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20,000 RUNNERS WORLDWIDE MAKING HISTORY AT DIGITAL TEL AVIV SAMSUNG MARATHON
* More than 20,000 participants from 33 countries join innovative Tel Aviv Marathon
* International challenge offers flights, entry to 2022 race
By Itzhak Rabihiya / SNN, Space Network News
Tel Aviv-Yafo, February 19 – The Tel Aviv Samsung Marathon 2021 is officially underway, bringing together more than 20,000 runners from 33 countries in an innovative and digital format to overcome challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Breaking down borders and time zones in a global celebration of sport, the digital edition of the Tel Aviv marathon sees running enthusiasts rally together from countries including Israel, the UAE, the United States, United Kingdom, Russia, Netherlands, Brazil and Italy.
The slogan "All Running Together Separately" is underpinning the event, which represents one of the first digital races of its kind worldwide. Runners – amateurs and professionals alike – are invited to excel and join thousands of other participants across the world at the same time, each one following a local course designed especially for him or her by a dedicated smartphone app.
The event, an initiative of Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality and produced by Kapaim, offers the following distances: Marathon (42.195 km.), half-marathon (21.1 km.), 10 km. and 5 km. Participants worldwide have been able to run their chosen distance from February 19 at 6 a.m. (IST) and the app will enable participation until February 25 at 9 p.m. (IST).
Runners are also submitting videos and photos of their participation as part of the Tel Aviv Samsung Marathon 2021 challenge – Feet Abroad, Heart In Tel Aviv – to stand a chance of winning free flights sponsored by the Israel Ministry of Tourism and entry to the Tel Aviv Marathon 2022.
Ron Huldai, Mayor of Tel Aviv-Yafo: "Even during this challenging year, I am happy that you have not given up on running. In the Nonstop City, even the marathon does not stop. So take a deep breath, and good luck to all the runners joining us from across the world. Ready? Set? Go!"
Ronen Salem, VP Marketing, Samsung Israel: "This year too, we have proved that everything is possible and we have not given up. Samsung enables everyone to maintain the new normal lifestyle. During the Tel Aviv Samsung Marathon 2021, we are all running, everyone separately, but as together as possible."
To participate in the race, runners have received a link to download a specially-designed smartphone race app and participation instructions. The app offers a localized running route, broadcasts a start line ceremony, provides interactive monitoring of race times, encouraging messages and playlists, and enables viewing and sharing of photos captured along race routes. Upon finishing the race, participants also receive a personalized certificate via the app.
Eagerly awaiting the return of the marathon to the streets of Tel Aviv in 2022, Tel Aviv Global & Tourism launched this year's marathon challenge – Feet Abroad, Heart In Tel Aviv. To compete for free flight tickets sponsored by the Israel Ministry of Tourism and entry to next year's marathon, participants are sending videos and pictures as they sprint through their hometown on race day, while sporting their marathon shirt.
An international team of prominent running and fitness influencers are also participating in the marathon, bringing the event to a large audience across social media. Leading influencers include Milind Usha Soman (India), Tatiana Serur (Mexico), Courtney Pruce (UK) and Elizabeth Savetsky (USA).
Tel Aviv-Yafo is already preparing to welcome runners back to the city for the 2022 marathon. The race, recognized as one of the world's top winter sporting events due to the city's warm year-long climate, sees participants enjoy a stunning 42 km. route winding its way through the beating heart of the city, running through Sarona, Rabin Square, Old Jaffa and alongside the white sandy beaches of the Mediterranean Sea.
SNN, Space Network News (www.spacenetworknews.com)
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