More than 25,000 runners — cheered on by 100,000 spectators — are expected to take part in Israel’s largest race, the 2012 Tel Aviv Gillette Marathon, on Friday, March 30.
A whole roster of Marathon Festival activities is planned, including musical stages all along the running courses, special menus at cafes and restaurants along the seven routes, a family picnic area and array of activities at Rabin Square, and what’s billed as a non-stop party at the seaside Charles Clore Park with top DJs from Tel Aviv’s music scene.
Mayor Ron Huldai will serve as race starter, giving the signal for the marathon to begin at 6:30 a.m. at Clore Park. Runners will be able to choose a unique urban course this year that winds through Tel Aviv-Jaffa’s main thoroughfares, including Dizengoff Street and Rothschild Boulevard, and passes by iconic landmarks such as the Azrieli Towers, the Sarona Compound, Ramat Hachayal and Rabin Square.
Other options include a hand-cycle race, an inline skating race, a half marathon, a mini marathon for children, a 10K race and a 4.2K race.
Special kits for spectators, including a map of the marathon events and venues as well as cheering paraphernalia, are being distributed to some 250,000 households in the city.