Race Report – Jerusalem Half Marathon – 9 Mar 00
Executive
Version
Overall
1:52:26, Enjoyed this well supported and well-run race on a hilly course.
Background
I am a US Army officer, currently
assigned to the Multinational Forces and Observers peacekeeping force along the
Israel and Egypt border, and live in El Gorah, Egypt. Most of my training runs are within the confines of our flat base
camp. However, a week before the race I
had the opportunity to complete two training runs in hilly Jerusalem. In particular, a run around the walled old
city of Jerusalem is scenic, but difficult due to the steep declines and
climbs. The training runs in Jerusalem
helped me work on pacing and prepare for the long hills in this historic city.
Pre-Race
The race was scheduled for Thursday
morning, which avoids the Jewish and Arab Holy days of Friday and
Saturday. On the other hand, this meant
weekday traffic. The race start and
finish were at Teddy Stadium, a large soccer stadium located west of the old
city. A friend and I arrived about an
hour before the race and began the rituals of pinning on our race number and
stretching. In conjunction with the
Half Marathon, there were also 10 km and 4.2 km races scheduled. Our schedule said the half marathon started
first, but shortly before 10 AM we saw many soldier and youth groups lining-up
to race. Since all of the
announcements were in Hebrew, it took several hurried inquiries to learn that
the order of start was reversed and we still had 15 minutes until our race
would start. I am not certain of the
number of starters, but it looked like about 200 for the 10K, 200 for the 4.2K
and 150 for the Half Marathon. I
understand the mayor of Jerusalem won his age group in the 10K.
Visitors to the Holy Lands will understand that while it is
generally safe, security is usually apparent at crowd events. The race start area was no exception with
soldiers standing guard from the stadium towers. Another interesting sight was the soldier guarding stacks of
M-16s as his friends ran the race.
The
Race
Race morning was cool and calm. Early morning temperature in the 30’s
increased to the 50s by race start and 60s at the finish. With a countdown in Hebrew and clap of a
starter’s pistol, the race began. The
first kilometer was around the stadium and then we began the long climb. The first 7 kilometers wound uphill,
followed by a short, steep downhill, and a steep uphill. Maintaining 5 minute kilometers required a
heart rate that could not be maintained for two hours. Mercifully, we hit a flat stretch, passed
the Knesset, and wound our way into the Jerusalem Forest. The steady downhill, shade, and greenery
made the Forest a favored part of the course.
As we left the Forest, the course turned back to the South and we
climbed. For me this was the hardest
part of the course. The earlier
exertion and winding hill made it difficult to maintain headway. During many of the intersections the runners
exacted revenge on the driving public.
Our running steps were accompanied by the honks of impatient drivers
stranded at closed intersections.
Finally we reached the high point on the course and entered a steady
downhill to the finish at Teddy Stadium.
As we approached the Stadium, one small hill remained and then ¾ around
the inside of the stadium to the finish line.
At the finish line, each racer had a silver medallion on a blue and
white string placed around their neck.
Reflections
This was a well-organized and well-run
event. The weather was perfect and I
was happy with a better time than a flat half marathon in February.
Jim
Bruckart, M.D.
