March 20, 2014, Updated March 24, 2014

Runners from 54 countries are set to take part in the fourth International Jerusalem Marathon tomorrow (March 21). Organizers say they’re expecting over 26,000 runners – including Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat – to take part in the event.

Another 6,000 participants will take part in a 800-meter social race — known as the International Jerusalem ”Winner” Marathon — in support of Jerusalem’s needy.

“There is no doubt in my mind that the Jerusalem Marathon is on the short list of marathons that one has to do at least once in a lifetime,” Barkat told a press conference in Jerusalem the day before the big happening. “I’ll be satisfied if everyone in the world who runs marathons, which is tens of millions of people, will come at least once to Jerusalem. And I’m sure that what happens is that when people come once, they usually come more than once.”

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