Jerusalem Marathon

The Jerusalem Marathon is my home race and I've completed the full course three times as well as the half distance on two occasions (officially). Starting with Israel's Parliament (the Knesset) to your right and the Israel museum to your left, the route passes the newly opened national library, before going around the Givat Ram campus of Hebrew University and then down past the Supreme Court. The next major site is the home of the President and then up into town and out and back on a very up and down route towards Mount Scopus with views to the Dead Sea and Jordan. Runners enter the Old City via the Jaffa Gate, passing David's Citadel, and going through the Armenian Qtr before exiting at the Zion Gate and going back to the new city. The route continues to wind around, passing the President's residence for a second time, passing through trendy Emek Refaim St and back past the First Station complex before going onto the Armon Hanatziv promenade with a view towards the Old City. From here you're getting close to the end but there is time for some more hills before you get there including one which will drain the final strength from your legs at km 39. The crowds are not huge although certain sections are pretty busy. Did I mention that it's hilly? Come prepared psychologically that just when you thought you're done with the uphills there's always one more around the corner.