Over 3,000 people run largest-ever Tel Aviv Marathon; new women’s record set
Half-marathon also sees record participation with over 12,000 runners; mayor Ron Huldai expresses hope that race will come to symbolize a return to normalcy
Some 50,000 people took part in the Tel Aviv Marathon on Friday, with over 3,000 running the full race — more than any other previous year.
The half-marathon also saw record participation, with more than 12,000 runners.
In the women’s full marathon, Baraki Gabriela of Ethiopia set a new record of 2:35.20, a 31-second improvement on Kenyan runner Margeret Njugana’s record-setting 2:35:5 in the race’s 2017 edition.
Among men, Nyakundi Dickson Simba of Kenya came in first with a time of 2:10.14, just seconds short of the record.
Speaking before the start of the race, Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai expressed hope that it would signify a return to normalcy after more than two years of war.
“This is the largest marathon we’ve had, and I believe this marathon will be a symbol of a return to regular life in the State of Israel,” he said.