Kenyan runner wins Jerusalem Marathon

Kipkosgei Shadrack, 25, from Kenya won the 2016 Jerusalem marathon Friday with a time of 2:16:33.

Main roads closed for traffic as the race weaved through central Jerusalem and the cobblestone alleyways of the Old City. Streets began to reopen shortly before noon.

About 25,000 athletes from Israel — in addition to a record 2,500 foreign visitors — took part, Jerusalem city spokeswoman Brachie Sprung said.

Police said that more than a thousand officers secured the sporting event, which comes amid 6 months of near-daily Palestinian attacks on civilians and security forces.

This year’s marathon included seven distinct tracks. Besides the 42-kilometer (26-mile) full marathon, there was a 21-kilometer half-marathon, as well as races of 10 and 5 kilometers, a “families’ race” of 1.7 kilometers (about a mile) and a special-needs race of 800 meters.

According to the marathon’s website, “the various tracks pass by fascinating historical sites that illuminate 3,000 years of the history of Jerusalem, Israel’s capital.”

As part of the event, stages were set up at various points along the different tracks where bands performed for the crowds.