The Jerusalem Marathon is coming.
Signs announcing the March 16th event seem to be everywhere.
For months now, the grounds near Gan Sacher, Sacher Park ,
both along the marathon route around the park
and in the park have been improved.
Roads leading into the park have new bollards installed.
While around the world “Occupy” tent cities have been emptied,
often by police on horseback in riot gear,
the tents near the main entrance of Gan Sacher
are still occupied.
In spite of a rainy and cold winter,
families live in the makeshift dwellings.
These young people may be on the ultimate social justice field trip,
wanting to interview people who have refused offers of temporary housing.
With thousands of people expected in Jerusalem for the marathon,
it is hard to imagine that this scene
and these structures will still be here next month
when the Second Jerusalem Marathon is run.
If you missed the marathon last year, be sure and see:
Well maybe the tent people will greet the runners with needed water. Miracles can happen..
Maybe, first they will have to get through the snow storm this Shabat….or maybe there will not be one.
Thanks for the info and the photographs. I truly enjoy your posts revealing the “life” that exists within Israel.
Won’t be able to make the marathon this year, but I am going to start saving money for my first “dream wish” trip to Israel. My biggest desire is to make that first voyage to the Land of the Righteous Kings, the City of G_D!
I appreciate all your work on this website, thank you! Shalom!
Thank you so much, hope to see you on the streets of Jerusalem soon, as Tourist of the Week!
hi.
Since your photos, there have been new developments in Gan Sacher. A whole swath of grass has been dug up and there are huge mounds of dirt- the area presumably where the finish line was last year. Are they planing to put down artificial turf, or to resod, hoping for full cover in 4 weeks- most unlikely?
Let’s wait and see.
The blog is great- keep up the good work!
Rebecca
Last year the runners sank into the muddy finish line even with the fake grass carpet and the park was a mess for months after (not very pretty pictures).
Will be interesting to see how they fix the problem, meanwhile it is getting flooded with today’s rain.
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