As we heard over Easter weekend that the Palestine Marathon had once again been cancelled due to the occupation, runners from Sheffield, who are raising funds towards the costs of putting on small park BIG RUN, will not be deflected from taking part in the virtual Palestine Marathon that starts from Rother Valley Country Park on April 18th.
The following day, 19th April, together with Sheffield Palestine Cultural Exchange and cinema Palestino, we will be showing Freedom to Run, at the Showroom on, at 6pm , that tells the story of Glaswegian marathon runners whose eyes were opened to the occupation when they took part in the Palestine Marathon in 2017.
The virtual marathon, similar to the small park BIG RUN DIY event, is a commitment wherever you are to justice and solidarity. We will be joined , virtually, by runners from all across the UK and the World in a single statement :
Justice for Palestinian people and end to occupation and Apartheid.
The Palestine Marathon, which should be taking place in Bethlehem requires, two circuits of the city – the presence of the Apartheid Wall limiting the length of a single route. The event has its roots in the Right to Movement and nothing symbolises more than this physical restriction.
A Right to Movement runner is someone who doesn’t wait for their human rights, but claims them by running with , as or for those deprived of their rights – and tell the world about it though pictures, videos and stories. It’s activism through sport and storytelling (from https://www.facebook.com/righttomovement.org/)
The virtual marathon is a truly international, global expression of solidarity:
