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Beirut International Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Beirut International Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.9 
Organization 4.2 
Spectators 3.5
Number of comments: 34 [displaying comments 11 to 21]
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J. S. from Beirut
(11/18/2007)
 "one word, dehydration." (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Beirut International Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 I had great expectations of this marathon, and I am dissappointed to say that I had the worst running experience of my life. The main reason for this is that all of the water stations and gatorade stations were closed after we hit the 22 km mark, leaving us to scrounge for any source of hydration for the next 20 km. It was an unseasonable warm day, and the organizers should have been prepared. You should never leave your runners out to fend for themselves, especially when you promise them adequate hydration. Most people just gave up because they couldn't take it anymore. I will more than likely never run this race again, which is sad for me because I enjoy running marathons and want to support this city. Really, this is a 10k event only, catering only to elite marathon runners and the 10 k Fun-Runners, and should no longer be marketed as a full marathon event | |
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s. s. from New York
(7/10/2007)
 "Fantastic race, inspiring organization effort" (about: 2006)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Beirut International Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Lovely city, lovely people, and a truly awesome organizational effort by the BMA resulted in a memorable race. Great expo: dancing fire-eater, matchstick replica of the Titanic, awesome food. A little hilly; would-be spectators were low on quantity but high on quality due to simultaneous 10K and family events. Lovely tour of a city working hard to come together in times of trouble. Don't miss it!!!! | |
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Valerie Fagerholt-Dragatsis from Beirut, Lebanon
(3/5/2007)
"A great run in the name of peace" (about: 2004)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Beirut International Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It was a great run, which is so important in this city, often depicted in the media only in a negative way (because of the political situation). The sport is so important and can give a very positive image of a country, which Lebanon needs. Being a Dane in this country, I truly hope more major sports events will take place, along with further running events for various causes. Hopefully the US can give inspiration for Lebanon; you have so many great sports events. I hope I will run this year's marathon in Beirut, as the last couple of years I have been unable due to pregnancy, etc. | |
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Dan Murphy from London, England
(9/15/2006)
 "AMAZING place for my very first marathon" (about: 2005)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Beirut International Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 OK, admittedly I don't have any other marathons to compare it to, so the fact that it was my first made it extra special. Beirut is a vibrant, buzzing and amazing city full of incredibly friendly people. The number of international entrants (and local entrants) was fairly low, therefore me and my fellow British running partner received a warm welcome from the organizers personally and also got interviewed for a variety of Middle Eastern TV channels, which was great fun. The race itself was fairly tough. The first 10K are run alongside the Fun Run, so there's lots of entertainment and cheering. Then after that, the crowds fade away a bit and there are some long stints where you're pounding the streets alone on the outskirts of Beirut. However, overall, the route is very good and you get to see a variety of different neighborhoods and cool landmarks. Also, everything is well organized so there were drinks and fruit stops every 5K or so to keep you going. HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!!! | |
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O. P. from London England
(2/5/2006)
"A Great Place for my 99th Marathon" (about: 2005)
50+ previous marathons
| 1 Beirut International Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Though I gave only 3 stars for spectators, Beirut was a big, eye-opening surprise for me, as the locals were so nice and friendly and helpful. I went to Beirut planning to hide away until run day, but it really was a safe and great place. I will take my wife there next time. | |
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Gilbert Sopakuwa from Zoetermeer, Netherlands
(11/15/2005)
"Beautiful and very well organized marathon" (about: 2005)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Beirut International Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I ran the 2005 (3rd) edition and had a fantastic time running this marathon. With no more than 400 participants, starting 5 min earlier than the 10k and big wide car-free concrete streets you have a clear road right from the start to run on your own pace. A lot of good water- and fruit stations on a beautiful course. The last 100 meters are a bit too steep for a marathon in my opinion. Organization and expo was very good and a lot of dancers, flags, music, balloons (the first 10k) and inspirational banners throughout the course make it very entertaining. Some parts of the marathon had a lot a spectators, some none. The main event, that got the most attention, is the 10k, not the marathon! Nevertheless I had a great run and can recommend this warm and hilly marathon. | |
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C. O. from Belfast
(11/15/2005)
 "Dont bother " (about: 2005)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Beirut International Marathon
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 Overseas entrant and this was my second marathon and not an enjoyable experience, partly my fault and partly because of the poor organisation: 1.There was NO SPORTS DRINKS PROVIDED, can you belived it. 2. This is really a 10k race and the Marathon apperas to be an inconvenience to the organisers, only a few hundred entrants to the marathon and a lonely course. 3. Hot damn hot on route and Hills damn hills but this was my fault as I didnt put in enough hill work, so be warned its hilly hilly hilly. 4. Expensive city but I wish them all the best for the future as I know they have problems. ONCE AGAIN.... NO SPORTS DRINK ALTHOUGH THEY SAID THEY WOULD PROVIDE (GATORADE) ON THE WEB SITE AND IN PRE RACE PACK,as you can tell in still in shock over this AND FOR THIS REASON ALONE I SAY DON'T BOTHER WITH THIS EVENT | |
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D. Z. from Miami, FL, USA
(7/6/2005)
 "The best running experience in the Middle East!" (about: 2003)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Beirut International Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I'm a native Lebanese born and raised in the states. I have been involved in national (USA) cross country races and marathons for almost 12 years and know my way around the events. I used the Beirut Marathon as an excuse to see Lebanon for the first time and thought the experience to be amazing. The fans and the course were amazing and the scenery breathtaking, but the organization was slightly off at the beginning (it was all straightened out before the race started). For such a new race, it has potential to grow beyond international standards within the next few years! | |
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R. B. from Beirut, Lebanon
(10/19/2004)
"Still a long way to heaven" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 2 Beirut International Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 Catastrophic start, 3 minutes earlier than announced, no Champion Chip carpet at the start line, no other Champion Chip carpet during the course, no split time, no indication of distance run, and no 1/2 marathon signaling. 650 marathoners were squeezed between 8,000 10K runners/walkers for more than 20 minutes, thus affecting their nerves and performance. Even elite runners came from behind the 10K participants. The only positive part was the water/food stations. Organizers should lift this event to higher standard if they wish to ensure its perpetuity. | |
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J. B. from Beirut, Lebanon
(10/10/2004)
"Well done Beirut, 2nd year round!!" (about: 2004)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 Having lived in Lebanon for many years, I know how easy it is for all kinds of things to go wrong in organizing anything. I was therefore very, very impressed with the smoothness with which this event took place and thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the 10 Km 'fun run'. |
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