The ninth International Jerusalem Marathon took place on Friday with tens of thousands of participants and onlookers and approximately 7,000 runners from 80 different countries.

The winner of the marathon was Kenyan runner Ronald Kimeli Kurgat, posting a time of two hours, eighteen minutes and forty seven seconds (2:18:47).

The marathon included several tracks – marathon (42.2 km), half-marathon (21.1 km), 10 km race, 5 km race, family 1.7km race and an 800 m community race. This is one of Israel’s largest marathons, with 3000 participants of which thousands are elite runners and runners from abroad.

The various tracks pass by fascinating historical sites that illuminate 3,000 years of the history of Jerusalem, Israel’s capital.

The marathon combines physical endurance with exquisite landscapes, fresh mountain air and unique culture and heritage sites such as the Israeli Knesset, Machane Yehuda Marketplace, Mount Scopus, the Old City, David’s Tower, Haas Promenade and more.

Jerusalem is one of the most unique and important cities in the world. It is the birthplace of the three major monotheist religions – Judaism, Christianity and Islam. With 3,000 years of history and a wealth of culture and politics, Jerusalem offers its guests a spiritual and educational experience like no other.

Thousands of visitors arrive in Jerusalem every year for the Jerusalem Winner Marathon, the largest international marathon held in Israel. This is a wonderful opportunity for visitors from Israel and abroad, runners and spectators alike, to attend fascinating tours, dine in gourmet restaurants, enjoy some of the best cultural and recreational centers in the world, and learn all there is to know about this special, holy city.