Ein Gedi Half Marathon

By Petal Mashraki | Published on 7/14/2019

Shalom Marathon or Dead Sea Half Marathon

when: Annually in February. February 16th, 2013
Where: Starting from the Ein Gedi Spa, Dead Sea, Israel.

This annual half marathon is organized by the Tamar Regional Council and has been held for the last 19 years. Each year the road race has grown in importance and in the number of participants. This marathon has the unique statues of being the “Lowest Race on Earth” as the starting line is at the Ein Gedi Spa on the shore of the Dead Sea – the lowest point on Earth. The dramatically dry and hot weather of the Dead Sea region makes this a particularly challenging race although the race is held in February when the weather is relatively mild. The marathon route runs along the shores of the Dead Sea past striking scenery and Mount Masada.
Runners can choose to compete in 5 competitions: half marathon, 10km race, 5km race, walking competition, children’s competition or the hand-bike half marathon. The Ein Gedi Marathon is also called the Shalom Marathon as it strives to promote peace and cooperation between the different sectors of society. In 1999 the Palestinian flag was carried during the race as a symbol of peace. Runners come to the Dead Sea from around the world often taking first place. In 1997 Bernard Boiya from Kenya took first place.