Foto Friday – The First Jerusalem Marathon

March 25, 2011 - 5:24 PM by

The First Jerusalem Marathon is now over and the entire city can breathe a collective sigh of relief. One reason is because cars can now move freely again around town. But more importantly, because the day passed without incident — and believe me, Wednesday’s terrorist bombing, so close to Jerusalem’s International Convention Center, which just happened to be the pick-up point for the runner’s kits, was on everyone’s mind.

I ran the 10k (1 hour 20 minutes*) and can report the event was well-organized and the trail — which we had all feared would be one big uphill, as is per usual in Jerusalem — was planned out nicely with uphills, downhills and even the occasional level ground. The drizzly, chilly weather was perfect for running, though not for hanging out in Sacher Park and enjoying a post-run adrenaline rush afterglow. But in all, the event was a feather in the cap of Mayor Nir Barkat, whose goal, as a self-described “sports fan and marathon runner who completed five marathons in different cities across the world” was to have Israel’s capital city “join the international map of marathons”. The countdown to 2012 has already begun.

Here are a few shots of what is was like, courtesy of the Jerusalem Marathon website. The runners lining up…

Mayor Barkat firing the starting gun…

And they’re off…

The front runners…

One of the high points: passing through the Old City…

And here’s Mr. Mayor again — walking the walk, not just talking the talk!

So that’s how it was in 2011. Here’s hoping that 2012′s run manages to engage even more of the city’s population groups and bring them closer not just to physical activity and a healthier lifestyle but, through sports, also to one another.

*Slow but steady.

Tags: • Category: A New Reality, coexistence, education, Foto Friday, General, health, Israeliness, Life, News, Picture of the Week, Politics, Sports 

Comments

5 Comments on Foto Friday – The First Jerusalem Marathon

  1. liz on Fri, Mar 25th 2011 5:47 PM

    2. I want more info on the Jerusalem Marathon. What a dream. I want to train for this!!

  2. Rachel Neiman on Sat, Mar 26th 2011 11:52 AM

    3. For more information: https://www.jerusalem.muni.il/. To register for 2012: https://www.jerusalem.muni.il/jer_sys/marathon/register.asp?iduser=-1

  3. m kurtz on Mon, Mar 28th 2011 9:15 PM

    4. Writing from the US. Trying to get the website for family that ran in the 10K AND HALF MARATHON IN jERUsalem so that we can get pictures.

    Please send website for pictures for those who completed the course.

  4. Amir Cohen on Mon, Jan 2nd 2012 3:44 PM

    5. THE 2012 JERUSALEM FULL & HALF MARATHON & 10K RUN WILL BE TAKING PLACE ON
    FRIDAY MARCH 16TH 2012
    SECURE YOUR SPOT AND REGISTER TODAY!

    Runners from all over the world will have a chance to meet in the world’s most culturally diverse and ancient city. The route will take participants past the picturesque vistas and historical sites which appear all through the pages of history.

    Please contact us:
    The Jerusalem Marathon website
    The official Jerusalem Marathon on Facebook
    Follow The Jerusalem Marathon on Twitter

    Amir Cohen
    Social Media Manager of
    The Jerusalem Marathon 2012

  5. Foto Friday – Jerusalem Marathon 2012 | ISRAELITY on Sat, Mar 17th 2012 1:02 AM

    6. [...] 2nd Annual Jerusalem Marathon took place today successfully. As with last year’s race, there were security concerns — there’s a nice piece in the Jerusalem Post on the [...]

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