http://www.huckmagazine.com/art-and-culture/photography-2/travel-diary-running-palestine-marathon/ |accessdate=1 June 2018 |date=8 April 2016}}</ref> The fifth event in 2017 was directly organised by the POC, who changed the race's name from "Right to Movement" to "Free Movement".<ref name=maan2017>{{cite news |title=In Photos: Thousands participate in 5th annual Free Movement Palestine Marathon |url=https://www.maannews.com/Content.aspx?id=776211 |accessdate=1 June 2018 |work=Ma'an |date=31 March 2017}}</ref><ref name=Freedom>{{cite news|title=Palestine Marathon Needs Freedom from The PA|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/palestine-marathon-needs-freedom-from-the-pa_us_590cb289e4b046ea176aeab2|accessdate=8 June 2017}}</ref>
==The 2013 event== The first Palestine Marathon took place on 21 April 2013. Because it was not possible to find a 42 km stretch within the Palestinian Territories without passing through Israeli checkpoints, it was decided to hold the event on an 11 km stretch, which full marathon runners would complete 4 times.<ref name="Monitor 2014">{{cite news |last1=Walraven |first1=Jan |title=More than 3,000 runners compete in second Palestine Marathon |url=http://palestinemonitor.org/details.php?id=v3z0q0a6702y15bi5i8b5 |accessdate=1 June 2018 |work=Palestine Monitor |date=12 April 2014 |archive-date=20 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320001316/http://palestinemonitor.org/details.php?id=v3z0q0a6702y15bi5i8b5 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The starting and finishing point was at Manger Square, just opposite the Church of the Nativity, and the route went along Manger Street, through the Aida refugee camp, along the Jerusalem Hebron Street through the Dheisheh camp, ending in the city of Al-Khader, where the runners made a U-turn to run the same route back towards Manger Square.<ref name="AJE 2013" />
The Marathon was held 6 days after the Boston Marathon bombing, and many of the runners and organizers met the day before on the Manger Square for a candle light vigil in solidarity with the victims of the bombing. Jibril Rajoub, head of the POC, asked the runners to bow their heads for one minute's silence in remembrance of the victims before the race began.<ref name="LA 2013">{{cite news |last1=Abukhater |first1=Maher |title=Palestinian marathon kicks off with tribute to Boston victims |url=https://www.latimes.com/world/la-xpm-2013-apr-21-la-fg-wn-palestinian-marathon-20130421-story.html |access-date=1 June 2018 |newspaper=LA Times |date=21 April 2013}}</ref> In the days leading up to the course Israel barred 25 runners from the Gaza Strip to travel through Israel to reach the race in the West Bank. One of the barred runners was Majid Abu Maraheel, a long-distance runner who was the Palestinian flag bearer at the 1996 Summer Olympics, and Nader al-Masri, who represented Palestine at the 2008 Summer Olympics.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sheizaf |first1=Noam |title=IDF prevents Gaza runners from taking part in West Bank marathon |url=https://972mag.com/idf-prevents-gazans-from-running-in-west-bank-marathon/69318/ |accessdate=1 June 2018 |work=+972 Mag |date=15 April 2013}}</ref>
The fact that the race was held in Bethlehem, which is located within Area A of the West Bank, meant that Israeli citizens could not legally participate. Event organiser Fischer made the difficult decision to call Israelis that had registered and ask them not to attend;<ref name=MEE>{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Jonathan |title=Running for rights and resistance |url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/in-depth/features/running-rights-and-resistance-205699293 |accessdate=1 June 2018 |work=Middle East Eye |date=28 November 2014}}</ref> however, Israeli Elon Gilad posed as a Canadian in order to participate.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gilad |first1=Elon |title=To Run a Marathon: Beyond Politics, Across the Separation Barrier |url=https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2013-04-22/ty-article/.premium/elon-gilad-race-a-marathon-beyond-politics/0000017f-db32-db22-a17f-ffb33f570000 |access-date=1 June 2018 |work=Haaretz |date=22 April 2013}}</ref>
The winner of the men's marathon was a Palestinian runner from Jericho, Abdel Nasser Awajna, who finished with a time of 3:09, while the winner of the women's marathon was Palestinian Christine Gebler with a time of 3:38.<ref name="AJE 2013" /> 37% of participants were women.<ref name=MEE /> The marathon was documented in a 2014 film by Danish filmmakers Simon Caspersen and Johan Blem Larsen.<ref>{{cite web |title=Palestine Marathon (2014) |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4093508/ |publisher=IMDB |accessdate=1 June 2018}}</ref>
