# Tel Aviv Marathon

The Tel Aviv Marathon is a major marathon held annually in Tel Aviv, Israel, in February. Inaugurated in 1981, it was held annually until 1994. In 2009, it was revived and has been taking place annually since, attracting about 40,000 runners in 2022. The race was not held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a digital event was held instead.
The 2022 edition took place on 25 February. Vincent Kipsang Rono of Kenya and Bikaya Mantamar of Israel were the men’s and women’s winners, respectively.

## History

The marathon is one of Tel Aviv's core annual international events. The Tel Aviv Marathon is a multi-course event allowing both professional and hobbyist runners to take part. The event includes an Inline Skating Half Marathon, and a 30 km Handcycle race for people with special needs. Marathon runners run along the seashore and main streets of Tel Aviv, an official UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Some 35,000 runners were expected to take part in the 2013 marathon, with a range of different courses on offer. Due to unexpectedly high temperatures, the marathon did not take place as originally scheduled on March 15, 2013. Other races scheduled as part of the event, including the half marathon, 10 km races, 4.2 km race, and children's race did take place, but started earlier in the day than originally scheduled. Despite the precautions, one runner died, and twelve others were seriously injured.
For the 2020 edition of the marathon, although foreigners were initially banned from competing due to concerns regarding the coronavirus pandemic, the Ministry of Health partially lifted the ban days before the competition and allowed "diplomats, foreign residents, and international residents" that were already in Israel to participate in the marathon.
In 2021, the marathon did not take place due to the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, a virtual event was held, using a dedicated app which remained available for a week and a half to allow runners to choose a time and location of their choice and receive information on their distance and running time in the app.

### Course records

The men's course record is 2:10:11, set in the 2023 edition by Dominic Kipngeno Mibei of Kenya.
The Israeli men's course record is 2:24:14, set in the 2022 edition by Ageze Guadie.
The women's course record is 2:35:51, set in the 2017 edition by Margaret Njuguna of Kenya.
The Israeli women's course record is 2:51:23, set in the 2020 edition by Irene-Orr Konovalov.

### Past winners

Key: Course record
| Date | Men's winner | Time | Women's winner | Time | Refs |
| 24 Feb 2023 | Dominic Kipngeno Mibei (KEN) | 2:10:11 | Margaret Njuguna (KEN) | 2:42:40 | |
| 25 Feb 2022 | Vincent Rono (KEN) | 2:12:55 | Mintamir Bikaya (ISR) | 2:53:01 | |
| 2021 | Virtual event | Virtual event | Virtual event | Virtual event | |
| 27 Feb 2020 | Tobias Singer (GER) | 2:31:01 | Elena Tolstykh (RUS) | 2:44:17 | |
| 22 Feb 2019 | Samuel Demie (ETH) | 2:14:31 | Margaret Njuguna (KEN) | 2:40:26 | |
| 23 Feb 2018 | Ernest Kebenei (KEN) | 2:19:53 | Margaret Njuguna (KEN) | 2:58:18 | |
| 24 Feb 2017 | Belete Mekonen (ETH) | 2:12:12 | Margaret Njuguna (KEN) | 2:35:51 | |
| 26 Feb 2016 | William Yegon (KEN) | 2:10:50 | Lonah Chemtai (KEN) | 2:40:16 | |
| 27 Feb 2015 | William Yegon (KEN) | 2:10:30 | Azeb Weldehawariat (ETH) | 2:51:24 | |
| 28 Feb 2014 | Ezekiel Kiprop (KEN) | 2:14:40 | Margaret Njuguna (KEN) | 2:44:23 | |
| 2013 | Did not held | Did not held | Did not held | Did not held | Did not held |
| 30 Mar 2012 | Samuel Tarus (KEN) | 2:15:15 | Abeba Tolla (ETH) | 2:38:27 | |
| 08 Apr 2011 | Josphat Rono (KEN) | 2:19:02 | Worknesh Shashe (ETH) | 2:40:35 | |
| 14 May 2010 | Avraham Hailemelkot (ISR) | 2:49:34 | Orna Blau (ISR) | 3:13:30 | |
| 24 Apr 2009 | Daniel Kipchumba (KEN) | 2:38:06 | Orna Blau (ISR) | 3:07:41 | |
| 1995–2008 | Did not held | Did not held | Did not held | Did not held | Did not held |
| 15 Mar 1994 | Gezahenge Birra (ETH) | 2:19:37 | Czesława Mentlewicz (POL) | 2:40:44 | |
| 15 Mar 1993 | Aiduna Aitnafa (ETH) | 2:21:37 | Cinzia Allasia (ITA) | 3:10:57 | |
| 16 Mar 1992 | Tumo Turbo (ETH) | 2:14:56 | Alina Magamedirova (RUS) | 2:47:47 | |
| 15 Apr 1991 | Tsegaye Segne (ETH) | 2:19:50 | Loredana Ricci (ITA) | 2:58:12 | |
| 15 Mar 1990 | Hannu Korkalainen (FIN) | 2:30:32 | Loredana Ricci (ITA) | 3:20:12 | |
| 16 Mar 1989 | Osmiro Silva (BRA) | 2:13:23* | Czesława Mentlewicz (POL) | 2:53:18* | |
| 06 Mar 1988 | Jean-Claude Louison (FRA) | 2:22:21 | Adriana Barbu (ROM) | 2:44:03 | |
| 19 Mar 1987 | Michel Constant (FRA) | 2:23:27 | Erika Kruger (FRG) | 3:26:28 | |
| 03 Mar 1986 | Michel Schwind (FRA) | 2:30:05 | Elena Murgoci (ROM) | 2:49:32 | |
| 07 Mar 1985 | Jean-Michel Charbonnel (FRA) | 2:23:06 | Lise Kristiansen (DEN) | 3:01:27 | |
| 19 Mar 1984 | Gheorghe Sandu (ROM) | 2:27:05 | n/a | --- | |
| 28 Feb 1983 | Alan Mc Gay (GBR) | 2:22:34 | n/a | --- | |
| 09 Mar 1982 | Yves Seigneuric (FRA) Claude Minni (FRA) | 2:26:56 | Navah Ezra (ISR) | 4:31:15 | |
| 19 Mar 1981 | Jean-Michel Charbonnel (FRA) | 2:35:47 | Zahava Eliasi (NED) | 4:02:51 | |
Notes: 1981 was the inaugural year. The course used for the 1989 race was 1,750 m too short, due to marking mistakes. https://arrs.run/HP_TelAvivMa.htm

### Prize Money (ADR qualified runners)

| Year | Men | Woman | Total |
| 2012 | $9,240 | $5,600 | $14,840 |
| 2011 | 8,710 | 8,710 | 17,420 |
| 2009 | 1,000 | 1,750 | 2,750 |
| Sums | $18,950 | $16,060 | $35,010 |

### Quality Performances

| Men | |
| <2:15 | 18 |
| Women | |
| <2:40 | 3 |