Egypt's Pyramids turned into marathon venue

People gathered around the Great Pyramid of Giza, which is located in the western part of capital city Cairo, in Egypt on 15 February 2019 [Ahmed Al Sayed/Anadolu Agency]

People gather to attend a public run with the attendance of four thousands people from different countries, around the Great Pyramid of Giza, which is located in the western part of capital city Cairo, in Egypt on 15 February 2019. [Ahmed Al Sayed – Anadolu Agency]

People gather to attend a public run with the attendance of four thousands people from different countries, around the Great Pyramid of Giza, which is located in the western part of capital city Cairo, in Egypt on 15 February 2019. [Ahmed Al Sayed – Anadolu Agency]

Some people reach the finish line as other people gather attend a public run with the attendance of four thousands people from different countries, around the Great Pyramid of Giza, which is located in the western part of capital city Cairo, in Egypt on 15 February 2019. [Ahmed Al Sayed – Anadolu Agency]

People gather to run for a public run with the attendance of four thousands people from different countries, around the Great Pyramid of Giza, which is located in the western part of capital city Cairo, in Egypt on 15 February 2019. [Ahmed Al Sayed – Anadolu Agency]

Professional and amateur runners have visited Egypt to participate in a marathon at an unusual venue: around the Pyramids of Giza, Reuters reports.

The event was part of an effort to promote Egypt as a destination for sports tourism.

Egypt’s ministers of tourism, antiquities and youth all participated in the race on Friday, along with visitors from 75 different countries, according to organizers.

Egypt has been trying to attract tourists, an important source of foreign currency since visitors fled after the 2011 uprising.

The runners chose between distances of 42 km, 21 km and 10 km.

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