The Tel Aviv Marathon is a major marathon held annually in Tel Aviv, Israel, in February. Inaugurated in 1981, it was held annually until 1994.[1] In 2009, it was revived and has been taking place annually since, attracting about 40,000 runners in 2022. The race was not held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a digital event was held instead.

Tel Aviv Marathon
DateFebruary
LocationTel Aviv, Israel
Event typeRoad
DistanceMarathon
Primary sponsorSamsung
Established1981
Course recordsMen: 2:10:11
Kenya Dominic Kipngeno Mibei (2023)
Women: 2:35:51
Kenya Margaret Njuguna (2017)
Official siteTel Aviv Marathon
Participants1,505 finishers (2022)
2,181 (2020)

The 2022 edition took place on 25 February. Vincent Kipsang Rono of Kenya and Bikaya Mantamar of Israel were the men’s and women’s winners, respectively.[2][3][4]

History

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Tel Aviv marathon, 2014

The marathon is one of Tel Aviv's core annual international events. The Tel Aviv Marathon is a multi-course event allowing both professional and hobbyist runners to take part. The event includes an Inline Skating Half Marathon, and a 30 km Handcycle race for people with special needs. Marathon runners run along the seashore and main streets of Tel Aviv, an official UNESCO World Heritage Site.[5]

Some 35,000 runners were expected to take part in the 2013 marathon, with a range of different courses on offer.[6] Due to unexpectedly high temperatures, the marathon did not take place as originally scheduled on March 15, 2013. Other races scheduled as part of the event, including the half marathon, 10 km races, 4.2 km race, and children's race did take place, but started earlier in the day than originally scheduled. Despite the precautions, one runner died, and twelve others were seriously injured.[7]

 
Tel Aviv Marathon, 2011

For the 2020 edition of the marathon, although foreigners were initially banned from competing due to concerns regarding the coronavirus pandemic,[8][9][10] the Ministry of Health partially lifted the ban days before the competition and allowed "diplomats, foreign residents, and international residents" that were already in Israel to participate in the marathon.[11][12]

In 2021, the marathon did not take place due to the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, a virtual event was held, using a dedicated app which remained available for a week and a half to allow runners to choose a time and location of their choice and receive information on their distance and running time in the app.[13]

Course records

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Tel Aviv Marathon, aerial view, 2022

The men's course record is 2:10:11, set in the 2023 edition by Dominic Kipngeno Mibei of Kenya.

The Israeli men's course record is 2:27:25, set in the 2017 edition by Marhu Teferi.

The women's course record is 2:35:51, set in the 2017 edition by Margaret Njuguna of Kenya.

The Israeli women's course record is 2:51:23, set in the 2019 edition by Irene-Orr Konovalov.

