As I sat and watched marathons past and present and listened to various commentators, expunging various notions and theories on the organization of a marathon, the enormity of the event somehow seemed overwhelming. It did however soon become evident, as I watched the runners set off on the first of their twenty-six miles that the sheer excitement and trepidation could be felt, even as far away as Beirut! I realized that this is an event that we can do, it's an event that we will do and in these days of political instability, it's an event we should do!

Now, over 100 years after the marathon was first conceived as a race for the 1896 Olympics, Beirut is about to witness its very own Marathon. On October 19^th this year Beirut City will be host to the largest, most prominent international sporting event in the history of Lebanon.

The Executive Committee, Race Director and staff are now more than a year into the planning and preparation of the first annual "Beirut International Marathon". The BIM will potentially raise Beirut and Lebanon to the forefront of this Olympic event, increase tourism and international awareness of our beautiful country and provide people with a kick-start to a healthy lifestyle, a chance to raise money for local charities and act as a goal for their personal challenges, and finally, provide an opportunity to show the world what 'being Lebanese' is all about.

The Beirut Marathon Association is a non-profit association serving the community by producing a world-class marathon and was established with the following goals:

• To organize an international marathon within and around the city of Beirut.

• To attract local running enthusiasts, prospective newcomers to the sport of running, and also the international marathoners and elite marathoners.

• To promote, internationally, the city of Beirut and its facilities.

• To create an awareness within the Lebanese population of healthy living and keeping fit.

• To host a multi-faceted, multi-generational and truly international event.

• To enable charitable organizations within Lebanon to benefit from sponsored runners.

• To encourage tourism and economic growth within Lebanon.

• And of course…To have FUN!

An event such as an international marathon, involves a tremendous amount of preparation and work, but I sense that we all share the feeling that the end result will be more than worth the effort. You the participant, the BIM Team and the event to come, are truly inspirational.

I look forward to welcoming each and every one of you to the start line of the BIM 2003.