we are pleased to announce that Olympia Altitude Training Center will be offering three new packages for those who wish to train and run at high altitude.
with very comfortable accommodation and with the best coaches and trainers in the world on hand we can provide the best for you
Champions Package - includes coaching, training, transportation, full board and pacing by international athletes - $90 per day per person
Run My Race Package - includes, coaching, training, transportation, and full board - $70 per day per person
Runners Vacation Package - includes training, transportation and full board - $55 per person
These packages provide you with a choice of services... all packages include physiotherapy twice a week and a wide variety of training venues. From running across the elevated plains of Solulta Road to the Eucalyptus forests, there is unlimited opportunity to build up your red blood cells while living and training at above 2500M above sea level, all the way up to 3,200M above sea level.
It's a fantastic experience and for those who are very serious the coaching is unparalleled, our head coach is the former coach of Haile Gerbreselassie.. which we believe is a high recommendation indeed...
contact us for more information...
Based in the home of the world's greatest runners, Olympia Altitude Training Center is host to some world champions and provides running services for all runners at every level...
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
HSBC Earth Race09
Time to Run for Climate Change...
we are now entering the month of the HSBC Earth Race 09 and the hype is on... Last year's race was a huge success and we are excited about this year's...
Climate change is the number one topic for our agenda... not the global financial crises... money comes and goes, but our planet will expire if we dont do anything about it... NOW! So the run for climate change entitled: The Earth is Turning On Us is an attempt to build up a strong message to everyone that we must change before the change captures us!
We see the signs of climate change all around us, unseasonably hot or cold weather, floods, storms, droughts, desserts spreading...
I feel great sadness every time I drive along and see that another part of the country side has been eaten up to build more tower blocks... There are so many available houses today that are unoccupied - that means resources that are just being wasted...
I see lights left on, water left running, garbage thrown around... the list is endless...
Our message is that YOU can make a change... you can be the difference...
so... I encourage everyone to sign up and run, 21.1k Intl Half Marathon, 5k fun run or 1.5k kids run, there is a race for everyone.... so hope to see you on 26th April 09 in our HSBC Earth Race 09...
cheers
we are now entering the month of the HSBC Earth Race 09 and the hype is on... Last year's race was a huge success and we are excited about this year's...
Climate change is the number one topic for our agenda... not the global financial crises... money comes and goes, but our planet will expire if we dont do anything about it... NOW! So the run for climate change entitled: The Earth is Turning On Us is an attempt to build up a strong message to everyone that we must change before the change captures us!
We see the signs of climate change all around us, unseasonably hot or cold weather, floods, storms, droughts, desserts spreading...
I feel great sadness every time I drive along and see that another part of the country side has been eaten up to build more tower blocks... There are so many available houses today that are unoccupied - that means resources that are just being wasted...
I see lights left on, water left running, garbage thrown around... the list is endless...
Our message is that YOU can make a change... you can be the difference...
so... I encourage everyone to sign up and run, 21.1k Intl Half Marathon, 5k fun run or 1.5k kids run, there is a race for everyone.... so hope to see you on 26th April 09 in our HSBC Earth Race 09...
cheers
Walk and Run to complete a marathon...
Marathon’s for everyone – Walk, Run, Walk! – Completing three marathons in three months.
The marathon distance of 42.195km strikes fear into the hearts of so many would be runners. Watching people struggle to reach the finish line, many failing and telling their tails of the difficulties of their race, fills the rest of us with the doubt that even if we were to try, we would probably fail. Add to that the fear of all the training that is required to reach the iconic distance, and we become overwhelmed. It’s all just too much effort!
Well, I’m here to tell you that YOU can run a marathon! Whoever you are!
