Dashing Competitors

Two septuagenarian participants in the Tel Aviv Marathon events explain how running keeps them young.

By ALLON SINAI
The 2015 Tel Aviv Marathon (photo credit: REUTERS)
The 2015 Tel Aviv Marathon
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Yair Israel’s relationship with running began in tragic circumstances. After surviving the 1960 Agadir earthquake in Morocco, which killed two of his sisters and 54 members of his extended family, the starving 15-year-old was forced to run for many kilometers after an army truck handing out bread.
Three years later, he made his way to Israel, and some 30 years ago, he picked up running once more – again in grim circumstances. After suffering a serious head injury when he was hit by a tractor during construction work, a doctor suggested that perhaps sports could help him cope with the headaches he was having.
“I suffered a lot from migraines after the accident, and a doctor suggested that I do something to help relieve the tension, because that is one of the causes of migraines,” he says. “He suggested I choose a sport, and that same day I began running. I started off do - ing a kilometer and saw it helped me, and I have been running ever since.
Indeed, the Kiryat Gat resident, who recently celebrated his 70th birthday, will take part in the full Tel Aviv marthon for the fourth time today (Friday), less than two months after completing the Tiberias marathon and two weeks before he runs the 42.195- km. course in Jerusalem.
At an age when most people just want to lie back and relax, there are those like Israel and like 73-year-old Oscar Fryszer who keep on running.
Fryszer only began running five years ago following his retirement, and he will be undertaking a half-ma athon for the first time in Tel Aviv.
He may lack Israel’s experience, but he more than makes up for it with his youthful exuberance.
“I never thought I would run a half-marathon. When I started running, it was as much about being around young company and enjoying the scenery as it was about running,” says Fryszer, who has nine grandchildren from three daughters. “I receiveenergy from the youngsters, and it gives me a very special feeling. They accept me as one of their own, and I never thought it would be like that.”
Approximately 40,000 runners will participate in six races taking place as part of the 2015 Tel Aviv Marathon festivities today. Over 2,000 runners will take part in the full marathon, which will pass through Dizengoff Street, Rothschild Boulevard, Rabin Square and the promenade, among other sites.
Fryszer practices twice a week with a community running group, consisting of around 60 people and set up by Adidas.
“The youngest is around 16-17, and I’m the oldest. But there is no difference between us all, because we are all running together,” he explains.
He was initially wary about taking on a half-marathon, but the group’s coach, Einav, encouraged him to do so.
“I felt I could do more, and I asked the coach if perhaps I wasn’t overdoing it,” he says. “He told me that as long as I feel good and I’m enjoying it, I can run a half-marathon.”
Fryszer, who lives in Tel Aviv, is a retired architect who moved to Israel from Argentina in 1969. He also runs by himself on the weekends and pa ticipates in Pilates classes.
Israel’s training regime is far more simple. He isn’t part of any running groups and isn’t involved in any New Age activities. He just puts on his running shoes and hits the road outside his home in Kiryat Gat.
He has run over 30 marathons to date and plans to complete four this year alone.
Last year, he took part in the Sovev Emek ultra-marathon, running the 166-km. course in and around the Jezreel Valley.
Not only does he not find it more difficult with each passing year, he says he actually feels running has become easier for him.
“I’ve been training for a long time, so my body is used to running,” explains Israel, who has four sons and nine grandchildren. “I’m not saying that it isn’t difficult, but I think that today I find it easier than I used to. I have experience, and as I don’t take long breaks, I always remain in good shape. Fortunately that helps me avoid injuries.”
Four years ago, he decided to run almost the entire Israel National Trail, completing 940 km. over 24 days, to raise awareness of the danger of earthquakes. The run also raised money for a park in Ashdod in memory of the 1,500 Jews killed in the Agadir earth - quake – half of the local community.
He recalls his own miraculous survival after being buried under the rubble of his home in the disaster, which killed 12,000 people in total.
“After two days without food, I had to run after a truck which was hand - ing out bread. I don’t know how long I ran for, but perhaps that is where my connection with running began,” he says.
And he has no intention of slowing down anytime soon.
“I don’t see myself stopping. As long as I’m capable of running, I will continue.”