Five hundred people participated in the “EstheRun,” in the Reihan Forest in Samaria on Friday to commemorate Esther Horgan, who was murdered in the forest by a Palestinian terrorist on Dec 20, 2020, while out jogging.
This was the second EstheRun; the first took place in April 2021, four months after her death.
The race started from the spot where Horgan left for her last run—Talley Orot Elementary School in Hinanit, a community in northern Samaria—and continued to the forest where she was killed by Mohammad Kabha, who lay in wait and struck her in the head several times with a large rock.
Kabha was sentenced to life in prison.
“To run where Esther was murdered—a victory of life,” said Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council.
“It’s a chilling but also exciting and empowering closing of the circle. Two-and-a-half years ago, Esther ran here, a mother, grandmother, wife, a wonderful woman whose bright character we’ve all learned about. She fell in the battle for the Land of Israel, for Samaria, before a barbaric enemy.
“Our commemoration is a sign of life, growth, joy, just like she was,” Dagan said.
Esther’s husband, Benjamin, said, “It’s exciting. Here, Israel runs together to remember her.”
Also participating in the race was Brig. Gen. Eran Niv, head of the IDF’s Computer Service Directorate, and his children.
The EstheRun took place with the help of the sports department of the Samaria Regional Council in cooperation with the For Us Tour and Study Center, Marathon Israel, which organizes running events throughout the country, and Real Timing, which provides advanced technology for Israeli races.