How do I know? And why am I able to make such a bold statement? Research! I have run three marathons for you in just a week over three months, with absolutely no training. My objective was to study how any reasonable fit person can complete the marathon distance in a reasonable time without any training and assuring a lifetime personal victory. Several things you should know:
1. I am aged 43 years old
2. I weighed 119kg at the start of each race (being 186 tall, that is overweight), except the third, where I weighed 120kg
3. I am an active person – moving around a lot during the day, not completely desk bound, which accounts for some basic fitness, despite my weight
4. I did not train in any way whatsoever for any of the three races (any exercise done is detailed below)
5. I put in my mind that 42k is a nice distance that allows me to see and explore the location and enjoy the beauty and sights around the race and not “a very long distance” – part of the success is to conquer the distance in your mind
6. I was determined to finish each race and was not concerned what anyone thought of me for walking – I also took out of my mind (this foolishness of always) having to have a personal best – leaving that for the professional athletes
7. I always started each race slowly (well it felt like that anyway, even though the data shows that I didn’t), attempting to conserve my energy for the end of the race
8. Running for me means to run at a comfortable pace for my body – which was about 6min 30secs per km or around 9kmph
9. Walking for me means to walk absolutely as fast as I possibly can, which obviously gets slower towards the end, but was around 8min 30 secs per km or around 6.7kmph to 7.2kmph
10. When I could no longer achieve “walk-run”, then I took 1 minute very slow walk breaks within my walks to allow recovery, thus becoming “walk-veryslowwalk-walk”
11. I visited a doctor and did a series of tests before starting. There were no anomalies in my blood tests and exams, being certified as “fit” other than of course, being overweight.
Marathon 1
Athens Classical Marathon, Greece:
I did absolutely no running of any kind from 7th August other than 5 exercise sessions with my wife for a grand total of 14km at an average pace of 9mins and 13sec per km, hardly marathon training. Additionally I suffered an injury to my calf muscle (playing basketball!). It was during this period from 7th August to 7th November that I gained 5kg of weight. Just to be honest, my previous completed marathon was Rome marathon which I ran in 5:00 straight, in April 2008, and for which I trained a total of 667km in 71 hours for an average pace of 6mins 27 secs per km or 9.29kmph. So any residual fitness could be considered as general fitness. I have previously run 3 marathons, being Glasgow (86), London (07) and Rome (08).
The inspiration to start this study came from the advertized “power-walk” at the Athens Marathon, which I decided to register in on Saturday (day before) since I was in Athens for the AIMS Symposium. I had recently read an article in “Marathon and Beyond” that talked extensively about the concept of walk-run-walk. That fellow made it a science and over a period of about 3 years got down to under 4hours. So with this in mind, I decided to test his theory for myself and share the results with anyone who would give me enough time to explain them.
November 7th 2008 – 06:00
Woke up bright and early on race day and headed off to the start of the power walk:
Distance Walk Run Walk run time/km km/stage time/stage
1km - 5km 3min 3min 3min 3min 0:08:09 5 0:40:45
6km - 10km 3min 3min 3min 3min 0:08:24 5 0:42:00
10km - 21.1km 3min 3min 3min 3min 0:07:57 11.1 1:28:15
21.1km - 27km 3min 3min 3min 3min 0:08:22 5.9 0:49:22
27km - 35km Walk Walk Walk Walk 0:09:15 8 1:14:00
35km - 42km 3min 3min 3min 3min 0:08:24 7.2 1:00:29
42.2 5:54:50
Notes:
• The phase between 27km and 35km is where the race goes over a serious hill. Complete recovery was achieved by 35km and the process of walk run resumed
• The course was well attended with energy drinks, gel and fruits and food, allowing replenishment of energy along the way at a moderate pace
• Carrying a water bottle all the way allowed my arms to work like a pendulum, holding the water first in one hand and then the other, made the upper body participate more in propelling the body forward, especially uphill
• Now, think about this: I trained, running over 665km, for Rome marathon, and achieved 5:00. I did absolutely no training at all for Athens, and achieved 5:54. Imagine my great satisfaction.
• The only injury sustained was rubbed nipples, which I had to fix with band aid somewhere along the course at the medical station
• The only challenge physically was at about 30k where one of my hip bones felt tired and I asked for two Panadol at a medical station (which I had to sign for) to relax the pain. It was fine after that
• My recovery consisted of a swim and a sauna on the afternoon of race day, and two Panadol twice on Monday and twice on Tuesday, and a good long sleep on Monday night
Marathon 2
So, spurred on by my big success in Athens, I decided it would be a great idea to develop the idea further, so I registered for the next marathon, which was exactly one month later and very near Beirut. The weekend before the marathon I was working from Saturday morning till Sunday night without any sleep at all, managing the BLOM Beirut Marathon. Tuesday night and Wednesday night were spent measuring the Amman International Marathon (so again a shortage of sleep), and then the race was on Friday. So I had no real time to recover from my strenuous work prior to run-walking the Red Sea Marathon.
