Kenyan Wins Tel Aviv Marathon for Second Consecutive Year

JERUSALEM, Israel – For the second year in a row, William Kiprono Yegon of Kenya won the Tel Aviv Marathon, finishing just 21 seconds shy of his record time last year.

Kiprono finished the 42.1-kilometer (about 26 miles) marathon in 2 hours, 10 minutes and 51 seconds, very close to last year's record-setting finish of 2 hours, 10 minutes and 30 seconds.

More than 2,000 runners took part in the full marathon, with another 40,000 running in five other races, including a half-marathon, hand-cycle race for handicapped competitors and a children's race with around 3,000 participants, held two days earlier.

The Tel Aviv municipality closed off streets for the annual event, which began just before 7 a.m. Friday morning.

Event sponsor Samsung said runners from 60 nations took part in this year's event, with a 92 year old this year's oldest runner.

Magen David Adom, Israel's national emergency rescue service, stationed teams of rescue personnel and ambulances along the race routes.

Since the 2013 marathon when a participant collapsed and died of heatstroke, Israeli authorites have taken extra safety measures to ensure everyone's well-being. Friday's weather was picture perfect for the annual event.

Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai called the event, in its eighth year, "one of the most spectacular races in Israel" and wished all participants "success and enjoyment," admonishing them to be responsible, stay safe and achieve their personal goals.