Beirut Marathon

Course & Elevation

The Beirut Marathon is an annual road race in Lebanon's capital, organised by the non-profit Beirut Marathon Association. It was created by businesswoman May El-Khalil, and the first edition was held on 19 October 2003. The marathon is usually held in November, alongside a half marathon, a 10 km race, a 6 km fund run and a 2 km youth race. For 2026 the organisers introduced a new course in which all timed races start and finish at Martyrs' Square. The marathon starts on Weygand Street, heads to the waterfront and along the Corniche Ain El Mreisseh to the amusement park, then turns back past the American University of Beirut and the Four Seasons Hotel. It runs through Riad El Solh Square and the Gemmayzeh and Saifi districts, goes out along the coastal road towards Dbayeh Marina, returns through Bourj Hammoud and Mar Mikhael, and finishes at Martyrs' Square. Road closures on the marathon route are lifted 6 hours 30 minutes after the start, and cut-off times are set at checkpoints along the route. The race has had to be cancelled or moved several times: it did not take place in 2019 because of anti-government protests or in 2020 because of the pandemic, the 2024 edition was cancelled because of the conflict with Israel, and the 2025 edition was held on 1 May.