Red Hills Aqaba Marathon, Jordan:
Distance Walk run walk Run time/km km/stage time/stage
1km - 4.85km 3min 3min 3min 3min 0:07:16 4.85 0:35:15
4.85 - 10.16km 3min 3min 3min 3min 0:06:54 5.31 0:36:36
10.16 - 21.194 3min 3min 3min 3min 0:07:29 11.034 1:22:38
21.194 - 27.051 walk 0:08:02 5.857 0:47:03
27.051 - 35.630 walk 0:08:48 8.579 1:15:31
35.630 - 40.9 walk 1min walk 1min 0:08:08 5.27 0:42:50
0:07:49 40.9 5:19:53
If the last km had been completed at the average pace achieved 42.2 0:10:10 5:30:03
If the last km had been completed at the pace of last 5km 42.2 0:10:34 5:30:27
Notes:
• Aqaba Marathon starts from the top of the hill and descends to sea level, then proceeds out into the desert where it is hot and completely unsupported, returning into the city for the last few k.
• The km markers were incorrectly set, being always 1km ahead of the markers until 32k when suddenly you arrive at the finish line 1k early – very disorienting and challenging to the mind, because for a good 15km you think that the race is going to be 43k so you conserve energy for the end, then discovering that it is short you cannot maximize your remaining energy
• There is only water between start and finish. No fruit. No gel. No energy drinks. No entertainment. No single spectator (other than my wife who waited at 10k, at 33k and near the finish – which was the best encouragement ever!).
• Definitely not a marathon for the weak hearted or beginner.
• I completed 4 training sessions of 3k each, run walk run, because I wanted to be beside my wife as she prepared to compete in her first 10k race
• I also organized the BLOM Beirut Marathon (my full time job) one week before Aqaba, where I completed about 7k of running and walking around the start line and finish line
• I had a secret weapon at 35k – my wife showed up to cheer me on… and she kept appearing along the way all the way to the finish line where she was my biggest fan!
Marathon 3
BLOM Beirut Marathon 08 ½ :
Notes:
• Having chosen Dubai Marathon as my third and final marathon for the “three marathons in three months” I had to modify at the last minute due to solving my work papers (no way to travel if the work visa is not in order), so instead of travelling, what better than running the BLOM Beirut Marathon? Only one catch, the marathon is already over. Since I organize the BBM event, what better than to have my team set up a marathon for me? Water stations, Gatorade and fruit stations were organized according to the exact marathon standards. A lead car was organized and so very early (06:00) on Sunday 18th January I set out for the third and final challenge, together with the Race Director (who ran 10k) and Race Manager JeanClaude Rabbath (who completed his first ever marathon)
• I completed only one training session of 2.88km of walking with my wife in the month between Dead Sea and Beirut
• I “enjoyed” Christmas, Eid Al Adha and New Year celebrations with plenty of good food (nothing to drink as I am a tea totaller) with the outcome being plus 1kg
• It rained consistently from 27km to 33km but there was not much wind
• At 30km I stopped and waited for ten minutes for JeanClaude to catch up with me as I he had fallen 1km behind and I thought that he might give up if I left him alone.
• At 34k we ate a Mars Bar and a Galaxy bar each
• At 41.2k JeanClaude decided that he would sprint off to the finish line, and he completed his walk run in 5:41 and some seconds… which frankly disappointed me… I had imagined that we would cross the finish line together, especially as I had waited ten minutes for him… but there you go – that’s the “competitive” spirit
• I was able to deploy my secret weapon again, with my wife cheering me on at 40.5k and of course cheering me over the finish line!
Why complete 43km when you can do just 42.2?
It is of prime importance that you take the shortest visual line around the course. Why? The course is measured by professionals from the IAAF and AIMS who spend hours calculating the shortest possible trajectory that a runner can take through curves and corners. I watched so many of the leading athletes in the race take an arbitrary route that follows the general direction of the race. They have run much more than they need to and could cut off time from their race by being as close to the curbs and the apex of every corner as possible. You as a walker can do that. In the example below you will see that the careless runner who takes the middle of the road will complete a distance of 521m while an aware runner, getting within 15cm of the curb will only complete a distance of 514m. That equates to an average of 600m more in a marathon – which if you are on an 8min per km pace will be an additional 4:48 seconds added to your finishing time. That’s huge. And following the blue line painted on the road may not be the shortest route either. Many times the blue line painting machine cannot get to the shortest possible route due to parked cars during the time of painting, and so becomes a guideline rather than gospel.
Your best course of action is to keep your head up and focus on the curves and turns and try to be as close to the curb as possible as you go through the corners; remember, you must not step off the road onto the curb or sidewalk as that will be considered as cheating.
