Egypt revives Pharaonic marathon

Over 200 runners from around the world are participating on Friday in the first stage of a marathon which Tourism Minister, Mamdouh el-Beltagui, said it had a documented Pharaonic background.

Competitors from Germany, Italy, France, Belgium, Russia, Switzerland, Britain, Denmark, Spain, Algeria and Tunisia are to compete in the event. The first stage stretches from Giza to Fayyoum in south Egypt.

Beltagui said that the event had been marketed worldwide through press conferences and the Internet. He added that the marathon would receive wide TV coverage.

"Transmitting the event to all world countries emphasizes trust in the Egyptian tourist destination and the state of security and safety prevalent in Egypt.

Besides, it highlights the uniqueness of the Egyptian tourist product and its diversity," he told a news conference Thursday.