See Highlights of the Jerusalem Marathon 2023

The flags of Israel, the city of Jerusalem, and the Marathon lined the Jerusalem streets for the 12th Jerusalem Winner Marathon races on Friday, March 17th.

The main routes go through the Old City, connecting the new and the ancient streets of Jerusalem with tens of thousands of runners.

As Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion mentioned at the Jerusalem Marathon launch, where else can you get 3,000 years of history in one race?

These mascots were cute at the opening event, but I did not see them on race day at Sacher Park or the starting line near the Knesset.

This is one of the elite international runners at the event. In the past, there had been many runners to meet and photograph. That was BC, before corona, but this year thousands of international runners were back again.

Security was in place. Streets were blocked at 5:30 am on race day.

The lead full-marathon runners with escorts were out early.

The fastest runners were led by a motorcycle.

Thousands of full marathon runners headed off around Jerusalem streets on their 42.2-kilometer full-marathon race.

Unlike last year when it was cold and way too wet, the day was sunny and warm and jackets were discarded before the starting line.

By the main finish line, spectators waited for the full marathon finishers.

He wasn’t the first-place winner, but the crowd cheered all those who crossed the main finish line in Sacher Park.

The Women’s half-marathon winner was again from Ukraine.

While Israeli Beatie Deutsch was happy with her family and second place.

But the Jerusalem Marathon is not just about the two long runs.

It is the smaller courses that have the biggest number of entries.

The participants out from ADI Israel participated again with a larger group this year on the smaller course near the Knesset.

The 10-kilometer race had two large groups of runners, most were not in costumes though, but dressed in shirts from one of dozens of good causes.

Not everyone sped over the finish line outside the park, but everyone who crossed it was a winner and received a medal.

Two long-time participant runners, as my friend from Team HASC, who was so focused on the finish line he did not hear me, though his companion did.

And this woman, my hero, who started running for Shalva before there was a full marathon, and was in the last half marathon. Now she was also running for The Ari Fuld Project.

There were short family races also, besides the volunteer supporters who act as a family to help those who can not run on their own.

The Sacher Park was filled with people and tents of various organizations.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 2023-Marathon-312-1024x678.jpg

There were quiet spots and busy activities on the weather pleasant day.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 2023-Marathon-347-2-1024x577.jpg

A drone hovered over the finish line.

But it was Friday, and time to get home, as the full marathon runners were still on their way to the park and finish line.

I’ll post some of those photos later, as I think everyone participating and reaching the line is a winner, no matter their official time.

But there was much more, and you can see those photos on Facebook HERE and HERE and HERE

UPDATED WITH VIDEO:

A wonderful day with wonderful weather and tens of thousands of smiles.

But, I wonder if anywhere else but in Jerusalem, Israel, would I be offered challah to take home for Shabbat – because there was no time to bake on Jerusalem Marathon Friday.

The Jerusalem Marathon is set for March 8, 2024 – so start training now. Hope to be able to find you in the crowd of tens of thousands next year.

Israeli Independence Day to Jerusalem Day

Israeli Independence Day to Jerusalem Day

Israel’s 69 years’ celebrations took many forms.

The flyovers on Yom Ha’atzmaut, Independence Day,

are an annual favorite.

This year I was in Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, ready to record

as 4 planes zoomed across the sky, turned and dipped.

A blog called Outrageous, was posted

  on May 11, 2011, concerning the poor

the situation of access for disabled individuals

in Jerusalem, Israel.

What triggered that post was the deplorable

restroom conditions at Gan Sacher on Yom Ha’atzmaut.

Tens of thousands of people and no proper toilets,

long lines, and no handicapped facilities.

By the spring of 2014, construction was underway

Spring 2014 construction of public toilets in Sacher Park

for a new public restroom, toilets, loo or “OO.”

Since I have gone by multiple times to check it,

 I am very happy to report

 that this year on Yom Ha’atzmaut afternoon

the women’s restroom was not only available,

Improved restroom in Gan Sacher

but it was clean and stocked with paper and soap.

The speed can be seen in the air,

but on the ground things often go much slower.

This year Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day,

with all the build up to the jubilee year,

is being eclipsed by the first official visit

of US President Donald Trump.

The King David Hotel is to be cleared

of all other guests for the presidential entourage,

as was done for previous US presidential visits.

It’s not fun for locals

when major streets in the area are closed.

However,

tower of David on Jerusalem Day

 the Tower of David is offering some fun,

 on Wednesday, May 24, 2017, with free entrance,

from noon – 6:00 pm.

Besides the opening of new exhibit,”50 Years 50 Faces,”

children’s activities are planned, plus guided tours.

Theatrical performances and live music will entertain,

Tower of David entertainers Jerusalem

look for more than jugglers on the wall,

 Kings David, Solomon and Herod are to make an appearance.

Mayor Nir Barkat is to greet the public from 3:30 – 5:00 pm.

Always so much happening on the Jerusalem streets.

Inspiration for 2014 in Jerusalem

Inspiration for 2014 in Jerusalem

I was having trouble finding something positive to share,

as the clock ticked to the end of 2013 in Jerusalem, Israel.

Everyone has heard enough kvetching about the snow

and the massive clean up which is still going on.

image protest Jerusalem, Photo Israel protest, picture protest signs.

The protest against prisoner releases was sad enough,

picture protest at night, image Israel protets, photo protest banners.

but the “March with Umbrellasin the cold, wet dark night,

found many depressed by this “gesture of good will.”

The next morning the sun was shining,

image Bell Park , Jerusalem park photo, picture Jerusalem Bell Park

 and the fresh blue paint in the Liberty Bell Park looked good. 

It was interesting to see how 100 years after

 Rabbi Dr. Yitzchak Halevi Herzog z”l  wrote on his dissertation 

about Tekhelet, that maybe a “student of chemistry may be interested”

that a conference filled the auditorium at The Begin Heritage Center.

But it was still not what I wanted for an inspiring blog to end the year.

However, I was back at The Begin Center the next day,

for another conference with another long list of impressive speakers.

And then,

photo inspirtational speaker, picture Noam Gershony, image Olympic gold medal winner

 Noam Gershony stood at the podium and started to tell his story.

How he was so close to death the doctors held little hope for him.

How he lost his leg and almost his life in Second Lebanon War.

How his friend Dov next to him was killed.

How he slowly came back to life, 

to play tennis, 

image skiing one leg, photo Noam Grshony, picture disabled skier

 to ski on Mount Hermon,

image disables biker, Noam Gershony riding a bike, photo bike rider with one leg

and to ride a bike.

By the time he finished his story of winning a gold medal

at the 2012 Olympics in London with the music of Hatikvah  playing,

there was hardly a dry eye in the room.

image Noam Gershony, picture Noam Gershony, photo standing ovatiion

After he finished and received a standing ovation,

image Noam Gerhsony, photo man walking with one leg, photo Noam Gershony

Noam walked to the elevator surrounded by admirers.

That was it,

what I want to share,

what the world must see.

Certainly not everyone can win a gold medal in the Olympics,

but Noam Gershony exemplifies the Israeli spirit.

After what happened to him, 

he did not become a suicide bomber,

but he does blow people away.

He inspires them to get up and get going,

no more excuses, too tired, too busy.

Now let’s make 2014 a good and positive year for all.