Scenes From Jerusalem Half Marathon and Marathon
The Jerusalem Half Marathon. (Photo: Flash 90)
Holy hills! The Jerusalem Half Marathon is now behind me and 15,550 other runners who tackled 10K, half and marathon races at the Jerusalem Marathon. I ran the race as part of a press trip sponsored by the Israeli Ministry of Tourism in cooperation with El Al Airlines. About 4,680 runners took on the half-marathon with me, mostly men. The event as a whole is 71 percent male. The women’s running boom hasn’t quite happened in Israel yet, it seems.
It was spectacularly scenic and easily the most difficult course I’ve ever run. Ever. No seriously, I mean it. Every runner I talked to agreed, including folks who have run 20-50 road marathons around the world. There are probably courses that are as difficult. But it’s hard to imagine a tougher one far as city marathons and half-marathons go. This was a road race with a trail profile. Between the hills—never ending climbs up never ending hills followed by quad-crushing descents—and the turns—more than 40 of them over 13.1 miles—this is not a course to run a personal best. The marathon is no different.
But the scenery makes up for it. At the tops of those hills are views of the Old City, the new city and Jordan in the distance. Around those turns are historic sites, charming neighborhoods and, sometimes, more hills.
So I sat back, relaxed, and enjoyed the ride…or at least the running equivalent. I haven’t even looked up my official time because I really don’t care. I ran with a GoPro camera, stopped and shot video, took pictures and just enjoyed the gorgeous course. My good friend, triathlon partner in crime, and Canadian journalist Tania, was there with me. One look at the photos, and you’ll see why we’re friends.
So here’s a sneak peak at the event. My full race report—with the nitty gritty details on the race, organization, course, and my experience of it all—is still to come when I get home from the trip!
Jerusalem Half Marathon Preview 
We’re running Jerusalem! 
Photo: Flash 90 
Photo: Flash 90 
Runners pass Tower of David. 
Tower of David 
Photo: Flash 90 
We’re having so much fun! 
The Jerusalem Half Marathon. (Photo: Flash 90) 
The Old City in the Distance 
Photo: Flash 90 
Finished! 
We did it!
About Karla Bruning
Karla Bruning is a regular contributor to SHAPE.com, the host of NYRR's On The Run web + TV show, and a race announcer at events like the TCS New York City Marathon. She used to report for Newsweek but spent her free time squeezing in workouts. Now she freelances as a running reporter. She's run 7 marathons, 20 halves, 6 triathlons, sings in an '80s cover band, spoils her dog + travels compulsively.
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Looks like you had a great race! Looking forward to reading about the nitty gritty details
Jojo @ RunFastEatLots recently posted..A Fresh Start on the First Day of Spring
It was fun and I have LOTS of thoughts about it. Stay tuned…
Karla Bruning recently posted..Run Disney’s Avengers Half Marathon For Charity
I hadn’t even thought about Jerusalem being on hills. Can’t wait to read the recap.
Lesley recently posted..A “Frozen” Day
So hilly! Crazy hilly! Insanely hilly! That said, I had no idea until I looked at the course elevation map!
Karla Bruning recently posted..Run Disney’s Avengers Half Marathon For Charity
WOW, I love all the pictures!! I bet this was such an awesome race. I can’t wait to hear all about how you tackled the hills and came out victorious!
Kristina @ Blog About Running recently posted..Boy Meets World, DIY Projects for the Weekend & 10 Miles
Thanks, Kristina! LOTS more photos to come.
Karla Bruning recently posted..Run Disney’s Avengers Half Marathon For Charity
Fantastic photos!! Looks like you had a great time!
Lauren @ Lauren’s Glass Slipper recently posted..Race Prep – Alamo 13.1
I did, thanks!
Karla Bruning recently posted..Run Disney’s Avengers Half Marathon For Charity
I’m really looking forward to reading more about this race. I would really want to run a race internationally!
