Running News Daily

Kenyan runners Kiprotich Noah Kigen and Margaret Njugna winners of Jerusalem Marathon

Over 40,000 people took part in the 12th annual Jerusalem Winner Marathon on Friday, with Kenyan runners Kiprotich Noah Kigen and Margaret Njugna emerging as the winners with a time of 2:18:13 and 2:52:44 respectively.

Second place for the men were Spain's Chakib Achgar Iatrache with 2:25:45 and Israel's Gamber Melakmo with a time of 2:28:30. 

For the women, second place went to Russia's Elena Tolstykh with a time of 2:55:31, followed by Israel's Noa Berkman with 2:59:12.

The winners won a prize of $3,750; the second place won $2,500; and the third place won $1,250.

The Jerusalem marathon, sponsored by Toto-Winner, is headed by the Jerusalem Municipality in cooperation with the Jerusalem Development Authority, with the support and assistance of the Culture and Sport Ministry and the Tourism Ministry. 

(03/17/2023) Views: 812 ⚡AMP

12th Jerusalem Marathon set for March 17, 2023

The International Jerusalem Winner Marathon will be held on Friday, March 17, 2023 for the 12th time, and will mark its “Bat Mitzvah” year with the participation of tens of thousands of runners from all over Israel and around the world.The Jerusalem Marathon is part of a distinguished list of international marathons and is considered one of the most beautiful and challenging in the world.

The uniqueness of the marathon stems from a track that includes important and historical landmarks in Jerusalem, alongside spectacular and breathtaking views, among them: the Supreme Court of Israel, the Israel Museum, the President’s Residence, the walls of Jerusalem surrounding the Old City and the Armenian Quarter, the Tower of David, the Khan Theater and the Sultan’s Pool.

The event is a celebration for the city of Jerusalem, when tens of thousands of visitors visit the city and the local businesses during the marathon weekend, with local businesses and hotels offering discounts, special travel packages, and more.

“We are excited to announce the opening of the Jerusalem Winner Marathon events and celebrate 12 years of activity, in which hundreds of thousands of runners from Israel and around the world participated,” said Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion. “Jerusalem invites professional athletes and sports enthusiasts to register and take part in one of the most remarkable sports events in Israel, while enjoying an unforgettable running experience that includes getting to know significant landmarks in the history of Jerusalem.”

More than sports 

Not only a sports event, the Jerusalem Marathon is considered a special social and community happening, in which dozens of associations take part in the community race (0.8 km), among them: Chaiyanu, Isha L’Isha (Woman to Woman), Shalva, Runners Without Borders, Bat Melech, Keren Gefen and Home Base.

Registration for the marathon is open and includes six races: Full marathon (42.2 km); Half marathon (21.1 km); 10 km race; 5 km race; Family race (1.7 km); and Communities race (0.8 km).

The International Jerusalem “Winner” Marathon is headed by the Municipality of Jerusalem, in cooperation with the Jerusalem Development Authority, with the support and assistance of the Minister of Jerusalem Affairs and Heritage, the Ministry of Culture and Sports and the Ministry of Tourism, primarily sponsored by Toto-Winner.

The runners registered for the marathon will receive a package including; an official SAUCONY Dri-FIT race shirt, a personal competition number, a disposable timing chip, as well as other benefits. Additional sponsors for the marathon: Mey Eden, Hapoel Sport Association, Eldan, Cinema City, Reidman International College and Bezeq Business. The marathon is produced by Electra Target.

(12/27/2022) Views: 763 ⚡AMP

Ukraine war refugee wins Jerusalem marathon

Ukrainian athlete Valentyna Veretska, who fled Russia's invasion of her country and took refuge in Israel, on Friday won the Jerusalem marathon, race organisers said.Veretska claimed the women's title with a time of 2hr 45min 54sec, before celebrating by draping the Ukrainian and Israeli flags over her shoulders.

The 31-year-old was one of around 40 Ukrainians who took part in the race in Jerusalem's Old City, braving unseasonably cold and wet weather.It was her second win since October when she came first in the Tirana, Albania, marathon.

Veretska fled Russia's invasion of Ukraine with her daughter, crossing into neighbouring Poland before travelling to Israel.Her husband, however, stayed in their homeland where he is serving in the army, the organisers said.Israeli Sports and Culture Minister Chili Tropper on Thursday said the Jewish state would welcome 100 Ukrainian athletes fleeing the conflict.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, more than 16,800 Ukrainians have arrived in Israel, according to the interior ministry.More than one million of Israel's 9.4 million residents have roots in the former Soviet Union.Israel has provided humanitarian support to Ukraine but has so far rebuffed Kyiv's requests for military assistance.

