The third Jerusalem Marathon saw runners passing by the Old City walls, while “Batman” leaped onto the ramparts to run alongside them.
The third Jerusalem Marathon was held on March 1st. Due to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the various controversies surrounding Jerusalem, this event carries significant meaning. However, the weather was fine that day, with over 20,000 people participating, including soldiers from the Israel Defense Forces who completed the race while carrying firearms. In this city often seen in the latter half of news broadcasts, a marathon was held with great enthusiasm.
On March 1st, around 20,000 people took part in the annual marathon in Jerusalem, with 1,000 police officers deployed along the route to ensure security. Many runners dressed up as cartoon characters—some even dressed as Batman and ran alongside participants atop the ancient city walls—while soldiers from the Israel Defense Forces completed the race carrying firearms.
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat is a marathon enthusiast. It was his strong push that helped establish this event as an annual fixture in Jerusalem. On the day, Barkat once again participated in the half marathon. After the race, he told reporters, “The Jerusalem International Marathon is very important. It helps promote interaction between Jerusalem and the rest of the world, bringing more people here to learn about the city.”
The Palestine Liberation Organization had called for a boycott of the event. Near Damascus Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem, a group of demonstrators attempted to approach the race route but were stopped by police on duty and barricades. Police spokesperson Mickey Rosenfeld said that around fifty or sixty protesters tried to break into the race area, “but there were no major incidents, just minor hiccups.”
The race included 1,750 international runners from 52 countries and regions, featuring full marathon, half marathon, and 10-kilometer mini races. The course started at the Knesset (Israeli Parliament) and passed by numerous iconic landmarks such as the Old City of Jerusalem, the Knesset, Hebrew University, and the Israel Museum. The beautiful scenery along the way undoubtedly served as the best morale boost for the runners.
Rachel Rosenbloom participated in the 10-kilometer race while five months pregnant last year, and now her son is seven months old. This year marked her first attempt at the half marathon. Rosenbloom said, “It was amazing. I was almost dead, but it felt great. Some of the uphill sections were really tough, but the beauty of Jerusalem made it all worthwhile. The air was fresh, and the views were enjoyable.”
Due to its mountainous terrain, Jerusalem’s undulating landscape posed many challenges for the runners, but this unique experience also added to the fun.
Another highlight of this Jerusalem Marathon was that about one-third of the participants ran for charitable causes, raising funds for cancer patients or disabled children. Heartwarming scenes could be seen everywhere throughout the event.
Ethiopian runner Kitata won the men’s championship with a time of 2 hours, 16 minutes, and 29 seconds. Similarly from Ethiopia, Shure Weyu Antony claimed the women’s title with a time of 2 hours, 47 minutes, and 26 seconds. However, just as every runner who crossed the finish line received a medal, every participant was a champion.
This year’s event included a full marathon, half marathon, 10-kilometer race, and a 4.2-kilometer public run.