Mount of Olives, Old City, Dome of the Rock
Mount of Olives, Old City, Dome of the RockIsrael news photo: Hana Levi Julian

The 2013 Jerusalem Marathon schedule has been moved up two weeks, the mayor's office says, citing “professional recommendations, which placed the best interests of the runners as the top priority” in explaining the decision. No details were offered.

Next year the race will take place on March 1 instead of March 15.

This year's race is set to take place on March 16. The marathon will see a record-breaking number of international participants, from more than 50 countries, city officials noted. Roughly 1,000 foreign runners have already registered, with at least 300 more expected by the day of the marathon.

Among those are more than 600 runners who are likely to complete the entire 42.2-kilometer route of the race.

More than 10,000 Israelis will be running the route, according to marathon organizers, although not everyone is expected to go the “full mile.”

“The Jerusalem International Marathon will have five options for runners,” explained officials. A runner can choose the full marathon (42.195 km), half marathon (21.1 km), a 10 km race, the “short race” (4.2 km) or a “community run/walk” of a mere 800 meters.

“The Jerusalem Marathon is unique for its beauty and challenging terrain,” noted organizers. “The race takes runners through the important historical and visually spectacular sites of the city, including the Old City, the Sultan's Pool, the Mount of Olives, Mount Zion, the Knesset, the German Colony, Rehavia, Ammunition Hill, Sacher Park, Mount Scopus and many more.”