- 03
- Mar
- 2024
Bryony Stein and Imad Jezzini Win the Rolling Half-Marathon
modified on 11 Apr. 2024 à 15:53 Read : 3 minute(s) A A A
The first edition of the international "Rolling Half Marathon" (21.1 km), organized jointly by the Beirut Marathon Association (BMA) and the Lebanese Athletics Federation, took place this Sunday in the North Lebanon region, in rather grumpy and rainy weather. No fewer than 800 male and female runners, of around ten different nationalities and representing various Lebanese athletics clubs (as well as the army), the ISF, the fire department, General Security, State Security and UNIFIL took part in this major sporting event.
A Popular Event
The half-marathon is a popular running event that has become increasingly popular in recent years. The race is 21.1 kilometers long, half the length of a marathon. It's a distance that requires perseverance, but remains accessible to most trained runners. It is not on the program of classic international athletics events such as the Olympic Games or the World Athletics Championships.
The half-marathon is therefore a popular event for experienced amateur athletes. It can be considered a good compromise between the 10-kilometer and the full marathon.
It's long enough to be a real challenge, but not as strenuous as a full marathon. It requires good physical and mental preparation, as well as a healthy, balanced diet.
Long enough to be a challenge, it doesn't require as much serious preparation as a marathon: muscle fatigue is less of a problem over 21.097 km, and the "30th-kilometer wall" caused by glycogen depletion doesn't occur. For amateurs, the half-marathon is run well below maximum aerobic speed (MAS) and below the anaerobic threshold. Thus, there's no shortness of breath and little lactic acid build-up in the muscles, as happens on shorter distances such as cross-country.
The half-marathon is an incredible experience that allows runners to surpass and discover themselves. It's a chance to meet other passionate runners and discover new places while getting some exercise.
The International Association of Athletics Federations has been organizing a world half-marathon championship since 1992, with the exception of 2006 and 2007, when it was replaced by the world road race championship over the neighboring distance of 20 km. It was then reinstated in 2008.
Performances and Records
On April 3, 1993, Kenya's Moses Tanui became the first athlete to run under an hour, clocking 59 min 47 s (Milan, 1993). On November 22, 2021, Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo clocked 57 min 31 s at the Lisbon Half Marathon, which is considered the world record.
For the first edition of the Rolling half-marathon, the organizers wanted to limit the number of athletes to less than 1,000 participants to take on the asphalt of North Lebanon. After a brief speech by May el-Khalil, President of the BMA, 800 male and female runners set off from Selaata (North Lebanon) towards Jbeil, passing through the villages of Batroun, Kfarabida, Monsef and Amchit.
In the women's category, victory went to Briton Bryony Stein, who took first place with flying colors. Imad Jezzini won the men's race.
Here are the standings:
Ladies:
1- Bryony Stein (Blue Stars)
2- Jennifer Tomazou (Inter-Lebanon)
3- Marie-Therese Murray (Inter-Lebanon)
Men:
1- Imad Jezzini (Antonins)
2- Omar Abou Hamad (Army)
3- Charbel Sejaan (Inter-Lebanon)
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