IN PICTURES: Tens of thousands run in Jerusalem marathon
Though the first leg of the marathon began at 7:00 a.m., Israel Police were already blocking off the city's roadways at 5:45 a.m.
By JPOST.COM STAFFUpdated: MARCH 17, 2017 14:12Israeli Olympic medalist Ori Sasson runs in the 2017 Jerusalem Marathon with Shalva (credit: SHALVA)
The Jerusalem Marathon kicked off from Gan Sacher park on Friday morning with about 30,000 people registered to participate in the event. The winner of the full marathon was a 26-year old man from Kenya named Shadrack Kipkogey, with a time of 2:17:36, according to the the Jerusalem Municipality.Aerial images of the marathon.(photo credit: ISRAEL POLICE)Though the first leg of the marathon began at 7:00 a.m., Israel Police were already blocking off the city's roadways at 5:45 a.m.Runners in the 2017 Jerusalem marathon (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)Some 3,000 police officers, working in coordination with the Jerusalem Municipality and private security personnel, were out in increased numbers due to threats from members of the haredi (Ultra-orthodox) community that they would attempt to disrupt the marathon. So far, about 40 haredim were been stopped for questioning on various streets near the marathon's path.Ariel footage shows Haredi protestors.(photo credit: ISRAEL POLICE)Other protestors were photographed French News Agency AFP, holding signs claiming that the marathon ran through occupied land.Demonstrators protest against Jerusalem's annual marathon.(photo credit: AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP)Among the marathon participants were children with disabilities, who participated with the help of Aleh, and organization that improves the lives of those with disabilities. Volunteers help children with disabilities participate in the Jerusalem Marathon. (photo credit: COURTESY OF ALEH)Volunteers included Police Commissioner Insp.- Gen. Roni Alsheich and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat. Volunteers help children with disabilities participate in the Jerusalem Marathon. (photo credit: COURTESY OF ALEH)Among the Marathon's more notable runners was Olympic medalist Ori Sasson, who led Team Shalva. Shalva is the Israel Association for Care and Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities.Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat at the start of the marathon (photo credit: JERUSALEM MUNICIPALITY)Runners in the Jerusalem Marathon (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)Israeli olympic medalist Ori Sasson raises money for Shalva, the Israel Association for Care and Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (photo credit: SHALVA)