The British University in Egypt launched this week the largest university marathon for climate, titled “Run for Climate”, ahead of the world climate summit that will be held in Sharm El Sheikh in November.
The marathon was organized by the university in cooperation with Cairo Runners and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and under the auspices of the ministries of higher education and youth as well as the British Embassy in Egypt.
It also comes in implementation of the sustainable development goals and in the BUE’s belief in its mission to support the goals of the climate summit.
Attending the marathon event were Minister of Youth and Sports Ashraf Sobhi, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the British University in Egypt Farida Khamis, Member of the Board of Trustees of the University Yasmine Khamis, President of the British University Professor Mohamed Loutfi, UNDP Resident Representative Alessandro Fracassetti and COP27 youth envoy Omnia El Omrani.
More than 7,000 participants, ranging in age from four to seventy years old, participated in the marathon, including children, women, men and youth.
After the marathon ended, the participants were able to participate in events held on the sidelines of the university campus, such as the Green Bazaar and the open art exhibition to display works on climate technology.
Minister Sobhi highlighted the ministry’s keenness to cooperate with various institutions concerned to organize sports marathons nationwide, within the annual sports events agenda set by the ministry.
Meanwhile, BUE’s president Loutfi stressed that the university has a clear strategy, which is to adapt all its activities with global efforts to change climate and implement the sustainable development goals, in line with Egypt’s Vision 2030.
He added that the university organized this largest marathon of its kind for the climate to raise awareness about the greatest danger facing humanity as a result of climate change.
He said that the university is also working on other projects that would support the climate issue and the participation of young people in climate action because they are the leaders of tomorrow.
Dr Amr Seda, the BUE’s strategic transformation lead, said that many university students are unaware of the dangers of climate change, which justifies organizing this marathon, so that students become aware of these risks through a sporting and social event outside traditional lectures.
The marathon included three distances: 2 km, 5 km, and 10 km, to suit all target groups.
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