The 15th International Jerusalem Winner Marathon will take place on Friday, March 27, 2026, once again drawing tens of thousands of runners from Israel and around the world to the capital for one of the country’s largest annual sporting events.
This year’s marathon will include special registration benefits for members of Israel’s security and rescue forces, with the IDF offering significant discounts to reservists in recognition of their service.
Reservists will be able to register for the 5 km and 10 km races for 18 shekels, while an additional spouse may register for 36 shekels. Other security and rescue personnel will receive a 50 percent discount through the municipality.
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion said the marathon represents far more than a race.
“The marathon is much more than a sporting event, it is an expression of strength, mutual responsibility, unity, and the Jerusalem spirit,” he said. “This year, we once again salute the IDF soldiers, security and rescue forces, and reserve personnel who protect all of us every day, and we invite them to be part of an international celebration of sport, community, and hope.”
Lion added that at the marathon, participants will celebrate “the strength, unity, mutual responsibility, the Jerusalem spirit, and the hope of the people of Israel.”
The event has grown into one of the most recognizable races in the region, known for its demanding course and its route through some of Jerusalem’s most historic and scenic landmarks. Over the years, the marathon has become a fixture on the international running calendar, attracting both elite athletes and recreational runners while reinforcing Jerusalem’s status as a global destination for sports tourism.
IDF Manpower Directorate head Maj.-Gen. Dado Bar Kalifa emphasized the symbolic meaning of this year’s race, particularly for those in uniform.
“IDF service members and reservists, you are the driving force that propels the sails of Israeli society,” he said. “Through your actions, you embody dedication, cohesion, and mutual responsibility. The resilience of the people of Israel and the security of the state depend on our unity.”
Bar Kalifa added that the marathon will bring together those who serve, alongside bereaved families and wounded soldiers.
“We will run together… we will remember the hope and the city that was reunited, and we will ensure the human and national bond that is the source of our strength and power. We will safeguard our land, our people, and Jerusalem our capital.”
Toto chair: Jerusalem marathon 'an institution in Israeli sport, society'
Marking its 15th year, the marathon continues to be closely associated with its main sponsor, Toto Winner. Toto chairman Shabtai Tzur said that the event has become “an institution in Israeli sport and society, attracting tens of thousands of participants each year from Israel and around the world,” adding that he believes the upcoming race will be “the largest and most successful ever.”
Toto CEO Meir Bardugo echoed that sentiment, calling the partnership “a true partnership in a flagship international event that presents the beautiful face of the State of Israel and its citizens in Israel and around the world, against the backdrop of Jerusalem’s breathtaking landscapes and historic sites.”
The International Jerusalem Winner Marathon is organized by the Jerusalem Municipality Sports Division in collaboration with the Jerusalem Development Authority, the Ministry of Culture and Sports, the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Jerusalem and Heritage, and additional partners. Sponsors include Toto Winner as the main sponsor, Azorim Ltd., and others, with production by Electra Target.
Registered runners will receive a participant package that includes the official marathon shirt, bib number, timing chip, and additional benefits.
Further details and registration information are available on the official marathon website at www.jerusalem-marathon.com