From Boston’s historic course to London’s packed streets, Beirut’s marathon organisers are studying and contributing to the world’s biggest races.
Learning from the Oldest Marathon
The Beirut Marathon Association continued its programme of international engagement through periodic delegations to major world races. Race director Irabi Nael participated in the 128th Boston Marathon, the oldest continuously run marathon in the world, which drew around 35,000 runners from across the globe. He not only ran but also volunteered for a full day at the race expo, gaining insight into logistics, runner services, and community engagement at scale.
Serving Runners in London
Nael also headed to the London Marathon, again running the race and assisting participants aiming to finish under four hours. In London he was joined by Beirut Marathon operations manager Francoise Nehme, further deepening the association’s exposure to best practices in course management, crowd handling, and technical operations.
Technical Cooperation for Beirut 2024
On the sidelines of the London Marathon, Nael and Nehme met with a representative of the race’s organising committee to discuss technical support for the Beirut Marathon scheduled for 10 November. Plans include sending a specialised team to Beirut to assist with race-day operations—another step towards aligning Lebanon’s flagship running event with international standards.
For Beirut’s running community, these exchanges promise not only a better-organised marathon but a stronger link between the city and the global road-running calendar.
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