UN agency holds Gaza’s first-ever marathon
May 6th, 2011 - 5:30 am ICT by IANSGaza, May 6 (IANS) About 1,500 professional and amateur runners took part in the first-ever Gaza Marathon in a bid to raise fund for a UN agency that helps Palestinian refugees, Xinhua reported.
The marathon kicked off from the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun.
The UN Relief and Works Agency was aiming to raise $100,000 through this event for the Summer Games it conducts every year.
The UNRWA Summer Games is a large-scale recreational programme for the children of Gaza. Over 250,000 kids take part every year.
Hamas police escorted the foreign runners who participated in the marathon Thursday.
Palestinian athlete Nader al-Masri, who had taken part in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, won the full-length race.
“It was a great race and my thanks go to the organisers of the event. This is the first marathon to be held in Palestine. I dedicate my victory to the Palestinian people,” al-Masri said.
- UN, Hamas compete over summer camps for Gaza children - Jun 18, 2010
- 15 injured in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza - May 26, 2010
- Two killed in Israeli strike against Gaza - Jul 22, 2010
- UAE donates 700 tonnes of aid to Gaza - May 28, 2010
- Hamas hails decision to permanently open Rafah border crossing - May 27, 2011
- Israel restricts schools' construction in Gaza - Oct 24, 2010
- UAE pledges $1 mn for Palestine refugees - Dec 08, 2010
- UAE charity distributes food in Palestine - Aug 06, 2011
- Three Palestinians killed in Gaza Strip - Sep 13, 2010
- Palestinians organise local marathon to reject Israeli one - Mar 19, 2012
- United States to make additional $55 million contribution for Palestinian refugees - Mar 13, 2010
- U.S. to aid West Bank and Gaza with $400 million initiatives - Jun 10, 2010
- Dozens of Palestinians wounded in clashes with Israeli soldiers - Mar 31, 2012
- Abbas to submit UN bid after General Assembly address - Sep 23, 2011
- India urges Israel, Palestine to resume direct talks - Dec 15, 2011
Tags: 2008 beijing olympics, al masri, athlete, beit hanoun, first marathon, full length, gaza strip, hamas, nader, northern gaza, olympics, organisers, palestine, palestinian refugees, runners, summer games, un agency, victory, xinhua