New record in Tel Aviv marathon as Kenyan wins race
Despite last year's tragedy, race proceeds without incident as Kenyan Ezekiel Koech breaks local record. 'I hope to come again next year,' Koech says at end of race
The winner of Tel Aviv's Samsung-sponsored marathon is Ezekiel Koech from Kenya. Koech broke the race's record by completing the marathon in 2 hours, 14 minutes and 40 seconds.
Some 40,000 people participated in Friday's marathon, which proceeded without incident after last year's race resulted in the death a runner after a heat wave hit Tel Aviv.
"I am very happy with my result," the 28-year-old Kenyan said at the end of the race. "Weather was good, not so difficult. I hope to come again next year."
Nonetheless, MDA paramedics administered medical care to roughly 15 runners who participated in Friday's race. Five of the wounded, including a 15-year-old boy, suffered heatstroke and were taken to the hospital in moderate to serious condition.
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everal main streets in central Tel Aviv were closed to traffic Friday due to the marathon, and according to the Meteo-Tech company, comfortable weather conditions were felt, with a maximum of 20 degrees. Temperatures were not expected to reach heatwave levels.
Tel Aviv Municipality felt confident before the race in light of the optimistic weather forecast: "The Municipality will follow instructions given by the Health Ministry and the doctors patrolling the marathon route.
"The organizers are prepared to stop the marathon at any stage if the heat exceeds the limit approved by the committee. In addition, the amount of bottles of water distributed to runners is far greater than what the committee demanded."
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Last year's marathon was overshadowed by the death of Michael Michaelvich, a 30-year old sergeant major in the IDF who died after falling ill while participating in the 2013 Tel Aviv half-marathon.
Dozens of runners were hit by the massive heat last year: 80 participants needed medical treatment during and after the race.
Magen David Adom medics initially reported that the injured were unconscious and undergoing artificial respiration, a few even requiring CPR.
The calm weather expected Friday has officials feeling hopeful that the 2014 marathon will run as planned.
Make way for the runners
According to the municipality's website, the following streets will be alternately closed between 4:00 – 13:00 for traffic and parking:
North Tel Aviv: Rokach Blvd., HaTa'arucha St., Levi Eshkol St., Shai Agnon St., Yunizman St, the Tel Aviv Port, Road 2040 and Glilot Junction.
West Tel Aviv: Hayarkon St., Herbert Samuel St., Koifman St. and Goldman St.
Central Tel Aviv: Dizengoff St., Allenby St., Tarsat St., Ben Gurion Avenue, Menachem Begin Road, Kaplan St., Hashmonaim St., Ibn Gabirol St. and Marmurek St.
South Tel Aviv and Jaffa: Jerusalem Avenue, Hertzel St., Elifelet St. and Haaliya Hashniya St..
Furthermore, traffic will be blocked on all streets bordering and crossing the abovementioned streets.
Namir Way/Menachem Begin Rd. will be closed to traffic from 7:30 – 10:30 between Glilot and Tnuva junction. Ayalon Highway will remain open throughout the race, but entrances and exits for Rokach, Halacha and HaShalom interchanges will be closed.
See the marathon website for more details.
Shahar Chai and Gilad Morag contributed to this report.