It has also refrained from joining Western sanctions against Russia, with which it maintains strong ties including security cooperation.In an address to Israeli lawmakers on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to the Jewish state to abandon its neutrality and "make its choice".Zelensky, who is Jewish, compared Russia's war on Ukraine to the Holocaust.

(03/25/2022) Views: 911 ⚡AMP

2021 Jerusalem Marathon is just 10 days away

After a long delay due to COVID-19, thousands of runners expected in the capital to participate in six different races.

After being postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the 10th Jerusalem International Winner Marathon will be held on October 29, with the participation of tens of thousands of runners from around Israel and the world.

The traditional marathon includes a track through breathtaking scenery, which integrates a challenge to the runners and spectacular landscapes that tell the story of Jerusalem throughout the city’s 3,000 years: The Israel Museum, the Supreme Court, the seat of Israel’s presidency, the walls of the old city and the Armenian Quarter, the Tower of David, the Khan theater, the Sultan’s Pool and more.

In the previous marathon, which took place in 2019, 4,400 runners participated from 76 countries around the world. A 25% increase in the number of participants from abroad. Many are expected to come due to the fact that Israel is spearheading the fight against COVID-19.

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion expressed this by stating that “the return of the marathon excites and thrills us all. It is without a doubt the biggest sporting event to be held after a prolonged period of waiting and recuperating.”

The marathon will be held in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health in effect on the day of the race. It will feature six different races: Full marathon (42.2 km); half marathon (21.1 km); 10 km, 5 km; family race (1.7 km), and community race (800 meters).

(10/19/2021) Views: 1,082 ⚡AMP

Jerusalem marathon cancels 2020 event race due to the pandemic

The Jerusalem Marathon hosts approximately 35,000 participants from Israel and abroad and is a world renowned sporting event.

Following the second wave of coronavirus, the Jerusalem Municipality, in accordance with the Ministry of Health, has decided to cancel the 2020 Jerusalem Winner Marathon.

The event, which had been delayed since March, was set to take place on November 6. The next Jerusalem Winner Marathon is set to take place March 3, 2021 and will be the 10th annual Jerusalem Marathon.

(09/03/2020) Views: 1,211 ⚡AMP

The organizers of Jerusalem Marathon decided to cancel the event due to coronavirus

Due to the new instructions from the Israeli Ministry of Health, and concern for the health of the participants, on Thursday, Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion decided to cancel the Jerusalem Marathon which was to have been held on March 20th.

For now, the Marathon has been postponed until after the holidays, in October. The notice did not say which year.

40,000 people were supposed to have been participating in Jerusalem Marathon, which for many organizations is also a fundraising opportunity.

(03/09/2020) Views: 1,286 ⚡AMP
by Jewish Press News Desk

Mayor of Jerusalem, announced on Monday that new immigrants to Israel will be able to run for free the Jerusalem Winter Marathon

Those that immigrated within the last year are invited to run without paying fees. To the new immigrants- I am proud and excited to host you in the Jerusalem Marathon.

Moshe Lion, mayor of Jerusalem, announced on Monday that new immigrants to Israel will be able to run for free in the Jerusalem Winter Marathon. The move was made to encourage more immigrants to participate in the largest sporting event in Israel. 

"Participants are running together in the Jerusalem Marathon, all of Israel, including the new immigrants. Those that immigrated within the last year are invited to run without paying fees. To the new immigrants- I am proud and excited to host you in the Jerusalem Marathon." said Lion. 

Immigrants that immigrated to the country between January 1, 2019, and March 20, 2020 will be able to register and run for free. 

Registration for the 2020 winter marathon will end on March 14, with six different kinds of options for the participants to chose from. Options include a full marathon (42.2 km), a half-marathon (21.1 km) a 10 km race, 5 km race, a family marathon (1.7 km), and a community marathon (800 m). The race itself is scheduled to take place on March 2.

The community marathon in the past was held to accommodate participants with special needs, and for raising awareness for social issues.

Last year many runners joined packs of advocacy groups and associations championing new research and programs combating these social issues in Jerusalem. Social advocacy groups such as Shalva, the Israel Association for the Care and Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities took part.

