The Israel National Anti-Doping Organization sent an angry letter to the Israel Athletics Association, claiming that the IAA didn’t comply with anti-doping regulations at the Tiberias marathon.
By ALLON SINAIIsrael’s Girmaw Amare won the Tiberias Marathon yesterday in a new personal best time of 2:15.30 hours.(photo credit: VIDEO BARAK/COURTESY)
Two runners in their 40s collapsed during the Tiberias marathon on Sunday and were admitted to Poriya Medical Center in serious condition after requiring life-saving treatment.The Sea of Galilee Tiberias International Winner Marathon was taking place for the 41st time and was held in ideal running conditions after being postponed by two days due to the stormy weather on Friday.Over 4,000 runners took part in the marathon and half-marathon runs which ran along the southern shore of the Kinneret, up to Ein Gev and back.“MDA staff noticed that one of the runners was feeling unwell and helped him to the clinic at the finish line,” said MDA paramedic Tair Khzazi. “While he was being given medical treatment he collapsed and lost consciousness.We initiated life-saving treatment and resuscitated him, including treatment with a defibrillator. After he regained a pulse and his condition was stabilized he was taken by ambulance to hospital.”Israel’s Girmaw Amare was crowned as national champion after winning the men’s marathon in a time of 2:15.30 hours, an improvement of 1:50 minutes to his personal best and the sixth-best result ever recorded by an Israeli. Amare’s result is especially impressive as he ran by himself for almost half of the marathon. He was on pace to break the national record until around the 35th kilometer, but running alone eventually took its toll.Marhu Teferi finished in second place (2:18.35h), with Ageze Guadie third across the line (2:21.33h).Meanwhile, Hagar Kna’ani won the women’s national title for the first time, clocking 2:49.14h, a massive improvement of 7:33 minutes to her personal best and the 13th-best time recorded by an Israeli woman. The 35-year-old Kna’ani, who gave birth to her second child one year ago, said she begins running every day at 4:45am before starting her day job at Israel Discount Bank.Kna’ani made the most of the absence of Korlima Chemtai and Maor Tiyouri, who represented Israel at last summer’s World Championships but didn’t compete in Tiberias.Also, the Israel National Anti-Doping Organization sent an angry letter to the Israel Athletics Association, claiming that the IAA didn’t comply with anti-doping regulations at the Tiberias marathon.
According to the INADO , it wasn’t invited to Tiberias and when it asked to be provided with rooms in order to test runners, the IAA declined. The IAA vehemently denies any wrongdoing.
