Just until two years ago, now-professional cyclist Goldie Gelhar had not done any sports in her life at all. Born and raised in the ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak, she only attended one swimming lesson as a child, but dropped out after the teacher said she had "weak legs."
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
"In the Haredi world, sports is not talked about that much, not for men and not for women, so most people live their lives without any physical exercise at all, until one day, they realize that without it, they cannot exactly live a long, happy life," Gelhar told Israel Hayom.
She herself came to such a realization and took up running, and later cycling.
"I got into it during the coronavirus, because I didn't have a job and had a lot of free time on my hands, and, frankly, felt like my body was rotting. This, of course, happened in other sectors as well, but especially by Haredim, because children did not study via Zoom and just sat at home doing nothing. I myself decided to go for a run and see how I feel."
Little did Gelhar know that she would come to love sports so much that less than two years later she would be training for the Ironman 70.3 triathlons in Tiberias – also known as the Half Ironman – which is taking place in Israel this year for the first time.
The competition, which is scheduled to be held on Nov. 12, consists of 1.9 kilometers of swimming, 90 kilometers of cycling, and 21.1 kilometers of running. It is considered an exceptionally challenging competition. In comparison, the Olympic triathlon is 1.5 kilometers of swimming, 40 kilometers of cycling, and 10 kilometers of running.
"I want to win and get on the podium, but I know that even if I don't, what I already do for myself and the ultra-Orthodox society is already my success," Gelhar said.
"When Haredi women ask me how I find the time for sports, I tell them that there's always a way. Not everyone has to participate in such competitions and train 17 hours a week like I do. Taking a Pilates class would already do wonders for ultra-Orthodox women. As for Haredi children, running alone would change their lives.
"I tell them that even spiritually speaking, the feeling you get when you run is unlike anything else. Ultra-Orthodox women have busy lifestyles, but even they get time off, the majority of which they do not devote to sports."
With an entire sector behind her, Gelhar dreams big.
"I don't think the state is doing enough to bring ultra-Orthodox women into the world of sports. I want to create a mixed running group for ultra-Orthodox and secular women that I think will contribute to Israeli society in terms of sport and many other ways," she said.
The first 40 participants to finish the Half Ironman will qualify for the 2022 Ironman 70.3 World Championship in New Zealand in December.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
