Running Through History United in Heart
Marathon Damascus 2026 – Running Through History, United in Heart Marathon Damascus 2026 is the inaugural event of the Syrian Marathons series, a visionary initiative by two entrepreneurs, Architect Amer Rifai and Engineer Ala Al Din Meriden, created to celebrate Syria's cities through the universal language of sport. Launching in the heart of Damascus, this first edition aims to spotlight the city's cultural richness while uniting people through a shared commitment to endurance, peace, and pride.
Organizer
Kapitell AM is proud to organize Damascus Marathon 2026, an event that reflects our belief that building strong communities goes beyond construction. As a provider of high-performance materials and partner of Germany's Kapitell Chemicals, we support long-term development in Syria with quality, resilience, and vision. Rooted in decades of regional experience, Kapitell invests in infrastructure, culture, and people, because rebuilding isn't just about structures, it's about creating lasting connections.
Behind this initiative are the combined talents and dedication of its founders, in addition to a wonderful truly dedicated team:
Architect Amer Rifai
Founder and CEO, is the visionary behind this marathon, an initiative born from a belief in the power of movement to connect, inspire, and uplift communities. With years of leadership experience across international platforms, he brings a strategic and purposeful approach to everything he builds
Simon Müller
A seasoned sports consultant with over 25 years of international experience across Europe, the US, and Saudi Arabia. He has led projects for major organizations including Coca-Cola, NBA, Mastercard, and Turkish Airlines. Since 2016, he has been driving sports development initiatives in Saudi Arabia, with a strong focus on grassroots participation and sustainable growth. Passionate about running, cycling, and basketball, he brings both strategic insight and hands-on event experience.
Ms. Rahaf Khatib
A stay-at-home mother of three and accomplished endurance athlete, with 11 marathons, 35 half marathons, and two sprint triathlons. She is the first Syrian to complete the Abbott World Marathon Majors and was a top ten finalist in the 2015 Runner’s World Cover Search. Her story and advocacy, supporting Syrian and Palestinian refugees and raising brain cancer awareness, have been featured by CNN and leading publications such as Runner’s World, Women’s Health, and Vogue Arabia. In 2016, she became the first hijabi woman on the cover of Women’s Running Magazine. Based in Michigan, Rahaf is an RRCA-certified running coach, TEDx speaker, and collaborator with global brands including Adidas, HOKA, Strava, Garmin, and Zappos. She uses running to promote inclusivity, healthy living, and representation for hijab-wearing athletes.
Mr. Mutaa Estwani
Marketing and Sponsors Manager
Mr. Mazen Kalle
Finance & Budgeting, with a solid background in financial management, he handles the budgeting, expenses, and overall financial oversight of the event, ensuring transparency and sustainability throughout the marathon process.
Eng. Hadi Traboulsi
Structures & Logistics, A civil engineer with hands-on expertise in infrastructure and project execution, he oversees the structural planning and logistics of the Damascus Marathon to ensure a safe and efficient setup across all race areas.
Meet The Team
