At the start line. The Ethiopians in the front will sweep the field |
Yet another
race, a half marathon this time, in Tripoli. For the ignorant among you, that’s
21 point something kilometers. The running season in Lebanon will soon enter
its summer stop, so you’ll have to bare with me just a few more weeks. You
might get the impression – if you’re an infrequent visitor – that I am an avid
runner. Alas, no. But I am an avid supporter, which counts for something, no?
Mind the two different shoes on the third person on the right; one foot fits one kind, the other foot prefers another. |
I had high hopes for Aregu Sisay, our housekeeper. Pretty sure she was going to win this one. That was until I saw that the organization has bussed in some heavy duty Ethiopians; professional runners, who travel all over the world from event to event, making a living from running.
Well, that was the end of that podium position.
Doesn’t
matter, she came in first in the Lebanese league. No podium position there
either, as she doesn’t have the Lebanese nationality. But she clocked a pretty
good time, she thought. That was of course until she spoke to the coach of the
Ethiopian professionals.
“What was
your time,” he asked interested.
“One hour and
30 minutes,” Aregu answered with a smile.
“Oh,” he
replied with a frown, “well, keep practicing then.”
His first
woman came in at a mere 1:14.
Tripoli was in a festive mood. The only females in shorts were the ones that were running. (I will probably get a nasty comment over this one). They’d brought out the music, and the kaak sellers, the clowns, and lots of other things to entertain the crowds.
Aregu
initially did not really want to run in
Tripoli.
“There’s Daash there and they killed a christian man from Bangladesh and an Ethiopian last week,” she said.
“There’s Daash there and they killed a christian man from Bangladesh and an Ethiopian last week,” she said.
“Where do you
hear these things?” I asked. She cannot read English nor Arabic.
“On Facebook.
The Ethiopians were warning each other on Facebook.”
I wonder if
Zuckerman, when he started Facebook, had any idea that his vision to connect a
few university students would enable an entire migrant community to send each
other warning signals in case of danger.
"Selfie selfie on a stick, who's got the fairest profile pic?" |
One of Niemeyer's projects |
Commissioned
in 1965 by the then Lebanese government to build an international fairground,
the world renowned architect designed something on a grand scale. ‘His ambitious plan for Tripoli proposed a new city
quarter including zones for commerce, sports, entertainment, and housing, with
the fair at its centre.’ (Source)
The war in 1975 ended those plans, and the partially completed complex was never inaugurated. Even now, some 50 years after the start, the place still feels futuristic, partially because nothing has been changed or added over the years; it is exactly as it was planned to look like.
Red Cross was all ready to roll |
A seriously overweight clown |
“I just run on Sundays,” he said, but he’s run some 212 marathons in his life! Or was it 112? I forgot, but does it matter, it’s an incredible feat either way. I mentioned that I was impressed, but he pointed out some other runners.
“That guy, he’s a Lebanese living in Dubai, he’s 67, and just ran 21 k in 1:37. That’s fast, even for a young guy.” A gentleman facing us, well into his 60’s, if not older, runs every event in Lebanon. Ali Makki, who’s over 50, ran it in 1:25 and there are countless other Lebanese, no young guns, who run 21 k with ease. And most of them didn’t start until they were 40. All these people are getting me interesting in writing longreads again.
No party is complete without the balloon man |
Chilling after the race |
2 comments:
Hello!
Nice to read a blog article about Tripoli from time to time, even though it was about a marathon. Lebanon is not always Beirut, and Tripoli has a beautiful authentic oriental side that the capital has lost long ago. I would definitely recommend a tour in the old city with one of the best guide: Mira. And maybe another post ;)
Groetjes van Vlanderen!
Leila
When I went to Tripoli in the early seventies, I thought it was a nice historic city with a
good atmosphere and a lot of potential. Like other places in Lebanon thins get worse not better. The sad thing may Lebanese do not want to take charge and fix their country, waiting for the US Iran agreement, Saudi Iran, Syria war to end ..... Maybe when the French come back they will fix it. Very sad for this country that has so much talent and potential, more sad that so many Lebanese feel it is no longer livable, I am one of them.
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