Around 8,000 multinational runners participated in two races in downtown Beirut’s “Run Forward, Enough Going Backwards” women’s marathon on Sunday. The event was organized by the Beirut Marathon Association (BMA) and sponsored by Lebanon’s First Lady Wafaa Sleiman.

The two races included a 10km race for women and those with special needs 14 years of age and above, and a 5km “Run For Causes” open to men, women and special needs of all ages. According to BMA, the idea was born out of the belief that sports can activate positive change in the world.

The main goal of the race, now in its second year, was to empower women. Both women and men took part, some carrying balloons as they crossed the finish line. A group of 50 women ran the 5km portion of the race to collect money and support friends suffering from cancer.

A delegation from the European Union, headed by Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst, also took part.

A newspaper report quoted a Lebanese man running with the EU delegation as saying that all men should take part in the race to challenge the dominant “machismo” in the world.