At the third annual Jerusalem marathon on Friday, Ethiopian runner Abraham Kabeto Ketla flew past the finish line at 2 hours, 16 minutes and 29 seconds, beating the record by three minutes. Luka Kipkemoi Chelimo of Kenya was second at 2:19:02. Vincent Kiplagat Kiptoo, also from Kenya finished third. On the women’s side, it was also a big win for Ethiopia, with fellow countrymen Mihiret Anamo Anotonios and Radiya Mohammed Roba finishing 1-2. Antonios also set the women’s record in the process with a time of 2:47:26.
While the winners made the headlines, it was an incredible day for all 20,000 runners, who came from 52 countries around the world running in either the full 42-kilometre (26-mile) marathon, the half marathon or a 10-kilometre dash.
When you have 20,000 runners, you’re sure to have some incredible subplots. One of them was Annalisa Minetti, who was crowned Miss Italy 1997. An Italian model (obviously) and Paralympic athlete, she is seeing impaired but ran the full marathon along with her lifelong partner. “Sport is the great therapy of life, and it’s an opportunity to demonstrate your abilities,” Minetti told The Jerusalem Post in an interview. “When you run in faith and love, nothing is impossible,” she said.
And the Jerusalem Marathon is hardly a cakewalk. While most of the world’s major marathon, like the one in New York, have a relatively flat course, Jerusalem is a tiny bit hilly. But the extra effort is worth it, as the route takes you on an incredible tour of one of the world’s most ancient and beautiful cities.
ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, GO!
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