Kenyan runners rule day at Jerusalem marathon

A pair of Kenyan runners won the 12th International Jerusalem Winner Marathon held on March 17.

The winner of the men’s full marathon was Noah Kigen Kiprotich, 33, of Kenya, with a time of 2:18:13. Among the women, Margaret Njuguna, 54, also from Kenya, took first place with a time of 2:52:44.

Some 40,000 people participated in all six races, highlighted by the full marathon. The runners ran through a breathtaking route, passing by the Knesset, along the walls of the Old City, the Sultan’s Pool, Mishkenot Sha’ananim, Mount Zion, the German Colony, Rehavia, Armon HaNatziv promenade, Ammunition Hill, Sacher Park, Mount Scopus, the Mount of Olive, and other noteworthy sites.

This year, some 2,700 runners from 72 countries from around the world who participated in the full marathon. Of them, 691 men and 821 women completed the course. For the half-marathon, 2,471 men and 777 finished the course. For the 10K, there were 3,758 men and 2,496 women who finished and for the 5K there were 2,501 men and 2,410 women who completed the course.

Boaz Kahn of North Riverdale participated and finished the 10-kilometer race. Joining Kahn in the same race was Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon.

“Since its inception more than a decade ago, the Jerusalem Marathon has become one of the most exciting professional sporting events for every runner in Israel and around the world,” Leon said. “I am proud that we were able to hold it again with great success.

“Today Jerusalem once again revved up its engines, launching many participants of all ages who have come to partake in Israel’s biggest sporting event, held in Israel’s athletic capital.”

In addition to the full marathon and 10K races, there were also a half-marathon, a 5K run and a 1.7K family run.

In the men’s full marathon, Chakib Achgar Iatrache, 34, from Spain, came in second at 2:25:45. In third place, Gamber Melakmo, 38, from Israel at 02:28:30.

In the women’s full marathon, Elena Tolstykh, 39, from Russia came in second at 2:55:31. In third place, Noa Berkman, 34, from Israel, at 2:59:12..

The Jerusalem “Winner” Marathon is also Israel’s biggest social marathon, where a designated, 800-meter social run offers an opportunity for thousands to run in support of various social organizations.

The first-place finishers in the full marathon were awarded $3,750; second place - $2,500; and third place - $1,250.

The Winner Jerusalem Marathon is directed by the City of Jerusalem, in collaboration with the Jerusalem Development Authority. It received support from the Ministry for Jerusalem and Legacy, Ministry of Tourism, and Ministry of Culture and Sport.

The marathon is sponsored by the Toto — Winner — Israel Sports Betting Board.