Smara (refugee camps), Feb 23, 2015 (SPS) - The 15th edition of Sahara Marathon, annual international sport demonstration, on Tuesday kicked off in the Saharawi refugee camps, with the participation of 580 Saharawi and international runners from 30 countries in the world.
The Marathon started from the Wilaya of El Aaiun towards Smara, Saharawi refugee camps.
This year’s edition is dedicated to shedding light on the Saharawi children’s rights.
The Sahara Marathon includes the 42km standard-distance marathon (main), in addition to shorter distances of 21km, 10km, 5km and the children’s race.
The event is aimed at promoting sport activity among Saharawi young people as well as financing and developing humanitarian programs in the Saharawi refugee camps.
It also seeks to raise awareness and sensitize the world about the decade-long suffering of the Saharawi people, under the yoke of Moroccan occupation since 1975.
Since its inception in 2001, Sahara Marathon has been attracting a growing number of participants from around the globe, including of which athletes, runners, activists and sympathizers with the Saharawi people. (SPS)
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