Jerusalem, Jerusalem District, Israel
The Jerusalem Marathon draws approximately 5,000 finishers each March on a historic urban road in Jerusalem, Israel. The race is defined as much by terrain as by history because Jerusalem never really runs flat. The route passes the Knesset, Old City walls, and hilltop neighborhoods with constant elevation change. Expect significant climbs on this hilly course.
Jerusalem Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
The next Jerusalem Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, 7 March 2027 with a 7:00 am start. The certified course covers 42.195 km (26.2 miles) with 250 m of climbing on a hilly with notable climbs layout.
Starts and finishes near Jerusalem's civic and park areas. The route passes the Knesset, Old City walls, and hilltop neighborhoods with constant elevation change. Hilly with notable climbs. Moderate terrain throughout.
The Jerusalem Marathon course is hilly with notable climbs over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 250 metres of climbing and 200 metres of descent, with a net climb of 50 metres from start to finish.
The Jerusalem Marathon uses open online registration at jerusalem-marathon.com with no ballot for the general field. Sign-up for the March race typically opens several months beforehand. The hilly Old City course draws international pilgrims and tourists; overseas runners apply through the same portal.
Last updated 18 July 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Other races closest to Jerusalem.
The Tel Aviv Marathon draws about 7,000 finishers each February through Israel's Mediterranean coastal capital. The course passes the Tel Aviv Port, the Bauhaus White City, and the beachfront promenade (tayelet) with sea views. February mild Mediterranean weather and a flat coastal profile make it the largest marathon in Israel.
Next race: Friday, 26 February 2027
The Runtalya Marathon draws approximately 2,500 finishers each April on a scenic coastal road in Antalya, Turkey. Warm sea-level conditions and coastal scenery make it a popular spring destination race. The course passes Mediterranean seafront roads, resort districts, and palm-lined avenues. Mediterranean seafront roads, resort districts, and palm-lined Antalya avenues make April's warm coastal race a popular spring destination on largely flat terrain.
Next race: Sunday, 4 April 2027
The Istanbul Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 11k finishers on an urban road in Istanbul, Turkey. The course starts on the Asian side and finishes in Sultanahmet on the European side — the only intercontinental marathon. The route crosses the Bosphorus Bridge (15 July Martyrs Bridge) around kilometre 15. Mostly flat on both continents with a climb on the bridge.
Next race: Sunday, 1 November 2026
The Alexander the Great Marathon draws approximately 2,000 finishers each April on a point-to-point road in Thessaloniki, Greece. The finish on Thessaloniki's waterfront is the marathon's signature moment. The route passes Macedonian plain roads and ends beside the Thermaic Gulf promenade. Macedonian plain roads carry April's point-to-point race toward Thessaloniki's waterfront finish beside the Thermaic Gulf promenade, the marathon's signature moment.
Next race: Sunday, 4 April 2027
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