It's the season to be running in Lebanon. Last weekend, Elite Running Club organized the third annual
Naqoura Race, a 10 kilometer run, in the most southern part of Lebanon. So southern,
as a matter of fact, that as a foreigner you cannot get there without
permission of the army. Maybe they’re afraid you end up in Israel.
I am not a
runner, but the housekeeper is (Aregu Sisay Abate), and since she had to run, I
decided to drive her. I will not say “no” to a trip to the south. Some 500
runners thought the same thing.
Unifil soldiers organize the security |
I love the very
southern part of Lebanon, because, due to conflict and occupation, this region
is rather undeveloped compared to other regions of the country. You can
actually see the sea as you drive by the coast line; the view is not blocked by
high rise and heavy industries. Beach operators have not claimed the entire
coastline, and you can go in bikini to the public beach.
Aregu on her way to first place |
One time, some years ago, I had a party in Naqoura, the
last town before the border with Israel. And it was very stormy that night, there
was no electricity, and road signs were absent. I came from Beirut, and I drove
and I drove and I drove, and I had no clue where I was exactly. No towns in
sight, nothing. And as I turn around this cliff, suddenly this entire town
lights up right in front of me. And I remember this moment of instant
confusion; “they have electricity here?” And “that’s a pretty big town.” I thought I was driving right into Israel. Turns out it was the UNIFIL Headquarters.
Happy Aregu, happy trainer |
Slowly but surely, the runners’ culture is growing in
Lebanon. Although still a sport most popular by the relatively affluent in town,
bit by bit it is gaining ground, to be hopefully embraced by all, because it is
a sport that is healthy, does not pollute the environment (unless you have to
drive to races), doesn’t cost much and could be, potentially, done anywhere.
I have said it before; the runners’ world in Lebanon is
quite unusual in the sense that race, gender or religion doesn’t seem to be of
any importance. And running, it seems, is quite beneficial to your social life
as well!
Aregu's club waiting for the prize ceremony |
'Aside from the benefits coming from the more obvious
physical aspects of running, the social elements should not be overlooked. By
training for a race of some sort, or simply taking up running as a hobby, you
have already joined a “community” – perhaps without knowing. (. . . ) By
maintaining friendships within your own local “running community,” you’ll
quickly expand your social circle in the process'. (Source)
Not one, but two cups! |
In case you wonder, Aregu Sisay won, in 39 minutes and
something. All this promotion, by the
way, is done by a non-runner. I do not run. I was never into running, but I see
so many people run, many of them my age and much older, that it slowly starts
to rub on to me. Maybe I should.
1 comment:
Lovely story. Made me want to run and eat oranges at the same time. Congrats to Aregu the champion.
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