Seulemen Pour VIP

 

“Peace making is not a sprint, it is more of a marathon.”

M. El Khalil

 

 

Young... Successful...
Lebanese VIP

MAY EL-KHALIL



The Beirut Marathon Association

 Info@beirutmarathon.org 

www.facebook.com



 

 

 




While politicians struggle to make it step by step towards change, this lady succeeded in gathering thousands of footsteps to run for peace, projecting to the entire world the true colors of Lebanon.
Challenging the odds and betting on people’s will, this lady’s mission is peace.
Down to earth is what makes her special;
Perseverance builds her strength and motivation got her to be one of a kind.
She is the symbol of change, the loving fighter, she is...
The lady of success

 

 

Position & Company:
Founder and President of Beirut Marathon Association

Status:
Married to Faysal M. El-Khalil

Kids:
Zena, Nidal, Lana, Sari

Hobbies:
Social work and sports

Awards:
Power of Sport Award (Lausanne), 2011.
Laureus Sport for Good Award (Abu Dhabi), 2011.
National Order of the Cedar. Lebanon.
Fair Play and Peace. (Italy), 2014.


 



Among all the awards that such a lady deserves, there is only one that should be accredited to her inspiring efforts and that is the Nobel Prize of Peace award.

After her marriage to business man Faysal El Khalil, May left her native land Lebanon and moved to Nigeria where she spent 23 years investing her energy in Social work.
Encouraged by her husband, family and friends, she revived and presided the Lebanese Ladies Society, an NGO dedicated to helping the underprivileged Nigerians.

Being a marathon runner herself, May used to run until 2001, when she was hit by a bus while training. This nearly fatal accident placed her in a coma and despite 39 surgeries that enabled her to walk again, she couldn’t run anymore.

"If I couldn't run myself, I wanted to make sure that others could."

Defying the Lebanese critical political situation, she founded the Beirut Marathon which became a symbolical run towards peace showing the world a civilized image of Lebanon away from war, internal conflicts and stereotyped image.
For once and for the first time in 2003, differences were set aside and all that we could see was an entire nation along with 49 different nationalities taking one direction, heading to one final destination: peace.

From that moment, May El-Khalil’s success was no longer hers alone. She, as well as the Beirut Marathon became an indivisible entity belonging to the country and its people.May’s dreams have no limits; making sure that what doesn’t kill her makes her stronger, she turns each of her ambitions into a new challenge.

 

 

 



 

 

 

 


 

• What personality marked you most in your life?
My husband Faysal El-Khalil.


One thing that you are really proud of?
To see the culture of running growing exponentially in Lebanon & in the Middle East triggered by the Beirut Marathon’s success.

If it was up to you, what will you achieve regarding women’s //children rights?
The right to education for everyone.

www.beirutmarathon.org