Ashley @ Snow Cream and Syrup recently posted..Skiing Killington on a Gorgeous Day
I’ve run a few races in Canada, but this was my first one outside North America (unless you count Hawaii way out there in the Pacific
Karla Bruning recently posted..Run Disney’s Avengers Half Marathon For Charity
How cool! Looking forward to hearing more about this race!
Thanks, Cheri! Lots more to tell…
Karla Bruning recently posted..Run Disney’s Avengers Half Marathon For Charity
Amazing!! I can’t wait for all the details – the pictures look amazing!! Glad you were able to enjoy the difficult course.
Emily recently posted..Weekly Training Review
Taking it slow was the best way to enjoy it. I really felt like I took it all in.
Karla Bruning recently posted..Run Disney’s Avengers Half Marathon For Charity
Looks absolutely stunning! I can’t wait for the recap!
Kellie recently posted..Week in Training (and Cooking was a Joke) 3/17 – 3/23
I was beautiful!
Karla Bruning recently posted..Run Disney’s Avengers Half Marathon For Charity
Looks incredible, such an experience! So excited for you that you were able to do this!!
Laura @losingrace recently posted..Boston Training: Still on the Roller Coaster
Thanks, Laura! I felt really lucky to be there.
Karla Bruning recently posted..Run Disney’s Avengers Half Marathon For Charity
Good sneak peak. The scenery looks amazing. I like the dual ‘Toyota jump’ photo! Looking forward to your detailed report.
Ewen recently posted..Great racing!
Haha, I forgot about the Toyota jump! “Oh what a feeling!”
Karla Bruning recently posted..Run Disney’s Avengers Half Marathon For Charity
Wow, this is exactly why I want to run an international race somewhere! I know there are many scenic races in the US, but you’re not going to get anything quite like this or a race in Europe somewhere! Looks like such an amazing experience!
Danielle recently posted..RACE RECAP – 2014 New York 13.1
Exactly. Lots of gorgeous scenery in the U.S. But I love traveling to places that put me out of my comfort zone a bit, that surprise me and bring history to life. Jerusalem definitely fit the bill.
Karla Bruning recently posted..Run Disney’s Avengers Half Marathon For Charity
Wow, what a cool experience to have! Looks amazing!
Scott recently posted..Back on Track (literally)
It was!
Karla Bruning recently posted..Run Disney’s Avengers Half Marathon For Charity
Wow….what an adventure. Overseas races provide such a new and different experience. It must have been strange with a field of runners skewed so heavily with males. The scenery looks breathtaking and what a way to soak up a city with a half marathon. Look forward to more of your posts on Jerusalem!
Pam recently posted..Friday Five: Core Values of the Running Community
I purposefully looked up the male-female ratio because I felt so outnumbered on the course. And many of the women running had heads and legs covered, wearing tights with skirts over them. It was really different to run a race in a place where many people are much more religiously conservative than in the U.S. I certainly wasn’t the only woman in shorts, but there were just as many NOT in shorts and it was a HOT day!
Karla Bruning recently posted..Run Disney’s Avengers Half Marathon For Charity
Holy Hills is right! What a place for my first half!
Congrats, Joey! Pick just about any other road race and I promise your second half will be easier!
Karla Bruning recently posted..Alpine Skiing in St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria
Lovely photos. Glad you had a good time.
Elle recently posted..Interview with Paddy Runs for Boston
I ran the Jerusalem half marathon, too, and I’ve been waiting for your final report. Are you ever going to post it?
Thanks for your patience, Avital! Yes, I’ll have it up in June. I ended up filming the course as I ran and it has taking me longer than anticipated to put the video together, since video editing is new for me!
Karla Bruning recently posted..How To Run Faster? Run With The Fast Crowd
Wow–video?! I’m really looking forward to seeing that! I’ve seen the YouTube videos of the race but never one taken with a GoPro. Good luck with the editing!
Avital recently posted..Jerusalem Marathon 2014
Thanks! It’s the first time I’ve ever run with a GoPro!
Karla Bruning recently posted..How To Run Faster? Run With The Fast Crowd