Over 800 runners fought the gusty winds and swirling sands in the 15th Ein Gedi Race, held in the memory of Giora and Tomer Ron.

Kenya's 29-year-old Bernard Boiya won the 21.1 kilometer half-marathon in 1:07.34 with Morocco's Chaham el Matti close behind on 1:07.40.

The first five runners were together most of the race, passing the half-way point as a unit but near the 14km mark, Boiya and el Matti, both visiting Israel for the first time, pulled away from the pack. At 20km, Boiya stole away from the Moroccan, maintaining the lead until the finish line.