Tirana hosts first international marathon

TIRANA, Oct. 21 – Over 3000 runners from Kenya, Kosovo, Finland, France, Italy, Poland, the United States, Serbia and Switzerland participated in the first Tirana International Marathon. Prime Minister of Albania, Sali Berisha, and the Mayor of Tirana, Lulzim Basha, greeted the participants and welcomed the organization of such an important sport event in Tirana. The United Nations in Albania supported the Marathon and used this opportunity to campaign for women’s rights and gender equality. Information materials on gender equality were distributed to all registered runners.
A group of UN staff ran for women’s rights taking this opportunity to advocate for gender equality in Albania and in the world. UN Volunteers hold a booth at the Marathon Expo on Skanderbeg Square.
The UN resident Coordinator in Albania Ms. Ms Zineb Touimi-Benjelloun welcomed the organization of an inclusive international sport event in Tirana that promoted equal rights for all.
Ms Semia Solange Guermas De Tapia, UN Women Representative in Albania, handed over medals and prizes to the women winners of the semi-marathon.
The Tirana Marathon aimed to promote a set of social, cultural, educational, sporting, economic and ecological values to the national and international community.
The event was organized by the Municipality of Tirana, on the occasion of the celebration of the centenary of independence of Albania.