Last updated: 9:00 PM ET, Wed September 30, 2026
WHY IT RATES: Marathon Israel is organizing a new series of four unique running events in Israel this fall, combining athletic challenges with nature, music, and community experiences in various regions such as the Western Negev, Gezer vineyards, Hula Lake, and Eilat's desert.
A new series of running events will take place in Israel this fall, organized by Marathon Israel. Four races in different regions of the country will combine athletic challenge with nature, music, and community experiences.
Race of Hope will take place on October 16th, in the Western Negev Fields, and will open the series. This is a new race being held for the first time, in which participants will encounter special stations along the route dedicated to commemoration and revival. The race offers four various distances, ranging from a short 3 km family route to a 22 km course.
Israel's Beaujolais Race will take place a week later, on October 23rd, in the vineyards of the Gezer Regional Council, inspired by the French Beaujolais harvest celebrations. The event offers a friendly activity which includes running through the vineyards while dressed in costumes, wine tastings and music. The race is intended for ages 18 and above and includes three distances of 5, 8 and 12 km.
Crane Race will take place on October 30th at Hula Lake in the Upper Galilee, in partnership with KKL-JNF. The flat course runs through the heart of the nature reserve, among the landscapes of the Hula Valley, the Golan Heights and the Naftali Mountains, in a region that attracts tens of thousands of migrating cranes each year. The race offers a half marathon distance of 21.1 km, as well as 10 and 4 km courses.
Eilat International Desert Marathon will close the series on November 27th , in partnership with the Eilat Municipality. It is the only marathon in Israel held entirely in a desert setting and is recognized by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS). The route commences from the Eilat promenade toward the Southern Arava region and winds through mountains, sea and desert valleys. The event offers four distances, 5, 10, 21.1 and 42.2 km, and draws thousands of runners from Israel and tourists from around the world each year.
Ofer Padan, CEO of Marathon Israel said: "We are proud to present four unique races, each different in character and atmosphere, across various regions of Israel, from the Upper Galilee to Eilat.The event begins on October 16th with the moving Race of Hope, which we are holding for the first time in the Western Negev Fields, and which symbolizes, more than anything, the ability of the people of Israel to rise from disaster to revival. A week later, we will hold the Beaujolais Run in a joyful, festive atmosphere, with strong appreciation for Israeli wines. The following week, we head north to the Upper Galilee for a run through one of Israel's most beautiful nature reserves, supporting residents and businesses in the North, and at the end of November we head down to Eilat for the desert marathon, amid the area's stunning landscapes. All these events offer participants a wonderful opportunity to get to know beautiful parts of the country and contribute to local businesses and tourism. We promise participants an unforgettable experience at every one of these races."
SOURCE: Israel Ministry of Tourism press release.
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