Jerusalem Marathon Highlights

Early Friday morning on March 15, 2019, 40,000 runners filled the Jerusalem, Israel, streets for the 9th International Jerusalem Winner Marathon.

Jerusalem Marathon runners

Thousands from around the world came to run in the full marathon and other races.

Jerusalem marathon runners

Streets were closed for these athletes with blue tags for full marathon.

Jerusalem marathon runners

The full Jerusalem marathon runners seemed to keep coming.

Medical support team on street corner for Jerusalem marathon

Emergency teams were in place, but I did not hear any reports of serious injury.

Jerusalem marathon runners in costumes

Some of the runners dressed up as superheroes.

Led motorcycle for half marathon runners

Oops, this motorcycle lead for the half marathon first place went by so quickly.

Jerusalem Half marathon leaders

I missed him coming, and only got a shot after he whizzed past.

Second place Jerusalem half marathon

But second place was not far behind and here he is coming into the home stretch.

This year I decided to take fewer photos, so I missed the rest of the half marathon runners.

Arab media at Jerusalem marathon

International media covered the event, here is one doing an interview in Arabic.

Flag of Syria flying for Jerusalem marathon runner

The flags of the eighty participating countries are flying along the route to starting line.  This year for the first time there was a Syrian flag.

Stormy weather day before Jerusalem Marathon

Heavy rains the day before of the marathon blocked view of Jaffa Gate.

Marathon elite runners with Mayor Moshe Lion Jerusalem marathon

Mayor Moshe Lion and dignitaries had to pose inside with elite runners.

Mud at Jerusalem marathon in Sacher park

Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, was one big mud patch, but the sun was shining and temperature cool and pleasant for the races.

Tarp over mud in Gan Sacher for Jerusalem marathon

Key areas were covered, like this area near the stage where the first place medals were awarded.

The Jerusalem Marathon is always more than a competition for the fastest running.

Shalva teen runners in 10 K race Jerusalem marathon

Team Shalva had teen participants from US schools, among its hundreds of supporters. Shalva raises large sums each year from this event.

Non profits supported by Jerusalem marathon runners

Other nonprofits and charities had teams and booths in the park.

Booth and charity organizations Jerusalem marathon

Teams from Camp HASC and AMIT, and over 100 good causes, come year after year.

Team for new runners in memory of Ari Fuld at Jerusalem Marathon

One new team this year was Lion of Tzion. These young people organized to run to raise money to buy a food truck in memory of Ari Fuld z”l to take food and treats to IDF soldiers.

Activities in Sacher Park during Jerusalem marathon

Trampolines were set up in the park as one of the activities for families, and at an early hour it was not crowded.

Sacher Park morning of Jerusalem marathon

But in spite of weather the day before, and in spite of the mud in the park, runners and their supporters came.

NInja equipment at Sacher Park for Jerusalem marathon

For the new ninja, there was a long line waiting for a turn.

Media waiting for winner of full Jerusalem marathon to arrive at finish line

Media was waiting for the full marathon winner to arrive and cross the finish line.

There were two main finish lines, the one in the park was only for the full marathon,

while the long list of other races end at the other locations outside of the park.

Crowd waiting for full marathon winner to cross finish line

This was the crowd waiting to greet the marathon winner.

Moshe Lion Jerusalem mayor at finish line for Jerusalem marathon

New Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion was ready at the finish line for a photo op.

Jerusalem mayor Moshe Lion at finish line when first place runner of Jerusalem marathon arrives

Mayor Lion stood waiting for the winner, front and center.

Jerusalem mayor Moshe Lion at Jerusalem marathon finish line

So center, with the medal in his hand, the mayor blocked my view of both the first and second place finishers.

Winners Jerusalem marathon with mayor Lion at finish line

All the first place runners were from Kenya this year.

But there was more action at the starting lines and the other finish lines.

The starting line was out of the park and up the hill toward the Israel Museum and Knesset.

Start of 10K race of Jerusalem marathon

At the various starts there was a burst of energy and excitement.

Former mayor Nir Barkat running 10 K race in Jerusalem marathon

For years I tried to get a photo of former Mayor Nir Barkat.

This year I did not try and there he was with the green tag to the right.

Excitement of the starting line Jerusalem marathon

So many smiles and such excitement, this woman was with a group from Hong Kong.

starting line of Jerusalem marathon

Thousands waited for their starts, over and over, every 15 minutes for the 10K races.

finish line for family 5K race Jerusalem Marathon

There was also a special 5K track for a family friendly, slower paced walk.

Runners near finish line of Jerusalem marathon for 10K races

The finish line for the 10K runners was impressive.

Pushing wheel chair in Jerusalem marathon

People were pushing baby strollers.

Pushing a wheelchair in race Jerusalem, Marathon

Also there were runners pushing wheelchairs in various races.

Finish line Jerusalem marathon

Seems each year, one person I find at start and finish. I was not looking for him this year, but there was Nir Barkat.

Crowd coming and going from marathon

Runners were still arriving as people were slowly walking home.

jerusalem marathon runners entering park near finish line

Full marathon runners were arriving to Gan Sacher on this newly finished path.

Cleaning up water bottles after marathon

Hundreds of volunteers were cleaning up thousands of water bottles along the route.

The Jerusalem Winner Marathon has become more than an annual sports competition.

Each year I go back, and say I will take fewer photos, but do not succeed.

Here are two examples of why I spend hours walking and sharing this event.

Two young runners in Jerusalem marathon on way to family walk

One their way to the midday family run, I met up with one family.

Big brother gave his medal for finishing the 5K run to his little brother.

And with all the tens of thousands of runners at the finish line, some seem more special.

Team spirit. Family spirit. A day of unity. Am Yisrael Chai.

Leah ready to cross finish line of Jerusalem marathon

Some smiles were more special than others, races were not about who came in first.

Finally – with posting this, my Jerusalem Marathon is over for this year.

Now time to get ready for next marathon!

Crazy Purim in Jerusalem, check out official events HERE

Chag sameach, Purim sameach, Happy Purim image

 

Are you up to more Jerusalem Marathon, check out photos HERE  and HERE 

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