Record 40,000 run in 13th annual Jerusalem marathon, with spotlight on hostages
Israeli Melkamu Jember wins 42.2km race; some participants demonstrate for release of captives held by Hamas; Nova Rave DJ performs musical set at start of event
A record of around 40,000 runners on Friday took part in the 13th annual Jerusalem Marathon despite the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, with some participants running in memory of the victims of the October 7 massacre, and highlighting the plight of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Melkamu Jember, 33, from Israel, won the marathon at 2:35:39, while Noah Berkman, also from Israel placed first among women participants with a time of 2:55:42.
During the race, some demonstrators called for the release of 134 hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip since October 7. The protesters had their hands covered in blood, echoing a theme of past recent protests calling for a hostage release deal, and carrying banners drawing attention to the tragedy.
Competitors, including 15,000 members of security forces and 1,800 international runners, participated in six races — the full marathon (42.2 kilometers), half-marathon (21.1 kilometers), 10 kilometers, 5 kilometers, family race (1.7 kilometers) and community race (800 meters) promoting social awareness.
The marathon route took runners past Jerusalem landmarks such as the Israel Museum, Supreme Court, President’s Residence, walls of the Old City, Armenian Quarter, Tower of David, Khan Theater and Sultan’s Pool.
Many Jerusalem streets were closed from as early as 3 a.m. to secure the route.
בשעה 6:29 בבוקר, השעה שבה החלה מתקפת חמאס לפני 5 חודשים, נערך אירוע הנצחה לנרצחי מסיבת הנובה. דיג'יי ירין אלוביץ' פתח את את אירועי המרתון בירושלים בסשן מיוחד, שאותו ניגן גם במסיבת הנובה שעליה פשטו המחבלים והמשתתפים פרסו דגל ישראל ענק בגודל 300 מ"ר. https://t.co/9qkgLNXSn7 pic.twitter.com/tAXvxvFDEs
— החדשות – N12 (@N12News) March 8, 2024
The day’s events began at 6:15 a.m., with the unfurling of a giant, 300 square meter Israeli flag.
At 6:29 a.m., the same time rocket sirens began to blare across Israel on October 7, DJ Yarin Elovich (Artifex) who performed at the Supernova Music Festival where Hamas terrorists murdered 364 partygoers, played a session before the start of the half-marathon.
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion expressed pride in the record number of participants in the race, as well as tributes given to fallen security forces.
“We all hope for the swift return of all the captives to their homes and families, and for the speedy recovery of all our soldiers on the front lines. See you at the next marathon in March 2025,” he said.
Lion kicked off the half-marathon with Jessica Alter, the partner of Ben Shimoni, a Jerusalem resident killed at the Nova Rave, and the full-marathon alongside hostages Mia and Gabriela Leimberg, who were freed as part of a week-long truce in November.
Jon Polin, father of hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, spoke at the start of the event, addressing Lion about this year’s marathon that he called “emotional but unusual.”
“Jerusalem is Hersh’s city, a city that he loves and is proud of,” Polin said, asking runners to think of each and every soldier, the heroes who fell in battle during the last months, about the courageous soldiers who continue to fight and about the hostages still held by terror groups in Gaza.
“We pray that we will today bring back all the hostages and that the soldiers will soon complete their important mission and return home safely,” Polin said, wishing a pleasant and meaningful run to all the participants.
