Thousands of runners braved temperatures hovering just above zero degrees Celsius yesterday to take part in the Gaza Strip’s second-ever marathon. Participants were whipped by strong winds carrying sand from the beaches of the Palestinian territory as they took part in races along the length of the Strip, with around 200 taking part in the full marathon. Palestinian Nader al-Masri, who won last year’s race, was first across the finish line in the southern town of Rafah, clocking in at three hours and ten minutes.