Location: Lebanon
Who: Founder of the Beirut Marathon
It has been said out of adversity comes opportunity and May El Khalil, founder of the Beirut Marathon, is a striking example of this. El Khalil had always run, both in her native Beirut and while living for 23 years in Lagos, Nigeria. But one cold, rainy day in November 1999, she was training and running alongside the road, when next thing she knew she was smashed from her feet by a speeding car. What followed was a long three-year recovery and the inspiration for the Beirut Marathon.
So it was from your hospital bed that the idea for the Beirut Marathon came?
In the intensive care unit the doctors could not guarantee that I would walk again and I told my husband that if I won’t be able to run I would at least like to see people running. If I can’t participate myself in international marathons, or the dream of running along the borders of Lebanon then I would like to bring the world to Lebanon.
What were the challenges you faced in your recovery?
That objective gave me the strength to fight and overcome 36 surgeries in two years. But if it wasn’t for my training, I don’t think my body would have taken this entire trauma. It is my belief that we invest in our bodies; it is like putting money in a bank, you never know when you are going to need it. During those two years I never lost hope, I have accepted the accident. And I have been completely focused on this marathon.
What were the challenges in setting up the marathon?
It was launched on 2003, and at the time we needed to alter the sporting culture of Lebanon. I went around campaigning like a politician: I talked to people and I shared my passion and it brought together 6,000 people from 49 different countries.
What struck you most when campaigning?
It became a melting pot that brought people together from all walks of life, every religion, every political party, every race, young and old, male and female. If you look at other marathons in the world you see that they do them for the sake of sports, but this marathon became a national event, it became a platform to bring people together.
More and more people enter every year do they not?
Last year 32,000 people participated in the three races: the 42-kilometre, 10-kilometre and the 5-kilometre. It has become something of a carnival.
How has it all evolved?
In March 2009 we had an extreme ultra marathon, a 111-kilometre race from Damascus to Beirut; it was no joke, an overnight trek. Eleven people took the challenge. We are planning more mini marathons all over the country. The most promising program is YEAP, The Young Elite Athlete Program, where we are investing in youth. We go around schools and find the elite runners from 9-16-years-old. We develop their talent, and prepare them for the Olympics, hopefully 2020. We’re doing this with the hope of putting Lebanon on the international map through running: we run for the love of Lebanon.
On November 7th 2010, the 8th Blom Beirut Marathon will take place, visit www.beirutmarathon.org for more information.
