Jerusalem marathon: Thousands take to the streets of Old City
The seventh staging of the Jerusalem marathon took place on March 17.
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Jerusalem's mayor Nir Barkat said the race "celebrated the 50th anniversary of the reunification of our city."
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In the shadow of the city's most historic sites -- including the Old City (pictured), the Israeli Knesset, and the Machane Yehuda Marketplace -- people of different beliefs and cultures were brought together. An estimated 62 nationalities were represented.
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Kenya's Shadrack Kipkosgei (right) won the marathon for the second year in a row, in a time of 2:17:36, picking up the $3,750 prize. Ethiopia's Wendwesen Tilahun Damte (left) was second and Kenya's Matthew Kibiwott Sang (center) was third.
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Runners participated in a variety of competitive and non-competitive races ranging from 800 meters to a marathon (42.2 km) in distance.
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A competitor dressed as Superman runs along the Old City ramparts.
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Police were on standby to contain protesters around the course. Some (pictured) were claiming part of the marathon was staged on occupied land, while there was also disruption from members of the Jewish Haredi community, who were thought to be protesting against an increase in military service.
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This competitor carried a flag with the message, "God is love."
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Six months after the 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict, Israel Haas (pictured) launched Runners Without Borders -- a group dedicated to improving the relationship between Israelis and Palestinians.
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"We don't run for politics but for humanity," Haas, who competed in the 10 km race, told CNN. "There is no difference between a Jew and an Arab."