Gaza gets its own marathon in Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ effort to promote recreation

8 April 2011 – Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ agency assisting Palestinian refugees will stage the first-ever  in Gaza next month as part of its annual efforts to provide residents of the Strip with recreational opportunities.

The Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA Gaza Marathon will span the length of Gaza, from Beit Hanoun to Rafah, with children running in relay teams and adults running either the full 42.195-kilometre route or a half marathon or 10-kilometre race.

The event will take place on 5 May, and professional Gazan athletes training for the Olympics will be encouraged to take part, Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA reported in a press release issued this week.

Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA is holding the marathon to raise funds for its annual Summer Games, where activities ranging from sports to drama and arts and crafts will be staged to provide a psychological relief for Gaza’s younger residents.

An estimated 250,000 children took part in last year’s edition, where local children broke two world records – one for the most basketballs bounced simultaneously and another for the most kites flown simultaneously.

Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA is encouraging the public, through its website, to sponsor marathon participants and raise funds for the Summer Games programme.