Looking forward to seeing you all on the finish line and celebrating your victory!
Good Luck!
The marathon distance of 42.195km strikes fear into the hearts of so many would be runners. Watching people struggle to reach the finish line, many failing and telling their tails of the difficulties of their race, fills the rest of us with the doubt that even if we were to try, we would probably fail. Add to that the fear of all the training that is required to reach the iconic distance, and we become overwhelmed. It’s all just too much effort!
Well, I’m here to tell you that YOU can run a marathon! Whoever you are!
How do I know? And why am I able to make such a bold statement? Research! I have run three marathons for you in just a week over three months, with absolutely no training. My objective was to study how any reasonable fit person can complete the marathon distance in a reasonable time without any training and assuring a lifetime personal victory. Several things you should know:
1. I am aged 43 years old
2. I weighed 119kg at the start of each race (being 186 tall, that is overweight), except the third, where I weighed 120kg
3. I am an active person – moving around a lot during the day, not completely desk bound, which accounts for some basic fitness, despite my weight
4. I did not train in any way whatsoever for any of the three races (any exercise done is detailed below)
5. I put in my mind that 42k is a nice distance that allows me to see and explore the location and enjoy the beauty and sights around the race and not “a very long distance” – part of the success is to conquer the distance in your mind
6. I was determined to finish each race and was not concerned what anyone thought of me for walking – I also took out of my mind (this foolishness of always) having to have a personal best – leaving that for the professional athletes
7. I always started each race slowly (well it felt like that anyway, even though the data shows that I didn’t), attempting to conserve my energy for the end of the race
8. Running for me means to run at a comfortable pace for my body – which was about 6min 30secs per km or around 9kmph
9. Walking for me means to walk absolutely as fast as I possibly can, which obviously gets slower towards the end, but was around 8min 30 secs per km or around 6.7kmph to 7.2kmph
10. When I could no longer achieve “walk-run”, then I took 1 minute very slow walk breaks within my walks to allow recovery, thus becoming “walk-veryslowwalk-walk”
11. I visited a doctor and did a series of tests before starting. There were no anomalies in my blood tests and exams, being certified as “fit” other than of course, being overweight.
Marathon 1
Athens Classical Marathon, Greece:
I did absolutely no running of any kind from 7th August other than 5 exercise sessions with my wife for a grand total of 14km at an average pace of 9mins and 13sec per km, hardly marathon training. Additionally I suffered an injury to my calf muscle (playing basketball!). It was during this period from 7th August to 7th November that I gained 5kg of weight. Just to be honest, my previous completed marathon was Rome marathon which I ran in 5:00 straight, in April 2008, and for which I trained a total of 667km in 71 hours for an average pace of 6mins 27 secs per km or 9.29kmph. So any residual fitness could be considered as general fitness. I have previously run 3 marathons, being Glasgow (86), London (07) and Rome (08).
The inspiration to start this study came from the advertized “power-walk” at the Athens Marathon, which I decided to register in on Saturday (day before) since I was in Athens for the AIMS Symposium. I had recently read an article in “Marathon and Beyond” that talked extensively about the concept of walk-run-walk. That fellow made it a science and over a period of about 3 years got down to under 4hours. So with this in mind, I decided to test his theory for myself and share the results with anyone who would give me enough time to explain them.
November 7th 2008 – 06:00
Woke up bright and early on race day and headed off to the start of the power walk:
Distance Walk Run Walk run time/km km/stage time/stage
1km - 5km 3min 3min 3min 3min 0:08:09 5 0:40:45
6km - 10km 3min 3min 3min 3min 0:08:24 5 0:42:00
10km - 21.1km 3min 3min 3min 3min 0:07:57 11.1 1:28:15
21.1km - 27km 3min 3min 3min 3min 0:08:22 5.9 0:49:22
27km - 35km Walk Walk Walk Walk 0:09:15 8 1:14:00
35km - 42km 3min 3min 3min 3min 0:08:24 7.2 1:00:29
42.2 5:54:50
Notes:
• The phase between 27km and 35km is where the race goes over a serious hill. Complete recovery was achieved by 35km and the process of walk run resumed
• The course was well attended with energy drinks, gel and fruits and food, allowing replenishment of energy along the way at a moderate pace
• Carrying a water bottle all the way allowed my arms to work like a pendulum, holding the water first in one hand and then the other, made the upper body participate more in propelling the body forward, especially uphill
• Now, think about this: I trained, running over 665km, for Rome marathon, and achieved 5:00. I did absolutely no training at all for Athens, and achieved 5:54. Imagine my great satisfaction.
