Israel's Sea of Galilee swim

Some 10,000 swimmers of all ages took part in the 64th Sea of Galilee Crossing, the oldest and largest swimming event in Israel.

The popular gathering is in memory of the late Ya'acov Hassid and consists of two events: a 1.5-kilometer (0.93 mile) family-friendly leg and the more challenging 3.5-kilometer (2.17 mile) route. The swim ends at the southern tip of the Sea of Galilee, also known as Kinneret Lake, where medals are awarded and a live band plays for revelers under the scorching sun.

The Associated Press photographer based in Israel Oded Balilty covered this year's crossing and below is a selction of his work. 

Two Israeli youth covered with mud during the annual Sea of Galilee swim, the oldest and largest popular swimming event, near Tiberias, northern Israel, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Swimmers participate in the annual Sea of Galilee swim, the oldest and largest popular swimming event, near Tiberias, northern Israel, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

A man prepares for the annual Sea of Galilee swim, the oldest and largest popular swimming event, near Tiberias, northern Israel, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Swimmers participate in the annual Sea of Galilee swim, the oldest and largest popular swimming event, near Tiberias, northern Israel, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Swimmers participate in the annual Sea of Galilee swim, the oldest and largest popular swimming event, near Tiberias, northern Israel, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

A dog joins swimmers participate in the annual Sea of Galilee swim, the oldest and largest popular swimming event, near Tiberias, northern Israel, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Swimmers participate in the annual Sea of Galilee swim, the oldest and largest popular swimming event, near Tiberias, northern Israel, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Swimmers participate in the annual Sea of Galilee swim, the oldest and largest popular swimming event, near Tiberias, northern Israel, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Swimmers participate in the annual Sea of Galilee swim, the oldest and largest popular swimming event, near Tiberias, northern Israel, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Swimmers participate in the annual Sea of Galilee swim, the oldest and largest popular swimming event, near Tiberias, northern Israel, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

A Swimmer participates in the annual Sea of Galilee swim, the oldest and largest popular swimming event, near Tiberias, northern Israel, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Swimmers participate in the annual Sea of Galilee swim, the oldest and largest popular swimming event, near Tiberias, northern Israel, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

A swimmer participates in the annual Sea of Galilee swim, the oldest and largest popular swimming event, near Tiberias, northern Israel, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Swimmers participate in the annual Sea of Galilee swim, the oldest and largest popular swimming event, near Tiberias, northern Israel, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Swimmers participate in the annual Sea of Galilee swim, the oldest and largest popular swimming event, near Tiberias, northern Israel, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

A dog joins swimmers participate in the annual Sea of Galilee swim, the oldest and largest popular swimming event, near Tiberias, northern Israel, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Swimmers participate in the annual Sea of Galilee swim, the oldest and largest popular swimming event, near Tiberias, northern Israel, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Swimmers participate in the annual Sea of Galilee swim, the oldest and largest popular swimming event, near Tiberias, northern Israel, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Swimmers participate in the annual Sea of Galilee swim, the oldest and largest popular swimming event, near Tiberias, northern Israel, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Swimmers participate in the annual Sea of Galilee swim, the oldest and largest popular swimming event, near Tiberias, northern Israel, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Swimmers participate in the annual Sea of Galilee swim, the oldest and largest popular swimming event, near Tiberias, northern Israel, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

A person observes as swimmers participate in the annual Sea of Galilee swim, the oldest and largest popular swimming event, near Tiberias, northern Israel, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

---

Photos by Oded Balilty

Oded Balilty on Instagram

See these photos on AP Images

Follow AP photographers on Twitter