Despite its small size, Israel offers the marathon runner a considerable choice of marathon courses to run - from desert scenery in the south of the country, to historical sites in Jerusalem, to Mediterranean seaside city shores in Tel Aviv as well as the lowest international marathon around Sea of Galilee in Tiberias - and all with favorable weather conditions. Below are a selection of major international marathons taking place in Israel in the winter 2014 and spring of 2015. Get in training now!


THE FIRST EILAT INTERNATIONAL DESERT MARATHON - NOVEMBER 28, 2014

The First Eilat International Desert Marathon and the fourth Half Desert Marathon will take place on 28 November 2014, offering participants from Israel and overseas the opportunity to enjoy a sports competition that winds its way through the desert scenery behind the resort city of Eilat on the Red Sea - a great way to combine sports with rest and relaxation in the warm winter sun of the Red Sea.

Participants can choose between a full marathon (42.1), half-marathon (21) 10k or 5k distance course, all of which begin and end at the Big Shopping Center on the northern edge of Eilat. There is even a 2K race for the children, with events to keep them entertained.

The course takes the runners through breathtaking scenery of the picturesque Holland Forest , climbs up along Roded creek, past the remains of an old gold mine in the Tuchin valley and then continues upwards towards the Shchoret mountain.

Registration ends November 10, 2014.


THE TIBERIAS INTERNATIONAL MARATHON - JANUARY 9, 2015

The 38th Tiberias International Marathon, to be held on January 9th, 2015, is the world's lowest international marathon - held at some 200 meters below sea level in the Jordan Valley over a  42.195 km flat and fast asphalt course. The Marathon course follows the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee set against breathtaking rustic landscape, and winding through ancient historical landmarks in the Jordan Valley. It is an out and back course, from the main streets of Tiberias along the Sea of Galilee, crossing the Jordan River up to the turning point at Kibbutz Ein- Gev and back to Tiberias.


ISRAMAN EILAT - JANUARY 30, 2015

As the full moon comes to an end at the break of dawn on Friday the 30 of January, 2015, thousands of athletes and their supporters will once again stand ready to enter the clear blue waters of the Red Sea, ready to confront one of the toughest triathlon races in the world – Israman.
Israman's reputation and international recognition keeps growing year after year with an increasing number of participants. What began in 1999 – as an intimate competition with only a few athletes, has grown and developed, quantitatively and qualitatively, to become one of the major international competitions in the country.

A professional experienced team is working hard to ensure that all of the athletes and their support crew, will have an unforgettable experience in Eilat. In order to allow more athletes to experience the Israman, a Triathlon relay race is offered, in which each athlete participates in one leg of the race (swimming, cycling or running). The Israman team also offers help in finding partners to compose a Triathlon relay race team.
A multidisciplinary team has been established to promote the race and improve the athletes' experience beginning at the registration process, to the improved racecourse and the ongoing improvement of the overall experience for the athletes and their accompanying parties.
Early registration - until May 19, 2014.
Regular registration - until August 31, 2014
Late registration - until November 18, 2015
Last minute registration - until January 11, 2015


TEL AVIV SAMSUNG MARATHON - FEBRUARY 27, 2015

An estimated 40,000 runners from Israel and abroad are expected to participate in the 2015 Tel Aviv Marathon which will take place on February 27, 2015 . The marathon will begin at Rokach Blvd, passing through the main streets and sites of the city, including Rothschild Blvd. and the White City, Tel Aviv Port and the shore line, Azrieli Center, Sarona, the beach promenade and Ha’Yarkon Park, Old Jaffa and its port, Ibn Gabirol St., Rabin Square and Dizengoff St.

A record number of 150,000 people are expected to participate in the Marathon and its various events while cheering stations and music stages will be built along the route. The Marathon will end at a huge happening at Ganei Yehoshua.

The Tel Aviv Samsung Marathon includes a full marathon of 42.195 km, a half-marathon of 21 km, a 10 km race. a 5 km race. a hand-cycle race and a Mini-Marathon for kids- 420 meters.

Early registration - before November 29, 2014.
Regular registration - from November 30, 2014 to January 24, 2015
Late registration - from January 25,  2015 to February 22, 2015


JERUSALEM INTERNATIONAL WINNER MARATHON - MARCH 13, 2015

The Jerusalem International Winner Marathon, taking place on March 13, 2015, offers runners the chance to compete in a setting of unparalleled natural and cultural beauty unlike any other international marathon course.  The topography of the city lends itself to a challenging route that will test even the most experienced of runners.  At the same time, the course takes the runner on a unique path through Jerusalem’s 2000 year historical narrative, on the cobblestones of the ancient and holy walled city of Jerusalem and through the modern city center of Israel’s capital. The course includes the city’s best known sites including, among others, the Knesset, the Old City, Sultan's Pool, Mount Zion, the German Colony, the Jerusalem Promenade and the Mount of Olives.  The events include a full marathon, a half-marathon, a 10Km race and a 4.2 Km run – all of which pass through Jerusalem’s unique landscape, rich in history, religion and culture. A Health and Sport expo will take place March 10-12, 2015.

Early registration - before November 10, 2014.
Regular registration - to January 12, 2015
Late registration - February 23, 2015