• The only injury sustained was rubbed nipples, which I had to fix with band aid somewhere along the course at the medical station
• The only challenge physically was at about 30k where one of my hip bones felt tired and I asked for two Panadol at a medical station (which I had to sign for) to relax the pain. It was fine after that
• My recovery consisted of a swim and a sauna on the afternoon of race day, and two Panadol twice on Monday and twice on Tuesday, and a good long sleep on Monday night
Marathon 2
So, spurred on by my big success in Athens, I decided it would be a great idea to develop the idea further, so I registered for the next marathon, which was exactly one month later and very near Beirut. The weekend before the marathon I was working from Saturday morning till Sunday night without any sleep at all, managing the BLOM Beirut Marathon. Tuesday night and Wednesday night were spent measuring the Amman International Marathon (so again a shortage of sleep), and then the race was on Friday. So I had no real time to recover from my strenuous work prior to run-walking the Red Sea Marathon.
Red Hills Aqaba Marathon, Jordan:
Distance Walk run walk Run time/km km/stage time/stage
1km - 4.85km 3min 3min 3min 3min 0:07:16 4.85 0:35:15
4.85 - 10.16km 3min 3min 3min 3min 0:06:54 5.31 0:36:36
10.16 - 21.194 3min 3min 3min 3min 0:07:29 11.034 1:22:38
21.194 - 27.051 walk 0:08:02 5.857 0:47:03
27.051 - 35.630 walk 0:08:48 8.579 1:15:31
35.630 - 40.9 walk 1min walk 1min 0:08:08 5.27 0:42:50
0:07:49 40.9 5:19:53
If the last km had been completed at the average pace achieved 42.2 0:10:10 5:30:03
If the last km had been completed at the pace of last 5km 42.2 0:10:34 5:30:27
Notes:
• Aqaba Marathon starts from the top of the hill and descends to sea level, then proceeds out into the desert where it is hot and completely unsupported, returning into the city for the last few k.
• The km markers were incorrectly set, being always 1km ahead of the markers until 32k when suddenly you arrive at the finish line 1k early – very disorienting and challenging to the mind, because for a good 15km you think that the race is going to be 43k so you conserve energy for the end, then discovering that it is short you cannot maximize your remaining energy
• There is only water between start and finish. No fruit. No gel. No energy drinks. No entertainment. No single spectator (other than my wife who waited at 10k, at 33k and near the finish – which was the best encouragement ever!).
• Definitely not a marathon for the weak hearted or beginner.
• I completed 4 training sessions of 3k each, run walk run, because I wanted to be beside my wife as she prepared to compete in her first 10k race
• I also organized the BLOM Beirut Marathon (my full time job) one week before Aqaba, where I completed about 7k of running and walking around the start line and finish line
• I had a secret weapon at 35k – my wife showed up to cheer me on… and she kept appearing along the way all the way to the finish line where she was my biggest fan!
Marathon 3
BLOM Beirut Marathon 08 ½ :
Notes:
• Having chosen Dubai Marathon as my third and final marathon for the “three marathons in three months” I had to modify at the last minute due to solving my work papers (no way to travel if the work visa is not in order), so instead of travelling, what better than running the BLOM Beirut Marathon? Only one catch, the marathon is already over. Since I organize the BBM event, what better than to have my team set up a marathon for me? Water stations, Gatorade and fruit stations were organized according to the exact marathon standards. A lead car was organized and so very early (06:00) on Sunday 18th January I set out for the third and final challenge, together with the Race Director (who ran 10k) and Race Manager JeanClaude Rabbath (who completed his first ever marathon)
• I completed only one training session of 2.88km of walking with my wife in the month between Dead Sea and Beirut
• I “enjoyed” Christmas, Eid Al Adha and New Year celebrations with plenty of good food (nothing to drink as I am a tea totaller) with the outcome being plus 1kg
• It rained consistently from 27km to 33km but there was not much wind
• At 30km I stopped and waited for ten minutes for JeanClaude to catch up with me as I he had fallen 1km behind and I thought that he might give up if I left him alone.
