Beirut may not be the most obvious choice for a marathon mini-break, but it is now twenty years since the civil war ended, ten since Israel withdrew its forces and five since Syria did the same. Beirut, which has been almost completely reconstructed (admittedly with mostly unattractive concrete blocks), is a cosmopolitan and very friendly city. Tourists with an interest in Greco-Roman remains and early Christian history have a wealth of well preserved sites to visit, and a cave system which is so well adorned with stalactites, stalagmites and calcite flows that it has been nominated to become of the “new seven wonders of the world”.

I joined a small group of "100 Marathon Club" members, including Colin Poole (aged 74) who was completing his 300^th marathon and Paul Watts, a blind runner with over 200 to his credit, whom I had guided round the Istanbul Marathon in October. The Marathon Expo had all the usual stalls, displays, pasta parties and additionally a Q&A with Ed Moses (one of the most outstanding athletes of “my” era), as well as other lesser known Lebanese athletics greats.

There was a strong field of international runners, who were largely undeterred by race instructions that advised that "anyone who runs with a bodyguard must enter the bodyguard in the race", nor by the groups of armed soldiers at every road junction! With a 7.00am start the weather was perfect (17 degrees and no wind). The course had a few hills, but nothing too serious. I was pleased to achieve some very even splits, overtaking loads of runners in the second half, and a time of 3.39.17 for 2^nd over 60 and 119^th of the 421 finishers. Despite the relatively small Marathon entry, the day was a huge carnival success with the whole of the city centre being taken over by simultaneous 10k and 5k events, attracting thousands of participants, and including a 1k “Run with Mum” event. All very well organised and very friendly.

This was my 101^st road Marathon. It was also my 193^rd race of Marathon distance or longer, including road and trail ultras of which I have completed 23 events of 100 miles or more. All being well my 200^th will be at Limassol in Cyprus on March 18th.