May El-Khalil

May El Khalil is the Founder and President of the Beirut Marathon Association. The Beirut Marathon Association oversees the annual Beirut International Marathon, which has been held every autumn since 2003 and was accredited by the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) in 2009. In 2015, the race and social movement attracted over 38,000 runners from 104 countries. After suffering a near-fatal accident that placed her in a coma, Mrs. El Khalil founded the marathon to help mend divisions in Lebanon. She wanted to shift the focus from that which divides the Lebanese people, and bring them together to celebrate that which they have in common—their love for exercise and their relationships with friends and family. Mrs. El Khalil has been recognized for her work nationally and internationally; she has received the AIPS Power of Sport Award in Lausanne, and the Laureus sports for Good award in 2011. Mrs. El Khalil spoke at the TED global conference in Edinburgh Scotland in 2013.