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Assignment: The Strangest Marathon in the World is in Gaza

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The Strangest Marathon in the World is in Gaza

08/03/2012

BBC World Service - Assignment, The Strangest Marathon in the World is in Gaza

Jon Donnison travels to Gaza for Assignment to witness the world's strangest marathon.

Jon Donnison travels to Gaza for Assignment to witness the world's strangest marathon. The territory is 42 kilometres long (26 miles) - the exact length required to run a marathon.

Gaza is exactly 42 kilometres (26 miles) in length - the distance required to run a marathon.  

Travelling to a conflict zone to take part in a marathon might appear an eccentric decision.  

But that's exactly what two dozen foreigners did.   

They were joined by an equal number of Gazans.  

The marathon on 1 of March took place in stormy conditions.  

The route covered the tiny territory from tip to toe.  

It went along the beautiful coastline, and past refugee camps.  

Jon Donnison was there to witness the world's strangest marathon. 

Assignment was produced by Dave Edmonds.

(Runners take part in a 10 km race, as part of the second annual Gaza Marathon, organized by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. Credit: Reuters)

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