10 November 2010 - The Philippine Embassy in Lebanon reported that Embassy officers and staff led by Ambassador Gilberto G. B. Asuque, along with members of the Filipino community in Lebanon, participated in the 10-kilometer (km) fun run of the 2010 Beirut Marathon last November 7.
The fun run was held in support of nine charitable organizations. The Philippine participants joined some 28,000 people who registered for the 8th annual Beirut Marathon. Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri led a group of minister of parliament at the start of the fun run, which took the runners into a winding route along the Mediterranean coast and the Beirut business district.
A separate 42.5 km. full marathon was held along a northern route, which was won by an Ethiopian with a time of two hours, 16 minutes and 43 seconds.
By participating in the Beirut Marathon, the Philippine participants contributed to the fund-raising campaign of the Beirut Marathon Foundation for nine charitable organizations, including the SOS Children's Village, Paradis d'Enfants, Rotary International, Brave Heart Fund (Children's Heart Center), Cenacle de la Lumiere (Drug Rehab Center) and Animals Lebanon. END