Cairenes were up early on Friday the 17th of April to take part in the city’s third anticipated annual half marathon event.
The race, organised by pioneering local running community, Cairo Runners, took place in the Heliopolis district of Cairo.
Mohamed Seif, Cairo Runners media manager, said that there were even more entrants than the 6,000 who had initially registered.
The brisk early hours of the morning saw excitement build as numbers gradually increased. The streets of Heliopolis were literally pounding with the rhythm of drums played by youth members of Abo El Hol Scouts, who played their drums to boost the enthusiasm of the crowds.
The event did not disappoint, with participants hailing its success and the spirit that prevailed.
Marwa Assal, HR consultant and Life Coach, who came along with a number of friends, said that the spirit is something to be proud of, "The awareness of youth towards sports is just amazing," she told Ahram Online.
Mohamed El Sawy, founder of El Sawy Cultural Wheel Center echoed the same sentiment, saying that he regards the event as the absolute best that happens each year in Egypt in the field of fitness. "To see thousands joining each year is a joy and source of pride,' he told Ahram Online.
Mohamed, another running enthusiast, was not able to participate on Friday because of a knee ligament injury, but came on crutches to join the crowds and cheer. “I registered to take part before the injury took place, but still, I wouldn’t miss the excitement and positive atmosphere for the world,” he said.
Warm ups in front of the stage saw adrenaline pumping through the crowds, before the races took off. Men and women of all ages and different backgrounds could be spotted pounding the track.
There were three options for runners to choose from: the 21km half marathon, a 7km race, and a 1km family run.
A number of sporting and charity initiatives were manning booths around the half-marathon route.
Similar to previous years, participants were provided with food and beverage, with a variety of different vendors. What came as a first was the fact that entertainment was spread all along the track.
There were underground bands and cultural performances to entertain runners throughout the 21K circuit, and for the 1K family run, children's entertainment with jugglers, clowns and more were a fun spectacle.
As the three runs came to an end, participants gathered near the main stage erected near the finish line, where they were treated to a number of shows, including one display of free style football, by Egyptian performer Yorok. Then they were also able to listen to the live tunes of World Music Band.
Jubilant runners who made it across the finishing line were happy to receive a certificate from the event’s organisers. Special prizes were also handed out by Ibrahim Safwat, founder of Cairo Runners, to the foremost regular participants in the weekly Friday runs. Special appreciation was also given to those above the age of 40 and of course to the first to arrive at the finish line.
Another local celebrity to delight the crowds was Galal Zekri-Chatila, a young Egyptian cycling adventurer, who concluded his unprecedented cycling tour after the half marathon.
Galal embarked on his 'Egypt on Two Wheels' journey on 22 November after extensive planning, expecting to cover a distance of 7,000km in four months, which was interrupted by a one-month-delay in Siwa oasis
Accompanied by his loyal companion, Sophia the Bike, he took off to witness and showcases the hidden marvels of Egypt and the goodwill of its people.
Before he rose to the cheering crowds in front of the stage, Ahram Online caught up with the young adventurer, who said: "I have seen wonders in Egypt, and I feel that I have realised a dream, but it's still not the end, more adventures to come!"
After prizes were awarded, the event closed with a performance of local soft –rock band, Wust El Balad.
Salma Shahin, the social media representative of the marathon told Ahram Online that half of the proceeds of the tickets sold will benefit the Abbasiya Fever Hospital, in partnership with the ministry of youth and the governorate of Cairo. The other half of the proceeds will go towards supporting a charity of the runners' choice, she said.
This will be selected through a crowd funding website, where participants can enter their race number and the charity they wish to support, a technique that is happening for the first time. Voting will start after the 17th.
Cairo Runners is the leading running community in Egypt, and was one of the earliest pioneers in encouraging Egyptians to adopt a healthier, more energetic lifestyle, taking to the streets for early runs each Friday, and choosing different locations throughout the capital each time.
At the beginning of the initiative, the participants were around only 70, but Cairo Runners takes pride in their expansion, with the number of runners increasing with the success of each event.
Cairo Runners outreach has topped 318,000 on Facebook, the number of their followers on Twitter is above 14,400, and on Instagram they have 16,900 followers. The average numbers of runners per week is around 3,000.
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