Past winners

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Key:   Course record

Date Men's winner Time Women's winner Time Refs
24 Feb 2023   Dominic Kipngeno Mibei (KEN) 2:10:11   Margaret Njuguna (KEN) 2:42:40 [14]
25 Feb 2022   Vincent Rono (KEN) 2:12:55   Mintamir Bikaya (ISR) 2:53:01 [15]
2021 Virtual event
27 Feb 2020   Tobias Singer (GER) 2:31:01   Elena Tolstykh (RUS) 2:44:17 [16][17][18]
22 Feb 2019   Samuel Demie (ETH) 2:14:31   Margaret Njuguna (KEN) 2:40:26
23 Feb 2018   Ernest Kebenei (KEN) 2:19:53   Margaret Njuguna (KEN) 2:58:18
24 Feb 2017   Belete Mekonen (ETH) 2:12:12   Margaret Njuguna (KEN) 2:35:51
26 Feb 2016   William Yegon (KEN) 2:10:50   Lonah Chemtai (KEN) 2:40:16
27 Feb 2015   William Yegon (KEN) 2:10:30   Azeb Weldehawariat (ETH) 2:51:24
28 Feb 2014   Ezekiel Kiprop (KEN) 2:14:40   Margaret Njuguna (KEN) 2:44:23
2013 Did not held
30 Mar 2012   Samuel Tarus (KEN) 2:15:15   Abeba Tolla (ETH) 2:38:27
08 Apr 2011   Josphat Rono (KEN) 2:19:02   Worknesh Shashe (ETH) 2:40:35
14 May 2010   Avraham Hailemelkot (ISR) 2:49:34   Orna Blau (ISR) 3:13:30
24 Apr 2009   Daniel Kipchumba (KEN) 2:38:06   Orna Blau (ISR) 3:07:41
1995–2008 Did not held
15 Mar 1994   Gezahenge Birra (ETH) 2:19:37   Czesława Mentlewicz (POL) 2:40:44
15 Mar 1993   Aiduna Aitnafa (ETH) 2:21:37   Cinzia Allasia (ITA) 3:10:57
16 Mar 1992   Tumo Turbo (ETH) 2:14:56   Alina Magamedirova (RUS) 2:47:47
15 Apr 1991   Tsegaye Segne (ETH) 2:19:50   Loredana Ricci (ITA) 2:58:12
15 Mar 1990   Hannu Korkalainen (FIN) 2:30:32   Loredana Ricci (ITA) 3:20:12
16 Mar 1989   Osmiro Silva (BRA) 2:13:23*   Czesława Mentlewicz (POL) 2:53:18*
06 Mar 1988   Jean-Claude Louison (FRA) 2:22:21   Adriana Barbu (ROM) 2:44:03
19 Mar 1987   Michel Constant (FRA) 2:23:27   Erika Kruger (FRG) 3:26:28
03 Mar 1986   Michel Schwind (FRA) 2:30:05   Elena Murgoci (ROM) 2:49:32
07 Mar 1985   Jean-Michel Charbonnel (FRA) 2:23:06   Lise Kristiansen (DEN) 3:01:27
19 Mar 1984   Gheorghe Sandu (ROM) 2:27:05 n/a ---
28 Feb 1983   Alan Mc Gay (GBR) 2:22:34 n/a ---
09 Mar 1982   Yves Seigneuric (FRA)
  Claude Minni (FRA)
2:26:56   Navah Ezra (ISR) 4:31:15
19 Mar 1981   Jean-Michel Charbonnel (FRA) 2:35:47   Zahava Eliasi (NED) 4:02:51

Notes: 1981 was the inaugural year. The course used for the 1989 race was 1,750 m too short, due to marking mistakes. https://arrs.run/HP_TelAvivMa.htm

Prize Money (ADR qualified runners)

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Year Men Woman Total
2012 $9,240 $5,600 $14,840
2011 8,710 8,710 17,420
2009 1,000 1,750 2,750
Sums $18,950 $16,060 $35,010

Quality Performances

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Men
<2:15 18
Women
<2:40 3

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Tel Aviv Marathon". Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
  2. ^ Bauer, Thomas (2022-02-24). "Results and Photos: Tel Aviv Marathon 2022". HDsports. Retrieved 2022-02-28.
  3. ^ Israel, David (2022-02-25). "Tel Aviv Marathon Runners Brave Stormy Friday, 1 Runner Collapsed". JewishPress.com.
  4. ^ "Tel Aviv Marathon - Israel - Feb 25 2022". ahotu. Retrieved 2022-01-24.
  5. ^ "General Info". Retrieved January 13, 2013.
  6. ^ "Run for it! The Tel Aviv Marathon returns in March 2013!". igoogledisrael.com. 10 January 2013. Retrieved 2013-01-13.
  7. ^ "One runner dies, 12 seriously injured in Tel Aviv marathon". Haaretz.
  8. ^ "Foreigners barred from Tel Aviv marathon amid coronavirus fears". The Times of Israel.
  9. ^ "Tel Aviv Marathon Bans Intl. Runners over Coronavirus Fears". 26 February 2020.
  10. ^ "Lift Tel Aviv Marathon ban and promote spirit of courage". The Jerusalem Post | Jpost.com.
  11. ^ 2020 Tel Aviv Marathon Poster
  12. ^ "Tel Aviv to let foreign runners already in Israel compete in Friday's marathon". The Times of Israel.
  13. ^ Cohen, Moshe (2021-02-20). "עם יותר מ־20 אלף רצים: מרתון תל אביב במתכונתו הדיגיטלית" [With more than 20,000 runners: the Tel Aviv Marathon in its digital format]. Ma'ariv (in Hebrew).
  14. ^ Bauer, Thomas (2023-02-24). "Results: Tel Aviv Marathon 2023". 4sport. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  15. ^ Bauer, Thomas (2022-02-24). "Results and Photos: Tel Aviv Marathon 2022". HDsports. Retrieved 2022-02-28.
  16. ^ "4sport | מרתון סמסונג תל אביב 2020 - מובילי המרוץ".
  17. ^ "Tobias SINGER | Profile | World Athletics".
  18. ^ "Yelena TOLSTYKH | Profile | World Athletics".
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