The international World Bnei Akiva movement also participated and brought some 300 members and alumni to "join together from countries around the world to run the Jerusalem Marathon along with terror victims and IDF soldiers."

(02/25/2020) Views: 1,306 ⚡AMP
by Celia Jean

The Israel running boom is in full swing with the Jerusalem marathon leading the way

When Danny Felsenstein (second photo) first competed in Israel, in one of the first Tiberias marathons, it was 1979 and distance running was relatively small. “At that time we would have 300 to 400 entrants in a race,” recalls Felsenstein.  “Now you get 35,000 in the Tel Aviv marathon, including the 10K and half marathon. The Jerusalem marathon is now a world-class event.  There has definitely been a running boom in Israel.”

This is reflected in what was an extraordinary 12-month period for Israeli track and road running last year. 2019 brought 13 new national records, six of them set by Lonah Chemtai Salpeter, whose achievements included breaking Paula Radcliffe’s 16-year European 10K record (30:05).  The Kenyan-Israelian Athlete has also run 2:19:46 for the marathon.  

Felsenstein has run races around the world including the London Marathon and in 1981 in Maccabiah he ran the half marathon, 10,000m and 5,000m, “all in one week and in that order.” A key influence in his early competitive years was Harriers’ Bryan Smith, whose wife Joyce won the first two London marathons in 1981 and 1982 and who still coaches sprinter Colette Hurley. 

Felsenstein made aliyah in 1982 and almost four decades later he is, at 62, still an active endurance runner, although these days he limits himself to the 5K and 10K distances. “I’ve got some competition,” he says, “but I’m in the top three in the 60 to 70 age group.” 

The masters athletics scene in Israel is very different from that in the UK, observes Felsenstein. “No vets do track and field and there are no dedicated vets leagues. It’s mostly road running, usually split into age categories.”

Felsenstein belongs to a team made up of colleagues from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he is chair of the Department of Geography. “I train with the Dean of Social Sciences,” he says, ”and the head of the Hebrew University Business School is one of my closest rivals. Each year brings a reassessment of expectations.

“My aim is no longer to improve on what I did the previous year but to decline at a less rapid rate. I’m just happy to run, be fit and not be injured, especially having come through cancer six years ago.”

(02/03/2020) Views: 1,921 ⚡AMP

Kenyan runners win at the Jerusalem Marathon today

Kenya's Ronald Kurgat won Israel's 9th Jerusalem Marathon on Friday at two hours, eighteen minutes and forty seven seconds (2:18:47), ahead of his compatriots Kipkogey Shadrack, who clocked 2:19:07, and Jonathan Chesoo (2:22:07).

Kenya also won the top three places in the women's race, as the winner was Nancy Chepngetich Kimayo at 2:44:50, ahead of Mercy Jelimo Too at 2:54:00 and Naomi Jepngetich in 2:58:00.

The Jerusalem Marathon has been held annually since 2011, the race also includes half marathon, 10km and 5km runs, as well as 1.7km family run.

(03/15/2019) Views: 2,164 ⚡AMP

Jerusalem Marathon guest of honor was Haile Gebrselassie

Kipkogey Shadrack, 27, of Kenya won the Jerusalem Marathon in 2:21.26. The guest of honor at the marathon was Olympic medalist and long-distance running world champion Haile Gebrselassie from Ethiopia. Gebrselassie holds two Olympic gold medals in 10,000-meter running and four world titles for that same distance, and he was the first in the world to break the 2:04 time for the marathon. International runners came from 72 countries — including China, the US, Germany, Poland, Portugal, and Lithuania. The city of Hong Kong sent the greatest number of runners from outside Israel, followed by Los Angeles, Beijing and London. (03/09/2018) Views: 1,651 ⚡AMP

U.S. Rabbis to run 10K at Jerusalem Marathon to raise funds

This is the second consecutive year ten American rabbis will run the 10-km. at the annual marathon this weekend, via a program called RabbisCanRun launched by not-for-profit organization Kav L’Noar across North America. The organization helps youth at risk in Israel and their families build the relationships and skills they need to secure a more positive future. The participating rabbis have thus far raised $78,000 for the organization. Aside from supporting and raising awareness about a worthy cause, the initiative also seeks to encourage rabbis to improve their health. (03/08/2018) Views: 1,949 ⚡AMP