Thousands of runners participated in a marathon in the occupied West Bank on Friday, including Mohamad Al-Assi, a Palestinian runner recently released from Israeli detention. The event, known as the Palestine Marathon, was held for the first time in three years and marked a significant turning point for Al-Assi, 27, who was freed six months ago after more than two-and-a-half years in prison.
Running Through Barriers
Al-Assi ran beneath the concrete wall separating Israel from the West Bank as the sun rose over Bethlehem. The marathon route looped around a circuit twice to avoid checkpoints and military gates that are ubiquitous in the region. Organizers highlighted that while marathon runners elsewhere may 'hit a wall' from physical strain, in the West Bank, 'runners literally hit the Wall.'
The race, which also included a shorter event in Gaza, drew participants from around the world running in solidarity with Palestinians. It was among the first major international events in the West Bank since the Israel-Hamas war began, as festivals and conferences have been scaled back due to the conflict and Israeli restrictions.
Training Amid Challenges
Al-Assi began training in December, gradually increasing his mileage from 62 miles in his first month to 135 miles in April. He jogs in the morning in the Dheisheh refugee camp, where he lives with his mother. However, military operations in the camp forced him to suspend training several times. 'I would return home feeling hopeless because I couldn't do what I had intended to do,' he said.
Running in the West Bank presents unique difficulties, including blocked roads and the presence of Israeli security forces. Al-Assi noted that cars and military checkpoints are constant obstacles.
A Celebratory Atmosphere
Despite the challenges, the atmosphere in Bethlehem was celebratory. Crowds gathered near the Church of the Nativity to cheer runners, while bagpipes and drums filled the streets. In Gaza, a 5K race saw participation from thousands, including 15 disabled individuals and amputees. Haya Alnaji, a 22-year-old woman who ran in Gaza, said the event showed that Palestinians are determined to persevere despite the war's devastation.
Rebuilding Body and Spirit
Al-Assi was arrested in April 2023 and held under administrative detention, a system that allows Israel to detain individuals without charge for months. He was later sentenced for transferring money to suspicious entities, a charge he denies. In prison, inadequate diets led to significant weight loss, eroding the endurance he had built over 10 years of training. 'I have more muscle mass than fat, so when I lost weight, the loss came from my muscles rather than fat,' he explained.
Mentally, Al-Assi struggled after his release. 'I was emotionally shattered after spending such a long period in prison,' he said. On Friday, he finished second overall, collapsing to his knees in gratitude. He dedicated his run to Palestinians still in Israeli detention, shouting through tears, 'After 32 months in prison, Mohamad Al-Assi is first in his class!'
