New York City Marathon in support of Israeli hostages

Yesterday NYC Marathon was held with over 150 runners dedicated their race to the Israeli hostages by wearing shirts bearing the faces of Naama Levy, Doron Steinbrecher, Evyatar David, Ohad Yahalomi, and Edan Alexander—accomplished athletes who had previously completed marathons and triathlons participated.

Runners dedicated their 26.2-mile journey to the hostages as hundreds cheered them on. Near the finish line at Columbus Circle, the NY Hostages Families Forum and numerous supporters rallied behind the participants while waving Israeli flags adorned with yellow ribbons.

On the occasion Yamit Ashkanzi, sister of hostage Doron Steinbrecher said that: “Our Doron loves to run. Every Saturday morning she would run across the Kibbutz. On that tragic day she wasn’t able to run and ever since she’s been held hostage. It warms our hearts that people will be running today with Doron’s picture and to know that she’s in so many people’s hearts. To know they are running for her because she can’t run for over a year now.”

Yoni Levy, father of hostage Naama Levy reflected that: “When I see Naama’s picture in the huge marathon, I feel her absence so deeply and how it hurts that she’s not here. Naama participated in triathlons and races with deep passion and courage and if she would have known people would be running for her, she’d be excited and thankful for the support and for people fighting to bring her home.”