Team Shalva surrounded by community support

A 50-strong team of Israeli runners completed the Sydney Marathon on Sunday, raising funds and awareness for Shalva, the Israeli organisation that has supported people with disabilities and their families for more than 30 years.

Team Shalva joined more than 40,000 participants on the 42.2-kilometre course from North Sydney to the Sydney Opera House, with every member of the delegation finishing the race.

Shalva delegation leader Itamar Shevach told The AJN the team’s purpose was clear from the outset.

“The reason we are doing it, it’s for supporting people with disabilities and their families, and we do that not only in Sydney, we do it all over the world, and it’s a big mission,” Shevach said.

In the lead-up to the marathon, claims circulated on social media about the military backgrounds of some delegation members. Small groups of protesters gathered at points along the route on race day but the race proceeded without disruption.