sports – Page 4 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

Under-21 Championship Final and Tomorrow

June 18, 2013rjstreets

The marathon of big events over the past two weeks,

Jerusalem Lights, Formula 1 Road Show,

and Hebrew Book Week, have ended.

Though it also began the beginning of June,

the UEFA Under-21 Championship Finals are still going.

The Israel-England game that was played at Teddy Stadium

attracted over 22,000 soccer (football) fans.

Many former Brits living in Israel were conflicted,

so they cheered for both sides.

Though Israel won, they still did not go on to the next round.

In the middle of Ben Yehuda Square,

usually the scene of street musicians,

this Under-21 Championship set-up appeared instead.

Playing this soccer game did not seem like the best exercise,

and gotta love these active sportsmen.

But I was glad I came back later

to see that some young people were actually kicking soccer balls

and some were using their heads.

Look out world,

here comes another generation of Israeli soccer players.

The European soccer championship game,

Italy vs. Spain, is being played tonight at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem,

Spain could win back to back victories.

Update final score: Italy 2- Spain 4.

At the same time, at the Jerusalem International Convention Center

is the opening of #Tomorrow13, the Israeli Presidential Conference.

5000 delegates have come from around the world to attend.

Tonight is a huge 90th birthday celebration

for Israeli President Shimon Peres, with Dr. Barbara Streisand,

(she got an honorary doctorate from Hebrew University yesterday),

former President Bill Clinton, Prince Albert of Monaco

and other celebrities, like Robert Di Nero.

It is harder to get a ticket than to the Barak Obama’s speech in Jerusalem!

But I wonder which event will have more home viewers?

So much happening on the streets of Jerusalem,

you do not have to be here to see the diversity!

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.