Photos: Real Timing, Yosef Avi Yair Engel (Jucha), Yossi Leshem, Thomas Krumenacker

Thanks to all the partners and supporters!

There is no race like this anywhere in the world! Running in the company of 35,000 cranes!

A cloud descended upon the Agamon and dispersed only at 08:30 – what an atmosphere! The registration station is all set up by 05:30

The IDF post waits for the runners – from privates to major-generals!

The runners arrive in their hundreds, in the cloud sitting low over the Agamon

The mist slowly disperses only after 08:30 a.m.

The runners collect their race shirt and chip

From the right: Uri, Maj.-Gen. Noam Tibon’s son; Ernst & Young Chairman, Ronen Barel; Noam Tibon. Second from left: Itai Gotlieb, Ernst & Young

The Jordanian team receives gift bags from the “Hoopoe Foundation”

The book about the Barn owl project, in Arabic (a joint project of the Hoopoe Foundation and the Ministry for Regional Cooperation)

The Jordanian team was joined by 50 students from the pre-army preparatory course “Swifter than Vultures” managed by Muki Betser, who have run in every race for the last four years

Zvika, Dan and Inbar led the event “behind the scenes”

Ruby Hamershlag from Channel 1 and his photographer Gidon documented the race which was broadcast in the channel’s news program

Yosef Avi Yair Engel (Jucha), previously President Peres’ personal assistant, joins the race as a photographer. Kneeling next to him, Thomas Krumenacker, a Reuters news agency reporter from Berlin, and an enthusiastic bird photographer

Maj.-Gen. Noam Tibon with the President’s assistance, a bird photographer and a birdwatcher

From left: Maj.-Gen. Noam Tibon, Prof. Zvi ben Avraham (his 3 rd Crane Race), Maj.-Gen. Yossi Bachar and an unidentified runner

With the Commander of Brigade 7 The Chief Medical Officer and his Deputy

400 runners about to start the half marathon

The announcer telling the runners the guidelines Seconds before starting the half marathon

Dovev Mazor, Manager of Real Timing, removes the ribbon before the race starts

The half marathon gets underway – Maj.-Gen. Noam Tibon set the runners off (on the right, with a ribbon on his forehead)…

On the right: the Jordanian deputation’s sport trainer sets off the 10 km race

Prof. Zvi ben Avraham (with hat), Israel Prize winner for Geophysics, running 10 km for the 3 rd time in the Crane Race (74 years old!)

The Jordanian team proudly waving their flag before the race starts

The Jordanian team is proud to participate

Brigade 7’s Reconnaissance Platoon looks in good shape!

Itai Gotlieb, one of the race initiators, a senior partner at Ernst & Young

Yossi and Muki Betser chatting instead of running!

The mist over the valley created a unique running ambience

Boaz and Hadas Dekel, among the race initiators 4 years ago!

Ronen Barel, Ernst & Young Chairman, in top form!

Ernst & Young CEO, Doron Shaharabani, at peak fitness…!

Ran the entire route juggling 3 balls and smiling from ear to ear! Unbelievable…

Golanchiks who ran without chips and certificates!

First place! Tearing the finishing line banner!

Finishing line

Hand in hand over the finishing line – what comradeship!

The Jordan River’s western canal

From left to right, after the race: Maj.-Gen. Yossi Bachar, Maj.-Gen. Noam Tibon and Prof. Zvi ben Avraham

Family and friends wait for the runners

Nadav Israeli, not only an excellent birdwatcher, but also a special family man, ran with his daughter 5 km

Muki Betser ‘s “Swifter than vultures” preparatory course at Ma’agan Michael

With Ben ben Muvhar Head of the Regional Council, Yossi Bachar and his son

The Hoopoe Race (5 km) sets off

“Two triples” on the ground and in the air

Fruit and snacks at the end of the race

Stretching muscles after the race

Ronen Barel, Ernst & Young Chairman, opens the ceremony for the awarding of the trophies

Two Regional Council Heads, Giora Zaltz and Benny ben Muvhar, smiling together

The Jordanians toast the race participants

Maj. Golan Benisti awards the trophies to the soldiers who came first

The 3 first places in the 10 km race

The two Regional Council Heads, Giora Zaltz and Benny ben Muvhar, toasting the participants

The Jordanian deputation’s trophy

See you at the 5 th Crane Race, on November 27, 2015!!!