Bethlehem Marathon Draws Thousands as War Shadows Gaza

The tenth Palestine International Marathon kicked off at dawn Friday in Bethlehem, with thousands of runners gathering at the Church of the Nativity for a 42-kilometer race that stretched through the occupied West Bank city. A parallel event was held in Gaza, marking the first time in two years the race has been run there since Israel’s military campaign began.

Organizers said this year’s edition carried a theme of national unity, with simultaneous races on both sides of Israel’s separation barrier. In Gaza, a separate 5-kilometer run started at Wadi Gaza Bridge and headed north. A virtual marathon held in 88 countries drew more than 5,000 participants, bringing the total number of runners worldwide to over 13,000. That included 2,523 in Gaza and about 1,000 international participants from 75 countries.

The event offered a full marathon, a half marathon, a 10-kilometer race, and a 5-kilometer family run, attracting professional athletes, amateurs, and families alike. It was organized by the Palestinian Higher Council for Youth and Sports, the Palestinian Olympic Committee, and Bethlehem Municipality.

This year’s race took place against a backdrop of ongoing Israeli attacks in Gaza, despite a declared ceasefire, and a surge in violence across the West Bank since October 2023. Palestinian officials report at least 1,155 Palestinians killed and nearly 11,750 wounded in the West Bank, with 22,000 arrests. In Gaza, local authorities say more than 72,000 people have been killed and over 172,000 injured.

As runners wound through Bethlehem’s streets, passing checkpoints and the separation wall, many carried Palestinian flags or wore keffiyehs. For participants, the marathon was as much a statement of peaceful defiance and solidarity with Gaza as it was a race.