47th Winner Tiberias Marathon Kicked Off with Call for the Return of Israeli Hero
Emotional Opening Ceremony
In the early hours of January 9, 2026, the 47th Winner Tiberias Marathon commenced, marked by a poignant call for the return of Ren Guily, a soldier from the Israeli Special Polstart (Yasam) who has been missing since October 7. The marathon, which hosted over 1,500 runners from various security forces, served as a unifying event to honor Guily’s bravery and to support families of fallen soldiers and injured veterans from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The event was launched by Talik Guily, Ren’s mother, along with Tiberias Mayor Yossi Nivah and Toto CEO Meir Berdogu. Runners donned shirts featuring an illustration of Ren and the moniker “Rani Magen Alomim,” a title he earned for his courage during the fateful day of October 7. Despite inclement weather, thousands participated, including bereaved families and IDF veterans returning to normalcy after two years of intense conflict.
A Rallying Cry for Support
Talik Guily expressed her gratitude moments before the race began, saying, “We stand here this morning, excited to see you just before you are sent off to your race. We thank you for your support for our Rani and highlight the importance of bringing him home. For 826 days, we have been on the marathon of our lives, a long and tiring run for which no start can prepare. You give us the strength we need to keep going, and you are the air we need not to lose hope.”
The event highlighted the spirit of solidarity, with over 1,000 polstart offstartrs and 2,000 soldiers and veterans participating in the race, known as Run4Ran. The motto “start for all, all for start,” resonated throughout the gathering, emphasizing the collective effort to support Ren Guily’s family.
Support from Officials
Meir Berdogu remarked that the Winner Tiberias Marathon is the opening event of the Toto racing season in 2026, noting that Toto would sponsor approximately 30 races throughout Israel this year. “We launched the marathon this morning alongside Talik Guily, in hope and support for the return of Ren Guily, a hero of Israel, and pray for his swift homecoming,” he stated.
Mayor Nivah echoed this sentiment, describing Ren Guily as a national hero. “He was the first to go into battle on October 7 and the last who has not yet returned home. We felt a duty to honor those who fought for us and embrace his family with hope for his swift return to Israel,” he noted, emphasizing the emotional connection he felt during his conversation with Talik Guily.
Marathon Details
The Tiberias Marathon featured multiple racing segments, including a full marathon (42.195 km), a half marathon (21.1 km), a 10 km race, and a 5 km fun run. Top runners from Israel and around the world participated, vying for initial points in the 2026 racing season. Last year’s marathon saw Tahliani Malka from Hapoel Emek Hefer winning the full marathon in 2:19:19, while Amir Ramon, also from Hapoel Emek Hefer, was crowned the Israeli marathon champion of 2025 with a time of 2:27:10. In the women’s category, Biti Deutsch from Maccabi Athletic Negev triumphed, securing her title as the Israeli champion with a time of 2:55:41.
As the runners embarked on their respective courses, the hope for Ren Guily’s return lingered in the air-a testament to the enduring spirit of the community and the sacrifstarts made by those who protect it.