Swifters Team (Dbayeh) made a memorable appearance at the Limassol Marathon in Cyprus, with 11 dedicated runners taking part in both the full (42 km) and the half marathon (21 km). Accompanied by Coach Marc Helou, this marked Lebanon‘s inaugural entry into the event, showcasing promising results in the youth category and instilling hope for future endeavors. Notably, 18-year-old Elio Zghaib embarked on his maiden marathon journey, clocking an impressive time of 3:49:23 hours, despite the arduous course, making his historic visit to Cyprus a remarkable achievement.
Coach Helou spearheaded the initiative, presenting the idea of participation to team members, who embraced it enthusiastically, representing Lebanon proudly under the Beirut Marathon Association and through the Dbayeh Team. The team’s involvement aligns with the 510 preparatory training program for the annual women’s race and the 542 preparatory program for the marathon, boasting a total of 168 runners dedicated to their craft.
The Lebanese contingent garnered admiration from fellow participants for their discipline and national pride, epitomized by the Lebanese flag adorning their team shirts, portraying a positive image of the nation abroad. Additionally, as preparations continue for the Internal Security Forces Half Marathon “Running for Humanity,” scheduled for Sunday, April 21, team members not partaking in the Limassol event remain committed to their training. Despite the cancellation of the women’s race by the Beirut Marathon Association this year, due to unforeseen circumstances, Coach Helou extends heartfelt gratitude to the association’s tireless team, led by Ms. May Khaleel, for their invaluable contributions to the organization of races and free training programs throughout the year.
Here are some exclusive images from the event:
Source: SpotLeb AI
