marathon – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Favorites from Jerusalem Marathon

Favorites from Jerusalem Marathon

March 20, 2017Sharon A

The International Jerusalem Winner Marathon 2017

was run on Friday morning, March 17.

The Jerusalem streets were closed and traffic was blocked

as 30,000 runners participated in the full marathon

and a number of other shorter races.

As the full marathon runners were going by

at least one man on the right wanted attention,

as did the two runners in tams and kilts.

Over 60 countries were represented,

but I only saw one French flag.

Women were in the crowd running the full marathon.

Tens of thousands ran through the streets,

as the route looped around and through the Old City.

Last year’s #1 was again #1 this year.

After kissing the ground,

full marathon winner Shadrack Kipkogey was congratulated by

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, who was dressed for a 10 K run.

I took 500 photos and it was hard to decide which ones to share.

But thousands of selfies were taken at the starting line

and at the finish line.

One of my favorite photos and stories:

I posted a photo of a family from South Africa

dressed in red on Facebook at night after the race,

and by morning all the names had been tagged.

Water stations were located along the route,

plus this one where runners re-entered

Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, after their race.

Tens of thousands were in the park

enjoying music

and the activities provided.

There was new entertainment at the starting line,

but many participants were so excited they hardly noticed.

Just getting to the starting line took a long time,

because of security and crowds

walking anywhere took longer than usual.

The 10 K race had 3 different starting times and groups

for the thousands who participated.

Brightly colored shirts from dozens of charity organizations

were worn by thousands of runners,

and this woman who walks for Shalva,

was back again this year.

Remembe I commented how I never saw the mayor running?

Well, this year I saw him at the start

and again at the end of the race at the finish line.

I even spotted the man who wants to be the next mayor

at both the starting and finish lines.

The numbers attending the Jerusalem Marathon

have grown so large it is hard to find family or friends.

One of the reasons the numbers have grown

is the participation in a special Family Race.

At 10:30 am, 6000 were waiting to start the last race of the day.

I did not stay for the starting gun,

as I was racing back to the 10 K finish line.

But the family members I was looking for?

I did not see any of them!

While walking home, I passed those taking

a slower pace nearing the finish line.

Some streets opened early to traffic this year.

And there was Barefoot Rick,

still smiling as he finished up another marathon.

Not sure if this was 84 or 85, of the over 100 marathons

he has run without shoes to raise money for charity.

Tens of thousands ran through the Jerusalem streets,

millions of dollars were raised for charity.

There are people who still hate it,

but look for an even bigger and better one next year.

The date is set for the next Jerusalem Marathon:

March 9, 2018.

By then I had better get an app for my phone

so I can know how many kilometers I walked.

It could be way more than a full marathon.

To see more Jerusalem Marathon photos,

which were posted on Facebook,

please click HERE.

Jerusalem Marathon and More

March 16, 2016rjstreets

The US Vice-President went home.

The Israeli President went to Russia to meet Putin.

The flags for the Romanian President’s visit are gone,

but othere flags are lining the Jerusalem, Israel streets.

Flags and more flags are flying in gusting winds,

flags ready for the Jerusalem Marathon.

25,000 runners of all ages,

2500 of them from out of country are expected.

Day and night,

they have been seen training for the Friday morning race.

Weather has been cold, then hot and sunny, and then rainy,

all in the same day, the same hour!

But come Friday, major streets will be closed,

and schools, businesses, even the Israel Museum,

will not open as usual.

Large posters at Gan Sacher, Sacher Park,

have been put up near the starting line,

and another is at Jaffa Gate.

One finish line next to the park

has been ready for days.

The Sport and Health fair leading up to race time,

is at the Jerusalem Arena this year.

Meanwhile, there is another marathon,

the Purim marathon keeping many families busy.

Purim ‘lead up’ has been well under way,

with an extra Adar leap-year month to prepare.

Azza Zazza promises megilat Esther reading every hour on Friday,

March 25, for Jerusalem’s Shushan Purim celebrations.

Buses display banners of Purim festivals.

The streets are not as crowded,

and Mamilla Mall is not bustling as usual.

But it is still the weather that keeps me inside,

first dust, then rain.

Today’s rain should clean the air for the runners.

I was glad to be out in the Old City as the sun was setting,

to find men dancing at Kotel, the Western Wall,

singing and live music to dedicate a new Torah scroll.

Life goes on in spite of the security situation.

Sports and Purim and if that is not enough,

there is a Bach Festival this week,

with music, events, lectures and art,

over several days in multiple locations.

These new tape art designs are for Purim?

The Jerusalem Marathon route goes by this intersection,

but being so close to the finish line, I doubt most people will notice.

You never know what you will find next

on the Jerusalem, Israel streets,

Jerusalem Marathon Ready Set

March 12, 2015rjstreets

It poured overnight, but the skies are slowly clearing,

and those who prepared early are very happy,

Tomorrow is the big day,

this has to be drier that the first rain soaked Jerusalem marathon.

The Jerusalem Marathon is hard to miss,

and just like last year’s run,

a finish line has been up and ready

across a major street for a couple of weeks.

These huge signs are displayed in multiple locations.

Not only will the races close

many Jerusalem, Israel streets all Friday morning,

but there is also a Sports Expo

in the Jerusalem International Conference Center.

Runners have three days to come and get their kits,

with their official shirts and numbers.

Entering the Convention Center lobby

it is all about marathons.

But inside the large halls,

it is all about sportswear marketing.

Aleh is one of the many organizations with teams of runners

who will raise thousands of dollars for charity.

The full marathon attracts runners from around the world.

Gan Sacher, Sacher Park is the main venue.

The times for the different runs are posted here.

With those early morning start times

it is good that the synagogue is easy to find.

The serious marathon runners will race up and down

the hilly Jerusalem streets in amazing times,

with the first awards ceremony set to start before 9:00 am.

The finish line for the full marathon is in the park,

each year it gets a little better organized,

the large park is filled with runners and supporters.

With major roads closed to traffic,

many residents do not like this sports event

that shuts down the city.

But maybe the music and street theater

on Emek Refaim Street this year

will keep some of those not running and cheering

in a better mood.

What a difference a few years makes:

who even remembers those half marathon runs?