• At 34k we ate a Mars Bar and a Galaxy bar each
• At 41.2k JeanClaude decided that he would sprint off to the finish line, and he completed his walk run in 5:41 and some seconds… which frankly disappointed me… I had imagined that we would cross the finish line together, especially as I had waited ten minutes for him… but there you go – that’s the “competitive” spirit
• I was able to deploy my secret weapon again, with my wife cheering me on at 40.5k and of course cheering me over the finish line!
Why complete 43km when you can do just 42.2?
It is of prime importance that you take the shortest visual line around the course. Why? The course is measured by professionals from the IAAF and AIMS who spend hours calculating the shortest possible trajectory that a runner can take through curves and corners. I watched so many of the leading athletes in the race take an arbitrary route that follows the general direction of the race. They have run much more than they need to and could cut off time from their race by being as close to the curbs and the apex of every corner as possible. You as a walker can do that. In the example below you will see that the careless runner who takes the middle of the road will complete a distance of 521m while an aware runner, getting within 15cm of the curb will only complete a distance of 514m. That equates to an average of 600m more in a marathon – which if you are on an 8min per km pace will be an additional 4:48 seconds added to your finishing time. That’s huge. And following the blue line painted on the road may not be the shortest route either. Many times the blue line painting machine cannot get to the shortest possible route due to parked cars during the time of painting, and so becomes a guideline rather than gospel.
Your best course of action is to keep your head up and focus on the curves and turns and try to be as close to the curb as possible as you go through the corners; remember, you must not step off the road onto the curb or sidewalk as that will be considered as cheating.
Looking forward to seeing you all on the finish line and celebrating your victory!
Good Luck!
Monday, December 29, 2008
BLOM Beirut Marathon 08
All you runners... great job... very proud of you...
had amazing feedback and a (very) few comments that we will take into consideration... the course for 09 is the same! so get ready...
Because the course is the same it will help tremendously in training and preparation... most of you will have notice that the first 10k has all the hils and that from the corner of the French Ambassador's residence onwards it is a gradual decent that leads you to the flat part which commences at 15km (beside Chevrolet Benzine station). what is important is to time yourself in your decent and not allow your pace to overrun you since there are still 27k to go...
We stacked the music and cheering into the marathon this year... so much so that we got a complaint that the 10k didnt have enough... but now way I will change that... we might add some more music for the 10k guys.. but for the marathon it makes it so much more fun...
this year's mission is to raise the awareness for people to come down and cheer the race on...
so, let me know what you thought and get ready for HSBC Vivicitta International Half Marathon - Run for the Environment.
cheers
had amazing feedback and a (very) few comments that we will take into consideration... the course for 09 is the same! so get ready...
Because the course is the same it will help tremendously in training and preparation... most of you will have notice that the first 10k has all the hils and that from the corner of the French Ambassador's residence onwards it is a gradual decent that leads you to the flat part which commences at 15km (beside Chevrolet Benzine station). what is important is to time yourself in your decent and not allow your pace to overrun you since there are still 27k to go...
We stacked the music and cheering into the marathon this year... so much so that we got a complaint that the 10k didnt have enough... but now way I will change that... we might add some more music for the 10k guys.. but for the marathon it makes it so much more fun...
this year's mission is to raise the awareness for people to come down and cheer the race on...
so, let me know what you thought and get ready for HSBC Vivicitta International Half Marathon - Run for the Environment.
cheers
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Run Against Cancer
With their strenght we run...
this is the message of the BLOM Beirut Marathon this year... we are running Against Cancer - to encourage, inspire those who have been touched in one way or another by the disease and on the other hand, to build awareness of the disease...
Monday, September 1, 2008
BLOM Beirut Marathon Update
The BLOM Beirut Marathon 08 will be held on 30th November 2008. For the first time in several years, the event will be held under peaceful circumstances. Lebanon’s politics are now on a new track and the safety of the country is improving by the day, as witnessed by countless tourist arrivals.
We want to remind you of our awesome event and encourage you to come and join us in a celebration of revival and renewal as we ring out a message of hope that things can be changed.
The Marathon attracts people from all over the world and is truly a cultural meeting point, and with over 18 million Lebanese living overseas almost every nation is represented, either by a national or a Lebanese emigrant. Race day is exciting, the marathon makes its way through West Beirut, then goes along the green line that once separated the two sides of the war, and then heads towards the North of Beirut along the seashore road, eventually ending up in the beautifully reconstructed downtown city center for celebrations and entertainment. There’s plenty to do during the lead up to the race, with sight-seeing trips to the Roman temples and the Jeita Grotto, as well as the opportunity to visit some of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world. There’s also the chance to get to meet and run with the elite athletes before race day and generally enjoy the thrill of the race.
