Tel Aviv, also known as the White City, and a UNESCO World Heritage site, is world renowned for its famed Bauhaus architecture and its beautiful beaches. Numerous other assets abound as well, including several small boutique hotels as well as internationally known branded properites, significant cultural attractions, a world class orchestra, fine restaurants, an ancient port and more. Where Jerusalem is the country's spiritual center of faith, Tel Aviv is the country's heart and continues to gain prominence as one of the booming financial capitals of the region. KNown for its architecture, history, and numerous other features - Tel Aviv, for the last 4 years - is also known as a host city to Nike's annual 10K event, that takes place on one night annually in several cities around the world.

This last Sunday, 10.10.10  the Nike 10K attracted 15,000 runners from all over the country. Men and women traveling from cities around the small state headed to Tel Aviv in the late afternoon in anticipation for the well publicized event. This years interest was so high that registration for the run closed early. Runners were allowed to select their own numbers, color scheme and and even design their own, unique tagline printed on the large number badges that were pinned to the white Nike shirts. While it seemed that most of the badges were emblazoned with  the standard Nike sample "I ran Tel Aviv", some runners got creative.

Yadin Kaufmann, a first time Nike 10K participant  from Ra'ananna, created his own clever tagline which read, "I Run, I Ran, I Raq". Another badge, created by Susie Goffstein, a UK born Israeli citizen read  "Susie Go Go".  And she did, completing the run  alongside her friend, Rhoanna Sumroy in a bit over 1 hour and 12 minutes.

Weather was certainly on the side of the runners, with cool evening air and even some sporadically heavy showers towards the conclusion of the event.

Tel Aviv, has never felt so modern and so alive as it did on this special event. The sea of white shirts created a bright wave of light on Ibn Givrol and then north up Rokeach Blvd and winding through the Hayarkon Park, fondly referred to as the Central Park of Tel Aviv. Thousands of pedestrians lined the streets cheering the runners.

For me, participating in my third Nike 10K night run in Tel Aviv was made all the more special as I was accompanied by several friends who joined in celebration of the  birthdays of one friend of mine as well as my own (which coincided with the day after event). It was great fun experiencing Tel Aviv in the same way that runners do in major modern cities all over the world. In this white city of Tel Aviv, we were no different than residents of Miami, where an ironman is slated to occur at the end of this month, or New York, which will host another marathon in a few weeks time.

Tel Aviv is truly a modern city providing a wide array of sports, beaches, museums, entertainment, top universities and more, which is probably why almost 60% of the country's population lives within a 30 minute drive.  And when we were done - we did what people around the world often do after a great workout. We went to a local favorite microbrewery,  known as Jems, and munched on chicken wings, steak bites, chips, and some of the best homemade beer in Israel. And like great restaurants that can only be found in this modern state of Israel - it was all 100% Kosher.