a record number of people are participating in this year's beirut marathon. however, one person who participated in the past is conspicuously absent, and that's runner number 3. that's saad al hariri, who resigned suddenly as prime minister from saudi arabia more than a week ago. sunday evening hariri spoke up on lebanese television for the first time in eight days, explaining his resignation was intended as a wake-up call for the people of lebanon to the dangers facing them from iran and others. and he promised to return soon. there were plenty of reminders of the 47-year-old leader left out of the running. may halil organized the first marathon in 2003. >> the prime minister has been a great supporter to the beirut marathon.