Hope Marathon to Honor Oct. 7 Victims and Rebuild Spirit in Southern Israel

Aya Medan, a survivor of the October 7 massacre and a member of Kibbutz Be'eri, is organizing the "Hope Marathon" to take place on Friday, October 16, in the Eshkol Regional Council. Medan, who lost family members in the attack, aims to foster hope and remembrance through the event, which will feature four race routes: 3km, 6.7km, 13km, and 22km. The marathon is designed to honor the victims, remind participants of the region's rich history predating the tragedy, and rekindle a sense of hope and resilience.

Medan, who is currently living with her husband Omri and their children Gur, Negev, and Amalia in Kibbutz Hacholim after being displaced, described her harrowing experience on October 7. She recounted hiding in a bush with Hisham Al-Krinawi after being warned of terrorists inside the kibbutz, and being rescued hours later. She also spoke of her deep personal losses, including her son Carmel and daughter Dana, and how the event shattered her previous belief in the inherent goodness of people in Gaza.

The marathon's "back number" initiative allows participants to run in honor of a specific victim, with the honoree's name printed on a slip attached to the runner's back. This aims to keep the memory of those lost alive. The 22km race will start at 6:29 AM, the time the Hamas attack began, and the 13km race at 7:10 AM, referencing the date.

Medan, who worked in Be'eri's education system in the Dead Sea area after the attack and now gives lectures titled "Torch of Hope," emphasized the marathon's goal of creating a positive experience in Be'eri and the surrounding Gaza envelope communities. She wants to showcase the region's beauty and vitality despite the trauma. Approximately 1,300 participants have registered so far, and the event is planned to become an annual tradition.