- 12:30
Race director at the Beirut Marathon Association, Ehrabi Nael completed the New York City Marathon on Sunday in 3 hours, 29 minutes, 20 seconds—a time that earned him the sixth and final star of the prestigious Abbott World Marathon Majors series. He is only the fourth Lebanese to achieve this feat.
The finish line in Central Park carried a sense of accomplishment. With his 3:29:20 performance in New York, Nael—the Beirut Marathon’s race director—sealed his sixth Major: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York—six temples of road running where marathon legends are made. He now joins the very select circle of Lebanese runners—only four to date—to complete the international “Grand Slam” of marathon running.
More than just a time, this was a triumph of mental endurance. Behind Nael the runner stands Nael the builder—balancing a demanding training schedule with his strategic role in organizing the Beirut Marathon. Meetings, logistics, and course design on one side; long runs, recovery, and discipline on the other—a true daily tightrope act. “Running taught me patience, humility, and commitment,” he said minutes after finishing. “Crossing the line in New York isn’t the end—it’s the culmination of years of work, perseverance, and faith. Carrying the Lebanese flag at every stage was an honor.”
Beyond personal achievement, his success carries collective meaning. As race director, Nael has helped elevate the Beirut Marathon to international standing, blending technical excellence, cultural diversity, and social impact. Under his guidance, the slogan “Run for a Cause” has taken on powerful significance—inspiring nearly 100,000 participants over the years, from the city’s seafront to its resilient neighborhoods.
May El-Khalil, founder and president of the Beirut Marathon Association, praised his achievement: “On behalf of the BMA, we extend our warmest congratulations to Ehrabi. His dedication, consistency, and passion are inspiring. He embodies the energy that reminds us Lebanon—even in difficult times—can keep running, moving forward, and looking ahead.”
In the final photo, medal around his neck, his face still lit with effort and pride, Ehrabi Nael had done more than finish a race—he had drawn a new horizon for his country.
Comments