Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon on Thursday, March 14, 2019, launched the 9th annual Jerusalem Winner Marathon at a press conference at Mamilla Rooftop.

Mayor Leon: “The Jerusalem Winner Marathon is not only a sporting event; it is a true festival, a holiday in Jerusalem. The gates of Jerusalem have always been open to all. We see this clearly at the Jerusalem Marathon – 40,000 running through the Jewish capital, a 15% increase from last year, and making this the largest Jerusalem Marathon ever! The course tomorrow highlights the best of our city: showcasing Jerusalem’s many sites that are admired, as well as the progress we have made – in art, culture, tourism, tech, and medicine. Runners will see the beautiful mosaic of cultures and communities in our city and will witness the unity of Jerusalem with their own eyes.”

40,000 runners will participate in the 9th Jerusalem Winner Marathon, which is expected to bring a record 4,600 international runners and an unprecedented 20 million in revenue to the city, which will be invested in the development of businesses and social projects in the city.

The Jerusalem Winner Marathon includes 6 tracks:
– Full marathon: 42.2 km
– Half marathon: 21.1 km
– 10km
– 5km – two tracks: competitive and social
– Family run: 1.7 km
– Social Run: 800 m

The Jerusalem Winner Marathon is the largest social marathon in Israel, which includes a special 800 meter social track, in which 6,000 runners and 15 associations are expected to participate. Among the non-profit organizations participating are Aleh, Shalva, Kav L’Chaim, the Israel Cancer Association, the Center for Rape Victims and Sexual Assault, the Koby Mandell Foundation, Kav LaNoar, Chayenu, the Michael Levine Lone Soldier Center, Yachad, One Family, Tzomet Center, Sulam, and more.

Hotels in the city are at full capacity and more than 21,000 tourists are expected to stay in the capital for the week leading up to the marathon. This year there is a 15% increase in international participants, which will include 4,600 runners from over 80 countries including the United States, Italy, China, Germany, England, South Africa, France, Poland, the Netherlands, Hungary, Tanzania, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Honduras, Costa Rica, Zambia, Guinea, Macau, Venezuela and Chile.

About 20 leading media teams around the world came to Jerusalem specifically to cover the Jerusalem Winner Marathon. During their stay, the photography crews will visit other tourist sites throughout the city, accompanying by the Jerusalem Development Authority.

The prizes for the full marathon are as follows:
– 1st place: $3,750
– 2nd place: $2,500
– 3rd place: $1,250

The Jerusalem Winner Marathon is run by the Sports Department of the Jerusalem Municipality, in cooperation with the Jerusalem Development Authority and with the support and assistance of the Jerusalem Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Culture and Sport, and under the auspices of Toto Winner. The marathon is produced by Target Market.

One may follow the link for details on traffic arrangements for the marathon.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)