The Bible Marathon
The world’s oldest running challenge is revived here!
“Then a man of Benjamin ran from the battle line the same day, and came to Shiloh with his clothes torn…” One of the first runs recorded in human history – long before the “marathon” in Greek mythology – is mentioned in the Bible, in the beginning of the book of Samuel.
At the end of the war between the Israelites and the Philistines, the “Man of Benjamin” runs from the battlefield at Eben Ezer (modern day Rosh Ha’ayin) to Shiloh, city of the Tabernacle. Many centuries later, the founder of the Maccabiah games, Yosef Yekutieli, set out to measure the length of the course from Rosh Ha’ayin to Shiloh, in the Benjamin region. He was amazed to find that the length of this historic path precisely matched that of the modern marathon – 42 kilometers (the official length of the Olympic running contest, determined in 1908 at the London Olympics). Today, all courses of the Bible Marathon are off-road, running through the lovely local scenery full of vineyards, natural springs and incredible challenging trails.
42.2 km
Collective ascent:
857m
Start Time:
06:30
Cut-off:
6 hours
Starting Point:
Ancient Shiloh
Finish:
Ancient Shiloh
Heat Cost:
170-250 NIS42.2 km - Map & Water Stations
An amazing and challenging off-road marathon through the lovely scenery of the Binyamin region. We will run through spectacular landscapes on gravel paths and “singles”, meet clear natural springs, impressive vineyards and olive groves.
The route starts from Ancient Shiloh, the site of the “Mishkan” and the first capital of the kingdom of Israel for 369 years. Race begins before sunrise between fields and olive groves, until we reach Mount Kida. As we run around the mountain we’ll enjoy the amazing sunrise towards the Jordan Valley and the Saratba ridge. We then ascend to another lookout at Mitzpe Ahia and from there we will descend along a meandering single track to the Shiloh Valley. We will run along the valley and pass beneath Route 60 in the direction of the vineyards that adorn the entrance to Givat Harel. Route passes through the vineyards until we reach the “Gva’ot” winery – a high quality boutique winery located on the cliffs of Nahal Shilo with a breathtaking view of the surrounding area. We will descend on a beautiful single track to the Shilo wadi, climb towards Nahal Shilo farm and then descend back to the wadi and run along it until we reach Ein Oz – a clear spring that flows along the creek and invites a cool dip. We will continue on a comfortable path until we reach the Spring of Heroism (let’s see you resist the temptation to hop in!). From the spring we will continue along a single track that winds through the Eli Forest, and then climb towards Ancient Shiloh, through its ruins to the biblical gate and finish line, where the famous “Man of Benjamin” shield will be waiting for you.
Cumulative ascent: 857 meters
Cumulative descent: 858 meters
Peaks: from 569 to 840 meters
Hydration stations along the route: from the 4th km, and every 3-4 km
Route map for Bible_2022_42 by Neriya Kaplan on plotaroute.com
21.1 km
Collective ascent:
396mStart Time:
07:30Cut-off:
4 hoursStarting Point:
Ancient ShilohFinish:
Ancient ShilohHeat Cost:
150-230 NIS21.1 km - Map & Water Stations
A great off-road trail through the lovely scenery of the Binyamin region. We will run through the vineyards of local boutique wineries, past clear natural springs and olive groves.
The route starts from Ancient Shiloh, the site of the “Mishkan” and the first capital of the kingdom of Israel for 369 years. We’ll begin running through fields and olive groves, around the settlements of Shiloh, and Shvut Rachel and descend along a meandering track to the Shiloh Valley. We will run along the valley and pass beneath Route 60 in the direction of the vineyards that adorn the entrance to Givat Harel. Route passes through the vineyards until we reach the “Gva’ot” winery – a high quality boutique winery located on the cliffs of Nahal Shilo with a breathtaking view of the surrounding area. We will descend on a beautiful single track to the wadi and run along it until we reach Ein Oz – a clear spring that flows along the creek and invites a cool dip. We will continue on a comfortable path until we reach the Spring of Heroism (let’s see you resist the temptation to hop in!). From the spring we will climb towards Ancient Shiloh, through its ruins to the biblical gate and finish line, where the famous “Man of Benjamin” shield will be waiting for you.
Cumulative ascent: 396 meters
Cumulative descent: 395 meters
Peaks: from 569 to 735 meters
Hydration stations along the route: from the 4th km, and every 3-4 km
Cutoff: 4 hours.
Route map for Bible_2022_21 by Neriya Kaplan on plotaroute.com
10 km
Collective ascent:
167mStart Time:
08:40Cut-off:
2 hoursStarting Point:
Ancient ShilohFinish:
Ancient ShilohHeat Cost:
70-160 NIS10 km - Map & Water Stations
A fantastic route through the Binyamin region. We will run through lovely vineyards which serve the local boutique wineries, and olive groves from which fine olive oil is produced. The route is reminiscent of the landscapes of Tuscany, and fills runners with the energies of biblical landscape, history and nature.
The route starts from Ancient Shiloh, the site of the “Mishkan” and the first capital of the kingdom of Israel for 369 years. We’ll begin running east, then head back to Nahal Shiloh. We will pass beneath Route 60 in the direction of the vineyards and run along the wadi till we reach Ein Oz – a clear spring that flows along the creek and invites a cool dip. We will continue on a comfortable path and begin the climb towards Ancient Shiloh, through its ruins to the biblical gate and finish line.
Hydration stations along the route: every 3-4 km
Route map for Bible_2022_10 by Neriya Kaplan on plotaroute.com
3.2 km
Collective ascent:
60mStart Time:
09:30Cut-off:
1 hourStarting Point:
Ancient ShilohFinish:
Ancient ShilohHeat Cost:
60-140 NIS3.2 km - Map & Water Stations
An easy off-road route through the olive groves below Ancient Shiloh and its antique ruins.
We will begin running towards the settlement of Eli, run through the fine olive groves of Tura Olive Press – a high quality boutique winery and olive press, and from there we will return and ascend to the finish line at Ancient Shiloh.
Hydration stations along the route: at 2.5 km
500 m
Collective ascent:
8mStart Time:
10:50Cut-off:
Starting Point:
Ancient ShilohFinish:
Ancient ShilohHeat Cost:
30 NIS500 m - Map & Water Stations
The most exciting route, where children with special needs run together with their families, volunteers and teenagers.
Length: 700 meters
There’s no time cap for this route, and every runner here is a winner.
Route map for Bible_2022_special by Neriya Kaplan on plotaroute.com
1.3 km
Collective ascent:
21mStart Time:
10:15Cut-off:
1 hourStarting Point:
Ancient ShilohFinish:
Ancient ShilohHeat Cost:
30 NIS1.3 km - Map & Water Stations
Route map for Bible_2022_family by Neriya Kaplan on plotaroute.com
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