Two days after the bombing of a metropolitan bus and its first major terror attack in years, Jerusalem held its first annual marathon. It's another example of how Israelis refuse to let terrorism slow them down.

Runners from more than 40 nations came to participate in Jerusalem's inaugural marathon.

"I'm also from London in England and we're here to do the inaugural Jerusalem marathon," one runner said. "And it's a wonderful cosmopolitan city and it's going to be a great event and a great day and the sun is shining on us."

"I mean I couldn't pass up my first marathon being in the Jerusalem marathon so I feel really excited," another runner said.

Jerusalem's Mayor Nir Barkat sponsored the marathon and wants to put the race on the map with other well known events like the New York and Boston marathons.

"You know other marathon runners in the world consider where they have not yet run," Bakarat said. "Now Jerusalem is one of those races on a short list of cities where you have to do a marathon."

In addition to the marathon, runners could choose to run a half-marathon, a 10 kilometer or a 4.2 kilometer races. They get to run near many of Jerusalem's historic sites including the Jaffa Gate and through the streets of Jerusalem's Old City.

However, two days before the marathon, a terrorist bomb exploded on a Jerusalem bus that killed one and wounded dozens. The attack on Wednesday threatened the race, but the city decided to press on with its plans.

Two days later on Friday, thousands of runners filled the streets in a visible sign that despite any threat of terror life goes on in Jerusalem.

The city plans to make the race an annual event. Next year's event is already scheduled for March 16, 2012.

--Originally aired March 25, 2011.