Gilad Shalit, shortly after being released. Photo: IDF via Wikimedia Commons.

Q: How do you know if someone has run a marathon?

A: They’ll tell you.

I know this joke is true because I’ve run two marathons. (See – I just told you.)

Gilad Shalit will join the club next year when he runs in his first marathon. I remember him asking me questions about training when we spent the day together in London earlier this year. (Because I’d told him that I’ve run marathons.)

I also told him he should give one a go himself. He said he would think about it. He’s now signed up to run in the Jerusalem Marathon for Shalva – the association for mentally and physically challenged children in Israel.

What I love most about running is the feeling of freedom it brings. Which makes it all the more fitting that Gilad, who spent five years as a hostage of Hamas, is going to be doing a lot of running in the months ahead.

Good luck for the training and the big day, Gilad. And afterwards, make sure you tell everyone you’ve done it.

UPDATE: It’s unclear if Gilad will run the entire marathon, or just a segment of it. Wishing him the best whichever distance he chooses.

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