BEIRUT (AFP) – Almost 20,000 runners hit the streets of Lebanon on Sunday for the fifth Beirut Marathon under tight security ahead of a planned presidential election later this week. Lebanese soldiers and security personnel patrolled the streets of the capital as the thousands of men, women and children from more than 65 Gulf countries, turned out despite the tense political crisis gripping the nation.

President of the Beirut Marathon Association May Khalil said she was "surprised" and "delighted" at the turnout in the city where lawmakers are struggling to break the political deadlock ahead of a parliamentary vote to choose a new president."The level of take-up for the marathon was still poor last month, but then we got 10,000 applications in one week alone," she told AFP. The race was won by Ethiopian Tamrat Ilanso who completed the 26 miles (more than 42 kilometres) in two hours and 19 minutes. The slogan for this year’s edition of the event was "it’s my marathon," which endowed the race with a theme of empowerment and national solidarity

In Hamra, Lebanese American University danced, chanted and offered refreshments, while Madonna and techno blared from large speakers Downtown. The finish line had a festival atmosphere, with concerts, Beirut Marathon merchandise, and dozens of tents.