Over 450 people, including foreign diplomats serving in Israel, foreign journalists and members of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs participated in the “Diplomatic Race,” in Jerusalem, Israel’s capital, the first of its kind to be held in Israel.
The event offered two options – a 10K route for runners and a 3K route for walkers.
The starting point was at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the entrance to the city, and the scenic route took the participants past Sacher Park, by the Hebrew University’s Botanical Garden and through the Valley of the Cross.
“A joint initiative of Israel’s Foreign Ministry and Jerusalem municipality’s division of sports, the event is regarded as a different, innovative way of conducting diplomacy between countries,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“While diplomats usually meet each other in air-conditioned offices dressed in business attire, today the participants in the diplomatic race are wearing sporting clothes and trainers, and will be able to enjoy Jerusalem’s beautiful and unique scenery at their own pace,” the statement said.
Jerusalem hosts several international sporting events throughout the year, and most recently 30,000 people from 62 countries participated in the sixth annual Jerusalem marathon.
By: Max Gelber, United with Israel