Kenyan Ezekiel Koech breaks TLV marathon record
28-year-old runs race in 2:14:40; despite comfortable weather, 65 participants need medical attention
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleLazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
Kenyan Ezekiel Koech, 28, won the 2014 Tel Aviv Marathon Friday, finishing the 26.2 mile course in 2 hours, 14 minutes, and 40 seconds. His time was the best in the history of the race.
Koech won NIS 15,000 ($4294) for his victory.
“I am very happy with my result,” Koech said after the race, according to Ynet. “Weather was good, not so difficult. I hope to come again next year.”
Kenyans also finished second and third in the marathon.
The event included 6 different heats: Marathon (42.2 km), Half-Marathon (21 km), 10 km race, 5 km race, Hand-cycle race, Mini-Marathon for kids (420 m and 840 m).
Forty thousand runners participated in the Samsung-sponsored event, despite the death of runner Michael Michaelvich during last year’s run, which took place during a heat wave. Some 2600 runners ran the full marathon.
The date of the race was moved up this year per the Health Ministry’s orders.
About 85 runners needed medical care this year. Most were in fair condition, but nine were initially in serious condition after suffering heat stroke, and seven were in moderate condition. Some of the runners were taken to the Ichilov and Sheba medical centers in the city.
Major streets in the city — which were closed at 4 a.m. — reopened at 1 p.m. Classes were cancelled at Tel Aviv schools because of the race.
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