middle east current events – Page 120 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Did you Hear about Jerusalem Marathon 2013?

March 5, 2013rjstreets

Streets were shut.

Traffic was blocked.

Public transportation came to a stop.

Schools had to close.

Jerusalem streets were deserted.

Was it a bomb scare, a terror attack, an alien invasion,

or hmm, an US Presidential visit? Not yet.

No, the 3rd International Jerusalem Marathon was set to begin.

To get around the city center on Friday morning

walking and biking were the only options.

Last year rain and hail fell as the runners came near the Old City walls

This year the weather was much better for the marathon runners as

they ran the 42 kilometer route through the Jerusalem, Israel streets.

The cool temperatures did not make everyone happy

and the grey skies and no sunshine were not great for photos.

However, these actors walking on stilts draped in the flags

representing the 50 countries of the runners entered in the race,

and other characters, provided plenty of color as the runners took off.

The marathon winner from Ethiopia ran in a record time,

as Abraham Kabeto approached the finish line

he was well ahead of the Kenyan runner who came in second place.

Here are the top three women runners smiling on the winners’ stand.

However, at this event

there were many more winners than these elite athletes.

Over twenty thousand people ran in the various races,

supported and cheered on by a crowd of a half a million people.

Thousands ran the half marathon, a 21.1 -kilometer course,

through the streets

and up the Jerusalem hills.

The winners of the 10 kilometer race were led by a motorcycle escort,

and thousands of runners followed after them.

Zahal, the Israel Defense Force, had a separate start time for their race.

As these marathon runners approached the special finish line,

the 5th Place winner was already smiling and posing for photos,

in Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, which was filled with people.

This girl was so happy after finishing the 10 K race.

What a shame that UNWRA has cancelled the Gaza marathon.

Some people tried to protest or disrupt these Jerusalem races,

but it seems once again that no matter how many people are

on the Jerusalem streets, if no violence is involved,

it is not a news worthy event.

Some full marathon runners were still seen on the streets

hours after the official winners crossed the finish line.

Everyone who participated deserved and received a medal.

Many runners ran in support of a dozens of good causes.

Everyone was a winner on Friday, March 1.

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat (center) had reason to smile.

The International Jerusalem Marathon has grown bigger

and better every year.

Many more people are already talking about

and planning to run in next year’s Jerusalem Marathon 2014.

Hope to see you next year in Jerusalem!

More photos HERE and HERE

Jerusalem Marathon 2013

February 28, 2013rjstreets

How it has grown!

The Jerusalem Marathon 2013 is a major sporting event with

20,000 runners, who come from 50 countries all around the world.

In 2010, there were 3,500 runners in the Jerusalem Half Marathon.

The work involved in transforming Gan Sacher, Sacher Park,

into the gathering point,

the starting line,

and the special finish line for the full marathon has been a major project.

Jerusalem Marathon 2011 ended in a muddy mess that took months to repair.

With this new platform in place there should be no such problems.

For Jerusalem Marathon 2012 there was rain and hail,

but this year better weather is predicted.

Flags have been hung

lining the streets

along the route.

Direction signs around Jerusalem are hard to miss this year.

For weeks, runners have been training on the streets, but

first they have to check in at the International Convention Center

and pick up their number and official shirt.

These are the shirts that will fill the streets this year.

There are also several shorter races running with different start times.

Many worthy organizations are entered in these races to

raise money and awareness for their causes, OneFamily and ALEH

are just two that had special registration booths this week.

Some people will complain.

Traffic will stop as the runners take to the streets.

But everyone has to agree that Jerusalem Marathon has certainly grown.

No Harlem Shake, but 12 Favorite Signs

February 20, 2013rjstreets

Though most everyone seems to be doing the Harlem Shake,

we have not seen anyone doing it yet on the streets of Jerusalem, Israel,

so decided to share a few favorite signs instead.

Signs are an extremely important form of communication

in many neighborhoods.

Notices of the death of revered former Supreme Court judge Menachem Alon

and renowned thinker David Hartman were prominent this week.

1. This misspelled sign from last year is still a favorite.

2. No words needed here, but here’s hoping there are better directions for

the Jerusalem Marathon that is to run next week on Friday, March 1.

3. Do you really think a motorcycle will not go on a foot path because

of this sign if the riders think they have enough room to get through?

4. The first time seeing the signs at the tax offices can cause a panic attack.

The Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency met this week.

5. But how many people remember this United Palestine Appeal sign?

6. There are new street signs on “The President’s” Street.

7. But there are other Presidents’ streets in Jerusalem, these

8. two are named for US presidents honored on February 18 in the US.

9. A favorite sign this time of year is this street named for Queen Esther.

10. Here is a sign for the new exhibit at the Israel Museum on King Herod.

Arab violence has increased outside the Jerusalem area.

The new government still is not in place, however,

it is interesting that the Israeli press (not a Purim joke)

11. has reported that this pistachio ice cream is the Prime Minister’s favorite,

and he requested NIS 10,000’s worth of it in this year’s budget.

12. Purim is a few days away, so will end with an all time favorite sign

as the bus soon will say “Happy Purim.”