==The 2014 event== The route was the same as in 2013, starting and finishing point from Manger Square. Over 3000 runners from 39 different nationalities signed up for the race,<ref>{{cite news |title=Thousands run in 'Palestine Marathon' in Bethlehem |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4509392,00.html |accessdate=1 June 2018 |work=Ynet |date=11 April 2014}}</ref> and 34% of the runners were women.<ref name=MEE /> One of the runners was the photographer Jacob Holdt. Finisher's medals were carved from local olive wood.<ref name="AJE 2014">{{cite news |last1=Boarini |first1=Silvia |title=In Pictures: Palestine Marathon |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/inpictures/2014/04/pictures-palestine-marathon-201441214151379329.html |accessdate=1 June 2018 |work=Al Jazeera English |date=13 April 2014}}</ref>
Runners from Gaza, including Nader al-Masri, were once again refused travel permits for the event by Israeli authorities.<ref name="Reuters 2014">{{cite news |last1=al-Mughrabi |first1=Nidal |title=Gaza athlete still running despite West Bank marathon ban |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-palestinian-israel-runner/gaza-athlete-still-runninng-despite-west-bank-marathon-ban-idUSBREA390V420140410 |accessdate=1 June 2018 |work=Reuters |date=10 April 2014}}</ref> Justifying the decision, the body for issue permits stated that “the marathon is supported by the Palestinian Authority and is tainted by political shades which delegitimize the State of Israel.”<ref name="Reuters 2014" /> The decision was affirmed by the Supreme Court of Israel.<ref name="NYT Masri">{{cite news |last1=Rudoren |first1=Jodi |title=Mideast Tensions Sideline a Gazan Marathon Runner |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/11/world/middleeast/mideast-tensions-sideline-a-gazan-marathon-runner.html |accessdate=1 June 2018 |work=New York Times |date=10 April 2014}}</ref>
Despite greater security concerns to the prior year, including a reported threat alleging that Hamas would target the event,<ref name=MEE /> at least two Israeli citizens illegally entered Area A in order to participate in the marathon.<ref name="Walls" />
==The 2015 event== The 2015 Palestine Marathon took place on 27 March following the same route as the two previous years starting from Manger Square. Danish organisers Hein and Fischer began to hand over organising the marathon to Zeidan and other local members of Right to Movement,<ref name=MEE /> alongside the POC.<ref name="Haaretz 2015" /> Although they initially had concerns that international attendance would drop off due to the 2014 Gaza War, a total of 3093 participants in the event - the highest yet.<ref name="MEE 2015">{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Jonathan |title=Gazans triumph at Palestine Marathon in Bethlehem |url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/in-depth/features/gazans-triumph-palestine-marathon-bethlehem-532860937 |accessdate=1 June 2018 |work=Middle East Eye |date=27 March 2015}}</ref> 49 nationalities were present, and a number of members of the Danish parliament participated, including Stine Brix, Pernille Skipper, Jens Joel and Liv Holm Andersen.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Regionale/Oestjylland/2015/03/24/071040.htm|title = Folketingspolitikere løber halvmarathon i Palæstina|date = 24 March 2015}}</ref>
39% of the runners were female, the highest in the race's history - and, according to organisers, one of the highest rates in the world.<ref name="MEE 2015" /> Prominent representatives for the event included Palestinian women Eitedal Ismail, the Director General of the Higher Council of Youth & Sports for the State of Palestine, and Vera Baboun, the first female Mayor of Bethlehem.<ref name="MEE 2015" />
For the first time, 46 runners from Gaza were allowed to participate in the event, and the winner was Nader al-Masri from the Gaza Strip, whose house had been destroyed in the 2014 Gaza War.<ref name="Haaretz 2015">{{cite news |title=Runners 'Hit the Wall' in Third Palestine Marathon |url=https://www.haaretz.com/runners-hit-the-wall-in-third-palestine-marathon-1.5343637 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006191242/https://www.haaretz.com/runners-hit-the-wall-in-third-palestine-marathon-1.5343637 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 6, 2019 |accessdate=1 June 2018 |work=Haaretz |date=29 March 2015}}</ref> Gazans also placed second and third in the men's event.<ref name="MEE 2015" />
