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In Pictures: ‘Right to Movement Marathon’

First-ever West Bank marathon attracted 650 runners and highlighted the Palestinian plight.

The "Right to Movement Marathon" is the first of its kind in the West Bank, and organisers hope it will raise awareness about the plight of Palestinians.
By Leyland Cecco
Published On 22 Apr 2013

Bethlehem, West Bank – Winding through the steep, narrow streets of Bethlehem in the West Bank, more than 650 runners braved the cold and rain as they tested their endurance in one of the oldest cities in the world. 

The Danish organisers of Sunday’s race, Laerke Hein and Signe Fischer, worked with their Palestinian counterparts to put together the run dubbed the “Right to Movement Marathon”.

Inspired by the UN declaration that all people have the “right to movement”, the race was meant to highlight both the affects of the Israeli occupation, as well as the plight of Palestinian women.

New Israeli settlements have become a focal point in the region in recent months, adding yet another issue to the growing list of Palestinian grievances with Israelis.  

Meanwhile, the Gaza Marathon was recently cancelled because the ruling party Hamas refused to allow women to run alongside men.

In a bid to raise awareness about the hardships of Palestinians, course designers created a route in which runners of the full marathon passed through the Ayda and Ad Dhaisha refugee camps, as well as by the infamous “security wall”.

Some young Palestinian runners turned to the Israeli guard tower and made obscene gestures as they passed, highlighting the deep tensions that exist in the area.

The winner of the men’s marathon was a Palestinian runner from Jericho, Abdel Nasser Awajna, who finished with a time of 3:09. Awajna was flanked by Palestinian youth as he crossed the finish line.

The winner of the women’s marathon was Palestinian Christine Gebler with a time of 3:38. She, too, received a hero’s welcome.

The evening prior to the run, race organisers and participants held a candlelight vigil in solidarity with the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing.
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The eventual marathon winner, Abdel Nasser Awajna (centre), leads a group stretch with Palestinian youth prior to the marathon.
A group of runners participating in the half and full marathon begin the initial descent. Organisers offered 42km, 21km, 10km and 5km options.
A runner passes by the Israeli West Bank barrier along the edge of Bethlehem. Erected by Israel in 2004 after the "Second Intifada", the wall has been condemned by the International Court of Justice.
A young girl ran the 5km course barefoot in the rain.
Israeli settlements are visible from the race course. The run was held in order to raise awareness in the international community of increasing encroachment.
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Runners pass through the United Nations maintained Ayda Refugee Camp, home to more than 3,600 refugees.
Runners from the United States, Canada, Sweden, Denmark and Norway converged on Bethlehem to show their support for the Palestinian cause.
In a bid to boost security in the area for the race, more than 200 soldiers lined the course.
Surrounded by ecstatic youth, an exhausted Abdel Nasser Awajna crosses the finish line. He was the winner of the first Palestine Marathon.
The winner of the full marathon, Abdel Nasser Awajna, is mobbed by a crowd at the finish line. Chants of "Palestine! Palestine!" erupted as he was hoisted onto the shoulders of fans.