"If birds could speak as humans…" they would certainly tell you about the Crane Half Marathon, which has become a beloved tradition and links together a love of running, tourism and nature. The running event, which was initiated by Marathon Israel, shall take place on March 28, in partnership with KKL-JNF, the Hula Lake, and the Eastern Galilee Cluster, and will offer the participants a chance to enjoy the breathtaking panoramas of the Hula Lake, at peak migration season, which is also the perfect season for running.
In its 10th year, the half marathon will enable thousands of runners from Israel and the world, who will gather at the Hula Lake – KKL-JNF at the beginning of spring, to participate in one of three heats: a half marathon (21.1 km), 10 km, 4 km – a popular walk suitable for families, along a flat and convenient route that is suitable for all levels.
Photograph: sportphotography
In addition to the heats, a variety of content events will take place over the weekend along the routes of the run, with running kits being distributed to the participants on the previous evening. For the convenience of the participants in the event, special lodging packages will be offered at the hosteling sites, which will enable them to enjoy the tourist sites in the area and examine the leading attractions. This event joins the volcano race that the company conducted in the Golan Heights in the previous week, both of which are expected to bring to the north thousands of tourists as part of the vision of Marathon Israel, which espouses the reinforcement of tourism throughout the State of Israel, by the runners' community, thus providing a shot in the arm to local tourism.
The return to Hula Lake is particularly emotional in light of the fact that the site was only opened this past December, after being closed for over a year due to the war. Before the war broke out, Hula Lake saw about 400 thousand visitors per year, who enjoyed a one-of-its-kind ecological tourist site, offering a rare nature experience combined with history and pioneering stories. At Hula Lake, which is at the heart of the Syrian-African fault line, KKL-JNF established a birdwatching park over which 500 million aquatic birds, birds of prey and songbirds fly over twice a year. The Lake serves as a rest stop in the journeys of the migrating birds, with thousands of cranes spending the winter there.
For additional details and registration, go to the Marathon Israel website
According to Ofer Padan, CEO of Marathon Israel, "We are excited to launch the 2025 Crane Half Marathon, a unique event that combines a love of sports with a commitment to nature. We view this event as a statement in which we strengthen and salute the residents of the north, after a challenging period. We invite the runners' community in Israel to join us to celebrate sports, nature and community, the cranes are calling to you!"
Effi Na'im, Regional Director for the Hula Valley – KKL-JNF: "The Keren Kayemet Le-Israel – Jewish National Fund views the crane race as greatly important – it is much more than a sporting event. The Marathon combines a love of nature, sports and community, and emphasizes the unique connection between man and the environment. The race takes place at the heart of one of the most important birdwatching sites in the world, at the peak of the migration season, and constitutes a unique opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of conservation of the Lake's ecological system. We are proud to be partners in this event, which brings to it thousands of participants from Israel and the world and strengthens the tourism in the north.
And Eyal Mughrabi, Head of the Ein Qiniyye Local Council and the Supervisor of Sports for the Eastern Galilee Cluster: "the arrival of thousands of participants in the Galilee Panhandle Race which has merged with the Crane Race this year, is an exciting sign of a return to a sporting routine, after a lengthy period, in which it was not possible to conduct activities in our beautiful countryside in the Eastern Galilee. The race is a celebration of regional sports, combining physical activity and breathtaking panoramas that draw to it athletes from Israel and the world. I invite you all to participate in the race, as this is the time to enjoy everything the eastern Galilee has to offer, and residents of the Eastern Galilee also enjoy a discount when registering."
Photograph: sportphotography