Runners take over Jerusalem’s cobbled streets in first post-Covid event
Jerusalem, Oct 29 (EFE).- Some 17,000 runners took to the historic and cobbled streets of Jerusalem for the 10th edition of the city’s yearly marathon.
The winners were 29 year old Yamar Gethon, who finished the race in 2 hours 24 minutes, and Anna Preis who reached the finish line after 3 hours 25 minutes in the women’s race.
Aymaro Almiya was the winner of the half marathon and completed the race in 1 hour 7 minutes and ultra-Orthodox athlete Bracha Deutsch – who won in 2018 and 2019 – was the first woman to cross the finish line in 1 hour 20 minutes.
The Jerusalem Winner Marathon includes a full 42 kilometer marathon, a half 21 kilometer marathon, 10 kilometer race, 5 kilometer race, a family race of 1.7 kilometers and a ‘social race’ of 800 metres.
The marathon is the largest sporting event to take place in Israel since Covid restrictions were lifted. Despite this, no international athletes were able to take part because the nation’s borders remain closed to foreigners until November 1, when vaccinated tourists will be allowed to enter the country.
In 2019, 4,400 runners from 76 countries took part in the race, a 25% increase in the number of international participating athletes compared to previous editions.
The Mayor of Jerusalem Moshe Lion said that he hoped the event would continue to draw more visitors to the city which was “ready and safe for tourists.”
He added that the next marathon would take place in May 2022 and would be open to international sportsmen and women who would have the chance to enjoy “one of the most beautiful routes in the world.”
The marathon started in Saker park, a harsh start to the race with its steep hills, passed by the Museum of Israel, the Supreme Court and then through the cobbled streets of the Old City.EFE
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