==The 2016 event== The Palestine marathon in 2016 took place on 1 April, with the same route as the previous years. It was organised by Right to Movement, Eitedal Ismail, and other partners.<ref name="Huck" /> Support for travel arrangements was provided by Yamsafer. The race had over 4000 participants - the largest number ever, despite participants from Gaza being denied permits to travel to the event, including the winner of the third marathon, Nader al-Masri.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Omer-Man|first1=Michael|title=PHOTOS: Thousands take part in Palestine Marathon for free movement|url=http://972mag.com/photos-thousands-take-part-in-palestine-marathon-for-free-movement/118302/|accessdate=7 April 2016|work=+972}}</ref> The finishing time was the fastest to date, with winner Mervin Steenkamp finishing in 02:35:26, 15 minutes ahead of the second-placed runner.<ref>{{cite web|title=Palestine Marathon @ UltimateLIVE|url=http://live.ultimate.dk/desktop/front/?eventid=2886|accessdate=7 April 2016}}</ref>
==The 2017 event== The 2017 Palestine Marathon took place on 31 March with the same route as the previous years. For the first year, the race included a 2k "family race",<ref name="Mondoweiss 2017">{{cite news |last1=Khalel |first1=Sheren |title=6,000 runners take part in the Palestine Marathon, demand freedom of movement for Palestinians |url=http://mondoweiss.net/2017/04/palestine-marathon-palestinians/ |accessdate=1 June 2018 |work=Mondoweiss |date=3 April 2017}}</ref> alongside the 10 km, half marathon and full marathon races. The race had approximately 5,500<ref name="Hollywood Reporter" /> to 6000<ref name="Mondoweiss 2017" /><ref name=maan2017 /> registered participants from 65 different countries, including 150 from the United Kingdom.<ref name="Middle East Monitor 2017" /> The number of registered female participants reached 50% of registrations for the first time in the Palestine Marathon's history<ref name="Equal 2017">{{cite news |last1=Storkaas |first1=Adelina |title=Women Runners Equal Men in Palestine Marathon |url=https://www.outdoorjournal.com/focus-2/women-runners-equal-men-in-palestine-marathon/ |accessdate=8 June 2018}}</ref> - far above the global average of 30%.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Carter |first1=Kate |title=Marathons by numbers: running the data |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/the-running-blog/2015/apr/21/marathons-by-numbers-running-the-data |accessdate=8 June 2018 |work=The Guardian |date=21 April 2015}}</ref> 500 runners with disabilities competed in the event; Bethlehem Governor Jibrin al-Bakri said that the event “opens the space for reinforcing spots and concentrating on different social cases including rights of people with disabilities.”<ref name=maan2017 /> For the first time, the POC took direct responsibility for organising the race, changing the event's name from "Right to Movement" to "Free Movement".<ref name="Mondoweiss 2017" /><ref name=maan2017 />
36 of the 50 registered participants from Gaza were denied permits to travel to the event,<ref name="Mondoweiss 2017" /> along with six sports administrators.<ref name="Middle East Monitor 2017">{{cite news |title=Israel bans Gaza runners from Palestine Marathon in Bethlehem |url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170330-israel-bans-runners-from-palestine-marathon-in-bethlehem/ |accessdate=8 June 2018 |work=Middle East Monitor |date=30 March 2017}}</ref> For the third time, 2015 winner Nader al-Masri was banned from participating.<ref name="Middle East Monitor 2017" />
British comedian and noted marathon runner Eddie Izzard registered to run the 2017 Palestine Marathon. However, he was criticized by the Palestinian Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement because he had performed a gig in Tel Aviv the day prior to the event.<ref name="Hollywood Reporter">{{cite news |last1=Ritman |first1=Alex |title=Eddie Izzard Misses Palestinian Marathon Following Backlash Over Tel Aviv Gig |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/eddie-izzard-misses-palestinian-marathon-backlash-tel-aviv-gig-990326 |accessdate=6 June 2018 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=31 March 2017}}</ref> The event organisers released a statement via Twitter that Izzard "cannot run" if he performed the show. Izzard replied in a statement that the Palestinian Authority was allowing him to run, but due to "others" not wanting him to, he would not participate.<ref name="Hollywood Reporter" />
==The 2018 event== The Palestine Marathon in 2018 took place on 23 March with the same route as the previous years. The race had over 7000 participants - the largest number ever, despite participants from Gaza being denied permits to travel to the event.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.palestinemarathon.org/news/689.html|title=Marathon Palestine|access-date=2018-04-25|archive-date=2023-03-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305015030/https://palestinemarathon.org/news/689.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.palestinemarathon.org/news/688.html|title=Marathon Palestine|access-date=2018-04-25|archive-date=2021-07-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730005851/https://palestinemarathon.org/news/688.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="results2018">{{cite web |url=http://palestinemonitor.org/details.php?id=snsj8la17804y2qzsc2uzr |title=The Palestine Marathon: A glimpse into Palestinians' freedom of movement |website=palestinemonitor.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429024859/http://palestinemonitor.org/details.php?id=snsj8la17804y2qzsc2uzr |archive-date=2018-04-29}}</ref>
