Many of Jerusalem’s main thoroughfares shut down on Friday morning to allow a record 35,000 runners to participate in the city’s eighth annual marathon. 4,000 foreign participants traveled to the Holy City from 72 countries. Kipkogey Shadrack, 27, of Kenya won the marathon for the third consecutive time in 2:21.26.
In addition to the full 42.2 kilometer marathon (26.2 mile) marathon, a 21 kilometer (13 mile) half marathon, ten kilometer (6.2 mile), five kilometer (3.1 mile), 1.7 km “family” (one mile), and 800 meter (half mile) “community” race were also run as part of the event.
The route began at the Knesset, went past the historic Mahane Yehuda open-air shuk (market), Mount Scopus, he Old City, King David’s Tower, and the Haas Promenade.
