For the first time in history – a race up the famous Snake Path leading 300 meters to the top of Masada will take place, within the framework of the 28th International Ein Gedi Marathon, in memory of Giora and Tomer Ron on 18 February 2011. The inclusion of the race up the Snake Path to the ruins atop Masada adds an additional extreme element to this half-marathon and places the lowest point on earth on the map of international extreme races, alongside other famous sites such as the race to the top of the Eiffel Tower, the Empire State Building and Machu Picchu.

The race up Masada includes 2.5 kms of running up dirt tracks, stony paths and 750 stone steps carved into the side of Masada - a total ascent of 300 meters of steep and intensive running. The number of runners in this first year will be limited to 300, running in 6 groups of 50. The winner will be the runner who reaches the top in the fastest time from all the groups to claim the prize of NIS 7500 and the honor of being the first person to run up the mountain in a competitive race.

The weekend also offers a selection of races and activities for professional and amateur athletes and their families with a half-marathon race – one for runners and another for cyclists - a 10 km running and walking race and even a 2 km race for children (ages 6-14).

The participants will also vote for the Dead Sea as one of the finalists in the New7Wonders of Nature online global campaign which will end on 11.11.11.

At over 400 meters below sea level and with luxury hotels in the Ein Bokek area, the Dead Sea is known as the lowest and largest natural health spa in the world. This natural phenomenon offers tourists and health-seekers black Dead Sea mud and thermo-mineral hot springs; desert-dry, air free of pollution and pollen and rich in oxygen, bromine and magnesium and year-round sunshine with filtered UVB rays. Tourist attractions in the area, among others, include the Roman fortress at Masada, the Ein Gedi and Einot Tzukim nature reserves and Qumran, home to the Essenes sect and the area where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.

Voting for the Dead Sea in the New7Wonders of Nature campaign is available via the Tourism Ministry’s website (www.goisrael.com or www.votedeadsea.com ), via the campaign’s website (www.new7wonders.com) or via SMS from Israeli mobile phones only by sending the words Dead Sea to 2244 . http://facebook.com/votedeadsea

More about the race: www.deadsea-race.co.il