Penny Appeal fundraisers throw-back to running the Palestine Marathon 2023

On Friday 10th March 2023, #TeamOrange were out in full force for the annual Palestine Marathon. 90 of our amazing fundraisers spent five incredible days helping others, enjoying culture and raising over £220,000 for our Emergency Response appeal - a huge success! 

Our runners followed the marathon route through the centre of Bethlehem, past refugee camps and alongside the Apartheid Wall, a scenic introduction to the beauty of Palestine. They were joined by volunteers from all over the world to support freedom of movement for the people of Palestine. 

Running wasn’t all they got up to! Our incredible team of fundraisers spent the remainder of their trip doing good, taking in the scenery and immersing themselves in culture. Distributing food parcels with necessities to hundreds of refugees was first on the itinerary, followed by exploring the sacred lands of Palestine. No time was wasted as our volunteers spent three nights in Bethlehem, visiting the Old City and two more nights in Jerusalem, taking a trip to the majestic Masjid al Aqsa.  

We asked the team all about their trip to the Holy Land and this is what they said. 

Our team told us that competitors from all over the world walked, jogged and ran a distance of their choice, from a 5km to the full marathon. The event aims to inspire Palestinians to become active whilst also facilitating cross-cultural understanding among runners of all backgrounds. 

One marathon finisher told us that when preparing for a marathon, training the mind is equally as important as training the body. He explained the importance of perspective; tackling larger tasks by breaking them down into smaller, more manageable chunks worked well for our team. Self-motivation was paramount for our runners, they exchanged many a word of encouragement along the way to themselves and each other, as well as concentrating on breathing and picturing success. In terms of physical training, complex carbs, lean proteins and healthy fats combined with enough rest and systematic endurance training saw our runners on top form for race day.  

Another of our runners shared that seeing the Apartheid Wall in person was a pivotal moment in the race. It appeared at a time when he felt like giving up, but the symbolism of the wall is what kept him going.  “I wanted to convey a message of freedom of movement for Palestinians to the whole world” one of our runners said. A strong message which resonated with many who participated in the marathon. This event means more than just getting a new PB, it brings global attention to the occupation of Palestine and the limitation of freedom of movement for Palestinians under Israeli rule.  

Our incredible team told us that the atmosphere of jubilation and the outstanding organisation of the event were just some of the personal highlights. Many have already began training for the next Palestine Marathon as well as other upcoming Penny Appeal challenges.  

Celebrating their huge accomplishment, one of our fundraisers told us that a trip to Scotland to enjoy the lochs was the ultimate reward and we’re sure a sports massage didn’t go amiss! Many also celebrated with friends and family. We were left with a final message to anyone working towards something, “don’t let thoughts of the finish line overwhelm you”. This reminds us that breaking big tasks down can be a key to success.  

Do you fancy taking on the challenge of a lifetime? Whether you’re an avid marathon runner or just want to walk the 5km for a good cause, applications for next year’s Palestine Marathon are open. You’ll meet fundraisers from around the world, see the breath taking sights of beautiful Palestine and provide life-saving aid to those who really need it. Sign up and join #TeamOrange as we stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine. We will provide dedicated support from the moment you sign up, from fundraising ideas to training regimes, we’re with you every step of this incredible journey.  

Click the linto sign up for the Palestine Marathon 2024! 

Run Palestine 2024 (Dates TBC) | Penny Appeal (enthuse.com) 

For further queries, email [email protected]