Tel Aviv braces for annual marathon.
Photo: Ronen Topelberg
Annual Tel Aviv marathon to sweep the city
More than 40,000 runners from all over the world set to participate in 42.195 km long marathon that weaves through Tel Aviv's diverse neighborhoods.
The annual Tel Aviv Marathon is set to take place Friday morning, with more than 40,000 runners from all over the world scheduled to sweat through the streets of the city, passing by the various neighborhoods within the city.
The 42.195 km long route will end at the Ganey Yehoshua Park and will encompass several diverse parts of the city from the upscale Rothschild Boulevard which is lined with trees and historic Bauhaus architecture to the Azrieli skyscrapers and Jaffa's historical port.
Tel Aviv marathon in 2014. (Photo: Oren Aharoni)
The Tel Aviv Marathon is Israel's largest international sports event and 150,000 people are expected to participate in the various events surrounding the marathon, such as a pasta party on Thursday night and an after-party set to take place at the end of the run.
Magen David Adom paramedics recommended runners eat a full breakfast before the run, and consistently drink water throughout the day, which is forecasted to be unseasonably hot and dry. Two years ago a 29-year-old marathon runner died and a dozen others suffered from heat strokes during the annual run.
Additional sports events surrounding the marathon are a 10km and 5k race and a hand-cycle race.
In 2014, the record time the marathon was completed for men was set at 2:14:39 by Ezekiel Koech from Kenya – the record is expected to be broken again this year. The women's record, set in 2012 by Adeba Tola Eda from Ethiopia, stands at 2:38:27.
Orange squares show areas the marathon will pass through.
A limited number of runners who complete the marathon in designated time frames will be rewarded with a monetary prize of $25,000.
Leading international athletes have arrived in Tel Aviv, many record-holders from other global competitions, and will compete among the Israelis for first place.
Mayor of Tel Aviv, Ron Huldai said this year's marathon will have a record number of participants, "The Tel Aviv Marathon is one of the most spectacular races in Israel and stands alongside the great marathons of the world. The marathon is a big celebration not only for the athletes but also for the city's residents and its visitors, and this year we are glad to celebrate with a record number of participants."
While many Tel Aviv residents will wake up tomorrow excited for the day's events, those who do not partake in the sport will find themselves meeting various challenges when trying to commute in the city – with many major streets scheduled to be shut down for the day's events.
