(live here) – After a six-year hiatus, the Haifa 2025 Race has finally returned to the city — but instead of an inspiring urban sports celebration, what thousands of runners and runners received last Friday (9.5.25) was an event that was lacking, according to many participants, and above all, a severe disappointment among them.
The race, which was supposed to put Haifa back on the map of major sporting events in Israel, was limited to just four races, with the longest reaching 10 km — without a half marathon or full marathon race. Not only did this not help promote the city as a sporting destination, but it also missed an economic, touristic, and educational opportunity. Instead of leveraging the race as a lever to encourage sports and community, an event was created that does not match the potential of a large city like Haifa.
The lack of organization was particularly noticeable in the short sections for children, where no water stations were set up at all — despite the intense heat. Photographers were also almost nonexistent, so children who arrived excited and motivated did not get a picture that would preserve the experience for them and encourage future participation. Many parents reported deep disappointment — at the lack of documentation, the small number of medals that were awarded (some were even from last year), and the general feeling that the event was done "on the fly" and without a vision.
One of them is Elias Matar, a well-known Haifa chef, who participated in the race with his little daughter. "I'm used to running marathons in Tel Aviv and abroad, where these are sweet events that leverage the city," he said in a conversation with Haifa. "Here? Unorganized, uninviting, uninspiring. How can there be no water stations in the children's sections? Why is there only one photographer, who can't document all the children? Why not invest in several photographers, so that every child can see themselves and be proud of their participation?"
According to him, this is also a big miss from an urban-economic perspective: "It is not clear why the Haifa Municipality did not take advantage of the opportunity to hold a full 42-kilometer marathon, as is customary in other large cities," adds Matar. "It was possible to open the Carmel Tunnels for free travel for one day, integrate the Haifa Port into the route, and turn the event into a real urban celebration. Look at what is happening at the Tel Aviv Marathon: thousands of participants from all over the country arrive with families, set up coffee carts, fill the restaurants and cafes, even spend the night in hotels. This is an economic movement that can inject millions into the city. And in Haifa? They settled for a 10-kilometer route — to the third largest city in Israel. A huge miss. Participants finished and went home."
Another criticism that arose concerned the almost complete absence of schools from the Arab sector. Matar calls on educators, school principals, and parents to integrate students and participate in urban sports events: "We need to encourage broader participation. It's not just sports — it's a sense of belonging to the city, it's education, it's a connection between sectors."
If there was hope in this race to turn a new page, reality left a bitter taste. Haifa deserves a race on a national scale. One that connects to an urban vision, that integrates communities, that brings families, that fills businesses, and that ultimately makes residents proud of their city. In the meantime, it seems that the Haifa 2025 race missed the mark.
Haifa Municipality's response:
The Haifa 2025 Race was produced by the Haifa Municipality in collaboration with a professional production company, and was a great success with the participation of thousands of runners of all ages, while receiving enthusiastic responses from everyone who took part. All participants in the race received medals and t-shirts. There were 3 water stations in the competitive sections and every student who participated in the popular sections had access to free water.
Goldfish Productions is doing gigs.
In Tel Aviv, they hire professional companies and there are sponsors, and everything looks professional.
With us, everything comes down to the sponsorship of a local radio station and the municipality brings a small budget for a small event and thinks small, so only 10 km.
10 km is a popular race. It's not a marathon in any way. A little truth in advertising!
Last year's medals - a real disgrace.
You don't have to run a marathon, even a half marathon would be enough.
It is mandatory to tag the water, and it is advisable to take pictures because the photos go online and this makes the race excellent publicity.
It's obvious that the man doesn't know what he's talking about.
Let's distinguish between the production of the race, which may have gone poorly, as is usual for Goldfish productions of its generation, and the desire to hold a marathon in the city.
To hold a marathon in the city, the municipality has to invest a lot of money.
There's a big difference between producing a race
and producing a marathon on a scale like in Taba and Jerusalem
The truth is, I read the article and feel that the article is just a platform for a covert advertisement for a well-known Haifa chef…
I don't know Elias and believe he is indeed successful in his field.
And regarding the race, I also heard other voices from those who enjoyed it after 6 years without races in the city.
Even the medals from last year
As someone who didn't come from the city and expected Haifa to put on a serious fight, I admit I was disappointed too. There were many shortcomings and I don't understand how a city that is one of the largest in Israel couldn't invest a little more (they actually handed out last year's medals)😂
Hoping for better races in the future!
right!
Instead of running in the city, with people nearby to cheer on, we ran on the outskirts of the city on a non-sterile course, with people walking on the promenade against the direction of the runners….
Not the fanning you can be proud of
Right in every word.
There was also no prior announcement.
Let people come to cheer.
Let it be a happening like everywhere else in the world
Especially in these difficult days.
Huge miss!
It was a great race.
Excellent investment
I and I believe most of you enjoyed it very much.
Better than nothing, believe me.
Shevah next time will be better and even better
A kind word won't hurt.
Health and good news to everyone.