JERUSALEM - About 7,700 athletes from 33 countries and regions competed in the annual Dead Sea Marathon on Friday, which took place along the southern shores of the salt lake in southeast Israel.

The marathon features a section running toward the lake's center along the border embankment between Israel and Jordan.

Normally restricted to security forces and authorized personnel, this section becomes accessible to the public only once a year on the marathon day.

Eyal Porat of Israel finished first in the men's marathon in two hours, 51 minutes and 22 seconds, while Olga Raz, also from Israel, secured victory in the women's marathon in 3:15:56.

The event also includes half-marathon, 50km, 15 km, 10km, and 5km races.