Tel Aviv Samsung Marathon is seeking a new record and is offering a cash prize of $40,000 to anyone who can clock in with a result of under 2:07:59.
City officials expect over 35,000 runners to take part in the Marathon 2016 event – that also includes a 21-km semi-marathon, 10-km race, 5-km race, hand-cycle race and mini-marathon for kids.
Of the participants, 1,500 runners are flying in from around the world.
The race will also host a large delegation of senior international elite runners attempting to break the Tel Aviv Marathon record. Kenyan athlete William Kiprono Yegon won last year’s race when he clocked in at 2:10:30.
The marathon route this year will follow an urban route from the Tel Aviv Convention Center to along the Tel Aviv boardwalk and over to Jaffa.
“The marathon is a celebration for the sport lovers, the residents of the city and its visitors. The Tel Aviv-Yafo Marathon is one of the most spectacular races in Israel and it stands in one line with the great marathons in the world,” said Ron Huldai, Mayor of Tel Aviv-Yafo.
The marathon happening usually attracts some 150,000 people who come out to cheer.