On the same day, there is a fantastic annual 10km race that attracts in excess of 20,000 runners, together wtih a 5km race for children, which includes championships for under 18’s.
All the races are timed and there are plenty of give aways and goodies.
The Beirut Marathon Association welcomes accredited journalists and has very special support packages available for them – to secure your place contact: abdallah@beirutmarathon.org
Registration is on-line and is open. Deadline is November 15th.
Hope to see you there!
We want to remind you of our awesome event and encourage you to come and join us in a celebration of revival and renewal as we ring out a message of hope that things can be changed.
The Marathon attracts people from all over the world and is truly a cultural meeting point, and with over 18 million Lebanese living overseas almost every nation is represented, either by a national or a Lebanese emigrant. Race day is exciting, the marathon makes its way through West Beirut, then goes along the green line that once separated the two sides of the war, and then heads towards the North of Beirut along the seashore road, eventually ending up in the beautifully reconstructed downtown city center for celebrations and entertainment. There’s plenty to do during the lead up to the race, with sight-seeing trips to the Roman temples and the Jeita Grotto, as well as the opportunity to visit some of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world. There’s also the chance to get to meet and run with the elite athletes before race day and generally enjoy the thrill of the race.
On the same day, there is a fantastic annual 10km race that attracts in excess of 20,000 runners, together wtih a 5km race for children, which includes championships for under 18’s.
All the races are timed and there are plenty of give aways and goodies.
The Beirut Marathon Association welcomes accredited journalists and has very special support packages available for them – to secure your place contact: abdallah@beirutmarathon.org
Registration is on-line and is open. Deadline is November 15th.
Hope to see you there!
Saturday, May 24, 2008
HSBC Vivicitta
Run for Peace – HSBC Vivicitta – June 1st 2008
Beirut, Lebanon, has for many years been depicted as “the war ravaged city of the Middle East” where peace is but a dream. However, as of today, a new president has been elected and the political world has seen fit to agree upon a common plan of action for a stable and secure future, so with this chapter finally closed, Lebanon is set to make a different kind of history.
The Beirut Marathon Association (BMA) has for a long time faced monumental challenges, through times of war and assassinations and political unrest. to host events of international acclaim. In its five year history the event has seen some 167,000 participants join together to run, defying the forces that have worked against stability, laying claim to being the Middle East’s largest annual sporting athletic event.
The title of the race is given by UISP (Unione Italia Sport per Tutti) which since its inception 25 years ago in Sarajevo has been an international event whose aim has been to bring together people of all nations to run for peace. Now in its second year in Lebanon the event stands to make a statement for peace as the country takes its first steps into a new world.
HSBC Vivicitta will comprise two races, an International Half Marathon where international athletes are joining together in the race with Mare Dibaba (Female 1st Place Warsaw Half Marathon 08, PB 71:54) and Shitaye Gemechu (Female 4th Place Paris Marathon 08) taking the women’s field and men, DEREJE TADESSE GIRMA – ETHIOPIA (with an unofficial 61:50 time), and ALEMAYEHU SHUMYE TAFERE - ETHIOPIA (71 minute half in Ethiopia, making his first international appearance) the race is set to be a stiff competition. Lebanese champions are thrilled to be facing an international field of such a high caliber and with a prize purse of $15,000 the race is set to take its place in the world’s annual sporting calendar. The second event of the day will be a 5k Student’s Run for Peace which will count towards the Lebanese Championships.
The track takes the athletes on a tour of East and West Beirut, passing some of the most beautiful parts of the city, including running along the corniche, once famed to be the Monaco of the Middle East, before turning inland and passing along the ‘green line’ that once separated the two sides of a warring nation, before returning to the iconic reconstructed downtown central district of the now bustling and modern Beirut.
BMA President May El Khalil said “HSBC Vivicitta Run for Peace is unique and its timing perfect in celebrating a new peace in Lebanon, and in sending out a message of hope through sports. We want the world to see that through sports unity can be achieved, and we believe that this is a message to the world of the start of a new era. We hope that sports organizations and media across the globe will trumpet this initiative in support of a better world”.
HSBC CEO Charles Hall said, “We are proud to be associated with this event and have signed a four year partnership with the BMA because we believe in the professionalism of the organization and the aims of the race. It supports our global Corporate Social Responsibility values and we hope to see a worldwide impact for peace through this event”.
