The Titans Race: From start line to sweet finish

Just before 7 a.m., hundreds of runners pressed against the starting barriers at Waterfront Dbayeh.

Green Titans shirts stretched across the crowd. Race bibs were adjusted one last time. Some athletes bounced in place, others stood with headphones on, eyes fixed ahead. Above them, a giant Red Bull inflatable arch framed the starting line as a voice counted down over the speakers.

Three. Two. One.

The horn echoed across the waterfront and the front row surged forward, chasing seconds, medals and personal records. Behind them came hundreds more, moving beneath a cloudless blue sky while DJs, drummers and cheering spectators turned the course into something closer to a festival than a traditional race.

For many, that was exactly the point.

The first edition of The Titans Race sold out its 750 available spots days before race day, with another 250 people on the waiting list. Participants chose between 2K, 5K and 10K distances, all taking place on the flat roads of Waterfront Dbayeh.

For founder Youssef Abi Aad, the idea grew from his own experiences with endurance sports.

After seeing businesses fail during difficult years in Lebanon, he found himself turning to running and endurance challenges. The sport became a way to push himself beyond work, eventually inspiring him to create the kind of event he felt the local calendar was missing.

"There are major races almost every week in Europe and the United States," he said. "In Lebanon, we didn't really have that. We wanted to take the whole experience to another level."

Beyond the finish line

Preparation started long before race day.

Participants collected their race kits in advance, complete with shirts, energy gels and everything needed before the starting horn. Race day added another layer.

A DJ blasted music from a moving vehicle rolling alongside runners. Drummers appeared along the course. While Civil Defense stood on their truck and sprayed runners with water to provide them with a brief reprieve from the punishing summer sun.

Then came the moment everyone had been talking about online.

A bicycle carrying trays of tiramisu rolled alongside runners.

The unusual partnership started after The Tiramisu by Le Boudoir reached out to the organizers themselves. "A lot of our followers and friends were sending us the teaser," said Pamela from The Tiramisu by Le Boudoir. "We thought, why not be part of it?"

Fitness already played a big role inside the team, she explained, making the collaboration feel surprisingly natural.

"Our brand is built around something fun, light and a little cute," she said. "Seeing how excited people became about having tiramisu during a race made us even more excited."

Runners received a single spoonful while passing the cyclists, enough for a quick taste rather than a dessert break. The company also chose race day to introduce a high-protein, lower-fat and lower-sugar version of its signature dessert.

"If anything," Pamela said, "that little boost of sugar can actually give them quick energy to keep going."

Two races happening at once

Although social media focused on the dessert, elite runners experienced a very different race.

Abi Aad deliberately separated the fastest athletes from the entertainment so they could focus entirely on performance. Lead bikes opened the course, giving Lebanon's top runners a clear path before the festivities reached the route.

"I wanted people chasing personal bests to have the perfect conditions," he said. "For everyone else, I wanted memories they'll look back at and videos they'll always remember."

Hybrid coach Eric Moukarzel arrived with one goal: breaking his personal best in the 5K after narrowly missing it during his previous race. "The Titans had a new concept," he said. "They're focusing a lot on entertainment and innovative ideas, and the course is completely flat. That gave me another chance to break my record."

He eventually completed the 5 km race in 21 minutes and 5 seconds. Later, he posted online that he wanted to get it done under 21 minutes.

With that, he chuckled at one temptation he intentionally skipped. "The people racing for records won't go near the tiramisu, including myself," he said. "The people running for fun can grab a bite and keep going."

Running finds a new crowd

Over the past few years in Lebanon, running clubs have grown quickly, attracting both first-time runners and seasoned athletes.

Abi Aad believes the biggest shift has happened beyond competition.

"I visited a lot of run clubs," he said. "Years ago, they were mainly performance-driven. Today, people also come because of the community."

That change shaped every decision behind The Titans Race. "We're building something long-term," he said. "From the races to the medals, the shirts and the overall experience, we want to raise the standard of fitness events in Lebanon."

Moukarzel has watched the same transformation from the coaching side.

"Maybe people first come because of the music, the vibes or even the tiramisu," he said. "Then they see others running, they get inspired, and eventually they challenge themselves."

Judging by the finish line, many left with exactly that kind of memory. Runners crossed carrying medals around their necks, stopping to compare finishing times, replay videos from the course and reunite with friends as cyclists carrying trays of tiramisu slipped through the crowd, offering one last spoonful before the beverage stand claimed the next line.