Tel Aviv marathon (archive)
Tel Aviv marathon (archive)Israel news photo: Flash 90

The 2015 Tel Aviv marathon has begun on the wrong foot Friday, after two 30 year-old runners were taken to Ichilov Hospital in critical condition - and after 75 additional people were injured. 

Magen David Adom (MDA) medics rushed to resuscitate one man Friday morning, after he collapsed during the race briefly before regaining consciousness. The man was taken to Ichilov Hospital for further treatment. 

Another runner collapsed due to heatstroke, and has been taken to Ichilov as well.

After 75 people approached MDA medics with injuries, the Tel Aviv Municipality and MDA decided to shut down the race, it announced later Friday. 

The marathon includes several tracks and races. The first, which launched at 5:45 am, includes a full marathon at 42km (26 miles) long; any runner who could break the record - two hours, 14 minutes, and 39 seconds - will win a $25,000 prize, according to Walla!. 

A half-marathon will also be held at 21.2 km (13 miles) long, as well as a 10km (6 mile) run, a 5km (3 mile) run, a couples' run and a children's race.

Streets and avenues are closed throughout Tel Aviv for the annual marathon. 

By region, the following will be closed until 1:00 pm Friday: 

  • Northern borders: Rokach Ave, Levi Eshkol, Ha'Ta'arucha, Shai Agnon, Yunitzman, the Tel Aviv port, and Route 2040.
  • Western borders: Hayarkon, Herbert Samuel Promenade, Kaufman St., and Goldman St.
  • City center: Dizengoff, Allenby, Rothschild Blvd., Ben Gurion Blvd., Tarsat, Menachem Begin St., Kaplan, Hashmonaim, Ibn Gavriol, and Marmorek.
  • Southern borders: Jerusalem Blvd. and Herzl St.

Athletes from all over the world attended the marathon, as well as several politicians, who are running in the 5km run for the benefit of Israeli children with cancer.

Among the attendees: MK Omar Bar-Lev (Labor), MK Danny Danon (Likud), candidate Yoav Galant (Kulanu), MK Tamar Zandberg (Meretz) and candidate and journalist Sharon Gal (Yisrael Beytenu). 

Some 85 people were injured during the 2014 Tel Aviv marathon.