but the moment she was able, may al kalil turned her focus on the marathon. the ambition was undeterred. she wanted a sporting event that just maybe might cut through decades of hostility and political dispute. the idea was to establish a safe route through a notoriously divided territory, and she did it. >> ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the beirut marathon, for the love of lebanon. >> the response was emphatic. 6,000 runners from 49 countries competed in the first beirut marathon in 2003. six years later, and there were 32,000 competitors heading to the start line. and since 2003, 36 ambassadors have run without bodyguards in an open display of solidarity. rarely has there been a better example of nelson mandela's decree that sport has the power to change the world. >> ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the winner of the sport for good award 2011 and founder and president of the beirut marathon, may al khalil. [ applause ] >> thank you very much. good evening. first of all, i would like to thank sincerely the laureus members and committee members for th