Luxor marathon takes off in Egypt

Luxor city on the east bank of river Nile in Egypt is a mine of historical artefacts.

The city which has a third of the world’s antiquities, formed a picturesque backdrop for the twenty third edition of the Egyptian marathon. A race that has become an important annual event in the country.

“The marathon began 23 years ago and it was with the tourism ministry and Egypt’s tourism authority, and its aim was to promote tourism. And also, we want to tell the whole world that the pharaohs, our ancestors, were the first to play sports, and sports, to them, was the language of civilization,” said Gasser Riad, the CEO of Event Sport, the company responsible for organizing the popular event.

The marathon attracts runners from around the world and this year’s edition was no different as nearly 150 non-Egyptian participants from 27 countries took part in the race.

Even as sport and tourism intertwine in Luxor, Egypt remains a traditional powerhouse of tourism, boasting a stellar cast of attractions.

The industry is integral to the wider economy, with more than 10% of jobs connected to the sector.