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Palestine Marathon unites the West Bank and Gaza - Canary
18 hours ago ... The Palestine Marathon unites the West Bank and Gaza under the slogan “We Run for Freedom” ... separation wall, refugee camps and historic towns in the ...
Freed Palestinian Runner Mohamad Al-Assi Completes West Bank Marathon ...
Thousands of runners participated in a marathon in the occupied West Bank on Friday, including Mohamad Al-Assi, a Palestinian runner recently released from Israeli detention. The event, known as the Palestine Marathon, was held for the first time in three years and marked a significant turning point for Al-Assi, 27, who was freed six months ago after more than two-and-a-half years in prison.Running Through BarriersAl-Assi ran beneath the concrete wall separating Israel from the West Bank as the sun rose over Bethlehem. The marathon route looped around a circuit twice to avoid checkpoints and military gates that are ubiquitous in the region. Organizers highlighted that while marathon runners elsewhere may 'hit a wall' from physical strain, in the West Bank, 'runners literally hit the Wall.'The race, which also included a shorter event in Gaza, drew participants from around the world running in solidarity with Palestinians. It was among the first major international events in the West Bank since the Israel-Hamas war began, as festivals and conferences have been scaled back due to the conflict and Israeli restrictions. — Training Amid ChallengesAl-Assi began training in December, gradually increasing his mileage from 62 miles in his first month to 135 miles in April. He jogs in the morning in the Dheisheh refugee camp, where he lives with his mother. However, military operations in the camp forced him to suspend training several times. 'I would return home feeling hopeless because I couldn't do what I had intended to do,' he said.Running in the West Bank presents unique difficulties, including blocked roads and the presence of Israeli security forces. Al-Assi noted that cars and military checkpoints are constant obstacles.A Celebratory AtmosphereDespite the challenges, the atmosphere in Bethlehem was celebratory. Crowds gathered near the Church of the Nativity to cheer runners, while bagpipes and drums filled the streets. In Gaza, a 5K race saw participation from thousands, including 15 disabled individuals and amputees. Haya Alnaji, a 22-year-old woman who ran in Gaza, said the event showed that Palestinians are determined to persevere despite the war's devastation.Rebuilding Body and SpiritAl-Assi was arrested in April 2023 and held under administrative detention, a system that allows Israel to detain individuals without charge for months. He was later sentenced for transferring money to suspicious entities, a charge he denies. In prison, inadequate diets l...
Marathon marks a turning point for a Palestinian runner released ...
14 hours ago ... The road along the barrier separating Israel from the occupied West Bank ... Runners can dream of freedom in the West Bank city of Bethlehem. (AP Photo ...
Marathon marks a turning point for a Palestinian runner released from ...
Palestinian Mohamad Al-Assi, who was released from Israeli detention six months ago, runs past Israel's separation wall as he trains ahead of the Palestine Marathon in the West Bank city of ...