==The 2019 event== The Palestine Marathon was held on 22 March 2019, with more than 8,000 runners from 76 countries participated in the event.<ref>{{Cite news|date=21 March 2019|title= Palestine seventh international marathon kicks off tomorrow|url= https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/97803|work=Wafa|access-date=10 May 2026}}</ref>
==The 2022 event== After two years of hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022 Palestine Marathon was held on 18 March 2022, with over 10,000 runners participated in the event. The marathon started at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.<ref>{{Cite news|date=18 March 2022|title= Bethlehem hosts Eighth International Palestine Marathon|url= https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/128468|work=Wafa|access-date=10 May 2026}}</ref>
==The 2023 event== The 2023 Palestine Marathon was held on 10 March 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|date=10 March 2023|title= Bethlehem hosts Ninth International Palestine Marathon|url= https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/133831|website=Wafa|access-date=10 May 2026}}</ref>
==The 2026 event== After a two year gap due to the war in Gaza, the Palestine Marathon was held once more on 8 May 2026.<ref>{{cite news |title=Palestine Marathon attracts thousands of runners |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cm2p4n000pko |access-date=8 May 2026 |work=BBC News |date=8 May 2026}}</ref> The marathon was held both in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, with both of its started points the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and Wadi Gaza bridge respectively.<ref>{{Cite news|date=8 May 2026|title= Thousands run Palestine Marathon under shadow of Israel’s war on Gaza|url= https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2026/5/8/thousands-run-palestine-marathon-under-shadow-of-israels-war-on-gaza|work=Al Jazeera|access-date=10 May 2026}}</ref> The marathon was organized by the Palestine Olympic Committee along with the Egyptian Committee for Gaza Relief and other organizations.<ref>{{Cite web|date=9 May 2026|title= Palestine Marathon returns to Bethlehem after Gaza war suspension|url= https://www.bastillepost.com/global/article/5842207-palestine-marathon-returns-to-bethlehem-after-gaza-war-suspension|website=Bastillepost|access-date=10 May 2026}}</ref>
==List of winners of the Palestine Marathon==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" |- !class=unsortable|Edition !Year !class=unsortable|Men's winner !Time (h:m:s) !class=unsortable|Women's winner !Time (h:m:s) |- | 9th | 10 March 2023 | align=left|{{flagathlete|Chakib Lachgar Latrache|ESP}} | bgcolor=#A9F5A9|'''2:28:00''' | align=left|{{flagathlete|Bouchra Lundgren Eriksen|DEN}} | bgcolor=#A9F5A9|'''3:08:16''' |- | 8th | 18 March 2022 | align=left|{{flagathlete|Yuriy Blahodir|UKR}} | 2:46:26 | align=left|{{flagathlete|Frida Södermark|SWE}} | 3:14:02 |- | 7th | 22 March 2019 | align=left|{{flagathlete|Quentin Guillon|FRA}} | 2:42:41 | align=left|{{flagathlete|Svitlana Stanko-Klymenko|UKR}}<ref name="results2018" /> | 3:15:14 |- | 6th | 23 March 2018 | align=left|{{flagathlete|Yuriy Blahodir|UKR}}<ref name="results2018" /> | 2:45:56 | align=left|{{flagathlete|Anaïs Quemener|FRA}}<ref name="results2018" /> | 3:15:22 |- | 5th | 31 March 2017 | align=left|{{flagathlete|Mervin Steenkamp|RSA}} | 2:51:06 | align=left|{{flagathlete|Katie Desprez|USA}} | 3:15:10 |- | 4th | 1 April 2016 | align=left|{{flagathlete|Mervin Steenkamp|RSA}} | 2:35:26 | align=left|{{flagathlete|Alicia Saavedra|SWE}} | 3:30:40 |- | 3rd | 27 March 2015 | align=left|{{flagathlete|Nader al-Masri|PLE}} | 2:57:14 | align=left|{{flagathlete|Maibritt Kristoffersen|DEN}} | 3:19:26 |- | 2nd | 11 April 2014 | align=left|{{flagathlete|Anders Rømer|DEN}}<br />{{flagathlete|Morten Hvidtfeldt|DEN}} | 2:51:13 | align=left|{{flagathlete|Paola Addari|ITA}} | 3:30:13 |- | 1st | 21 April 2013 | align=left|{{flagathlete|Abed El Naser Awajneh|PLE}} | 3:09:47 | align=left|{{flagathlete|Christine Gebler|USA}} | 3:36:37 |}
==References== {{reflist|2}}
==External links== * {{official website|http://www.palestinemarathon.org/}}
Category:Recurring sporting events established in 2013 Category:Marathons in Asia Category:Sport in the West Bank Category:Annual events in Palestine Category:Athletics in Palestine Category:Spring (season) in Palestine Category:2013 establishments in Palestine