Palestine Marathon returns
Thousands joined races in Bethlehem and Gaza
Thousands of runners took part in the 10th Palestine Marathon, held in Bethlehem alongside a parallel race in the Gaza Strip after a two-year pause linked to the Gaza war. Organisers said participation topped 13,000 overall, including 2,523 in Gaza and about 1,000 international entrants. The event carried the theme “Right to Movement,” underscoring demands for Palestinians’ freedom to travel between cities amid long-standing and recently intensified barriers such as walls and checkpoints.
The return of the marathon was framed as both a sporting event and a statement of resilience: participants ranged from elite athletes to recreational runners and students, and spectators lined the streets in scenes organisers described as a rare moment of public normalcy after years of disruption. Security and logistics were heightened to protect competitors and crowds as the route weaved through Bethlehem, the traditional birthplace of Jesus, and linked to a sister race in Gaza.
Organisers and runners emphasized the race’s symbolic purpose—raising international visibility for Palestinian sport and drawing attention to mobility restrictions affecting nearly three million West Bank residents. Many said the proliferation of closures and checkpoints since the Gaza conflict began has left towns and villages effectively besieged, making the marathon’s message of movement and connection particularly resonant.
Beyond symbolism, the event signals efforts to restore cultural and community life curtailed by conflict: reviving athletics, social gatherings and international exchange. Observers noted that while the marathon is athletic in nature, it also functions as a form of peaceful protest and solidarity, with organisers expressing hope that continued public events will help rebuild civic space and sustain global awareness of Palestinian daily realities.
