March 25, 2011
Three Kenyans take Jerusalem marathon
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Three Kenyans won first, second and third place in Jerusalem’s first marathon.
Raymond Kipkoechh, 34, was first to cross the finish line Friday with a time of 2:26:44.
Second place was taken by Mutai Kopkorir, 24 with a time of 2:26:55 and third was Kiman Njorage, 33 at 2:27:19.
The first three women were: Oda Worknesh, 26 of Ethiopa with a time of 2:50:05; Rosaline David, 35 of Kenya at 2:50:06; and Wioletta Kryza, 42, of Poland at 2:51:21.
More than 10,000 runners—over a thousand from 40 countries, the rest local—ran a hilly, challenging race that included the Old City, the Mount of Olives, the promenade overlooking the Holy Basin and the Knesset.
Jerusalem’s mayor, Nir Barkat, ran in the marathon and said it was a triumph over the terrorists who planted a bomb Wednesday at Jerusalem’s central bus station that killed one woman and wounded dozens.
“Just two days ago our city was targeted once again by a deadly terrorist attack, but our people and our city are strong—and the terrorists will not prevent us from running on this important day,” Barkat said.
The run was sponsored by the city, its development authority and Israel’s tourism ministry.
A number of teams raised money for a variety of charities.
