BETHLEHEM, May 8, 2026 (WAFA) – The 10th edition of the Palestine Marathon kicked off on Friday in Bethlehem, drawing thousands of local and international runners amid extensive organizational and security arrangements.

The race began at Manger Square and passed through several areas of the city, including Aida refugee camp alongside the separation wall, before continuing toward Dheisheh refugee camp and the town of al-Khader, then looping back to Manger Square according to the distance categories.

Organizers noted that the full marathon route of 42.195 kilometers requires runners to repeat sections of the course twice due to the absence of a continuous Palestinian route free of checkpoints or obstacles.

General coordinator Etedal Abdel Ghani said this year’s edition emphasizes Palestinian unity, with the Bethlehem event taking place simultaneously alongside a 5-kilometer marathon held in the Gaza Strip, stretching northward from Wadi Gaza Bridge.

She added that a virtual marathon was also organized worldwide between April 17 and 21, 2026, due to the ongoing war in the region, attracting more than 5,000 participants from 88 countries.

According to organizers, total participation across all events exceeded 13,000 runners, including 2,523 participants in Gaza and around 1,000 international runners representing 75 countries.
The marathon program includes a full marathon, a half marathon, a 10-kilometer race, and a 5-kilometer family run.

A team of 12 specialized judges is overseeing race monitoring and officiating, supported by an electronic tracking and arbitration room, while more than 100 volunteers from various institutions are assisting throughout the event. Eleven stations have also been set up along the routes to provide water, medical aid, and nutritional support for runners.

M.N