(JTA) — Jerusalem’s sixth annual marathon is expected to attract a record number of foreign participants despite the wave of violence that began in October.
Some 754 runners outside Israel have registered for the March 18 race, more than double the number at this time last year, the Times of Israel reported Thursday.
Altogether, 5,384 runners have registered for the marathon. Countries represented include Uzbekistan, Argentina, Hong Kong, Austria, Singapore, Turkey, the United States and Switzerland. Sixty runners are coming from China alone.
“The number of applicants who have registered so far for the marathon indicates that Israelis and tourists are not allowing terrorism to paralyze the city or their daily routine,” Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat said, according to the Times of Israel.
Last year, Tadesse Yaee Dahbi of Ethiopia won the race, completing the route in 2 hours, 18 minutes and 20 seconds.
Registration is accepted until March 2. Runners can elect to participate in the full 26.2-mile route or various shorter ones.