Beirut, Lebanon, has for many years been depicted as “the war ravaged city of the Middle East” where peace is but a dream. However, as of today, a new president has been elected and the political world has seen fit to agree upon a common plan of action for a stable and secure future, so with this chapter finally closed, Lebanon is set to make a different kind of history.
The Beirut Marathon Association (BMA) has for a long time faced monumental challenges, through times of war and assassinations and political unrest. to host events of international acclaim. In its five year history the event has seen some 167,000 participants join together to run, defying the forces that have worked against stability, laying claim to being the Middle East’s largest annual sporting athletic event.
The title of the race is given by UISP (Unione Italia Sport per Tutti) which since its inception 25 years ago in Sarajevo has been an international event whose aim has been to bring together people of all nations to run for peace. Now in its second year in Lebanon the event stands to make a statement for peace as the country takes its first steps into a new world.
HSBC Vivicitta will comprise two races, an International Half Marathon where international athletes are joining together in the race with Mare Dibaba (Female 1st Place Warsaw Half Marathon 08, PB 71:54) and Shitaye Gemechu (Female 4th Place Paris Marathon 08) taking the women’s field and men, DEREJE TADESSE GIRMA – ETHIOPIA (with an unofficial 61:50 time), and ALEMAYEHU SHUMYE TAFERE - ETHIOPIA (71 minute half in Ethiopia, making his first international appearance) the race is set to be a stiff competition. Lebanese champions are thrilled to be facing an international field of such a high caliber and with a prize purse of $15,000 the race is set to take its place in the world’s annual sporting calendar. The second event of the day will be a 5k Student’s Run for Peace which will count towards the Lebanese Championships.
The track takes the athletes on a tour of East and West Beirut, passing some of the most beautiful parts of the city, including running along the corniche, once famed to be the Monaco of the Middle East, before turning inland and passing along the ‘green line’ that once separated the two sides of a warring nation, before returning to the iconic reconstructed downtown central district of the now bustling and modern Beirut.
BMA President May El Khalil said “HSBC Vivicitta Run for Peace is unique and its timing perfect in celebrating a new peace in Lebanon, and in sending out a message of hope through sports. We want the world to see that through sports unity can be achieved, and we believe that this is a message to the world of the start of a new era. We hope that sports organizations and media across the globe will trumpet this initiative in support of a better world”.
HSBC CEO Charles Hall said, “We are proud to be associated with this event and have signed a four year partnership with the BMA because we believe in the professionalism of the organization and the aims of the race. It supports our global Corporate Social Responsibility values and we hope to see a worldwide impact for peace through this event”.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Maratona di Roma
Almost forgot to blog about my trip to Rome... well, it was a great experience and we were treated so well by everyone there... I ran 5:00 exactly, which was great... 16 minutes better than a year before... my friend said that if I keep on knocking off 16 minutes per marathon, with two per year I will be up to world record pace in a short time!!! just kidding!!!
My problem in running is food... I like it! and it likes me... what I eat stays with me...
The last 4k of Rome marathon were tough... they are generally uphill and on cobble stones and in crowded streets... Best moment was running past the Trevi fountain... it was really cool...
Great experience and nice medal... but once done... no need to come back again.
Upwards and onwards...
My problem in running is food... I like it! and it likes me... what I eat stays with me...
The last 4k of Rome marathon were tough... they are generally uphill and on cobble stones and in crowded streets... Best moment was running past the Trevi fountain... it was really cool...
Great experience and nice medal... but once done... no need to come back again.
Upwards and onwards...
Baalbeck 6k Run
Sunday is going to be a bigger challenge than the Rome Marathon... since coming home from that race i have managed to run twice, other than that, to eat a lot of food, and it is beginning to show...
With Baalbeck Race on Sunday being held by the RRA and Veteran's Clubs it looks to be a lot of fun running in the ancient ruins of the Roman Empire... So I shall try to stagger round in a time of less than the 48 minutes allocated!!!
Hope to see you all there...
Next Marathon for me is Warsaw... training starts on May 1st - Labor Day... auspicious!!!
:)
With Baalbeck Race on Sunday being held by the RRA and Veteran's Clubs it looks to be a lot of fun running in the ancient ruins of the Roman Empire... So I shall try to stagger round in a time of less than the 48 minutes allocated!!!
Hope to see you all there...
Next Marathon for me is Warsaw... training starts on May 1st - Labor Day... auspicious!!!
:)
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