Jewish Batman to Honor Victims in Toronto Marathon on Oct. 19

A runner known as the “Jewish Batman” will participate in the **Toronto Waterfront Marathon** on **October 19, 2023**, to honor the memory of the Bibas children, who were tragically killed during the **Hamas attack** on Israel on **October 7**. The man behind the mask is **Yoel Levy**, a 26-year-old fitness coach from the United Kingdom, who aims to raise awareness about the impact of this loss and provide a message of hope amid adversity.

Levy, who has gained recognition for running marathons in a Batman costume, first learned about the events in Israel while at his parents’ home in **Manchester**. He recalls the moment vividly: “It was such a bizarre way to learn about it, to see it unfolding on this medium,” he stated, reflecting on the pain and helplessness he felt. In response to the tragedy, Levy began sharing mental health resources and positive content on social media, where he has amassed around **330,000 followers**.

As he trained for his upcoming marathon, Levy was inspired by the story of **Shiri Bibas**, who, along with her two young sons, **Ariel** and **Kfir**, lost their lives in Gaza. The funeral for Shiri and her boys took place on **February 26, 2025**, and it was then that Levy decided to run in memory of the Bibas family. Ariel was a devoted Batman fan, which solidified Levy’s choice of costume. He noted that a widely shared photo shows the Bibas family dressed in Batman-themed attire during **Purim** celebrations.

This unique approach serves a dual purpose: it allows Levy to raise awareness and share the story of the Bibas family with a broader audience. He expressed concern about the limited media coverage of their tragedy, stating, “This is something the media hasn’t really covered; it’s been the Jewish media, for the most part.” Levy emphasized that many people may be hearing about the Bibas family for the first time through his efforts.

Levy’s experiences as a runner have been overwhelmingly positive, although he acknowledged feeling uncomfortable witnessing political expressions during marathons, such as the presence of Palestinian flags at the **London Marathon**. Despite facing hostility online, including hate messages, he has also received an outpouring of support from individuals across various backgrounds, thanking him for raising awareness about the Bibas family and the events of October 7.

The journey has led Levy to forge meaningful connections, including with **Yarden Bibas**, Shiri’s husband, who spent 484 days in captivity in Gaza. Yarden reached out to Levy after seeing his London Marathon run on social media and expressed his gratitude. Their meeting, along with Yarden’s mother, **Pnina**, was a poignant moment for Levy, who remarked, “I feel like I was treated like part of their family, in the hardest years of their lives.”

Levy also carries a photo of the Bibas boys during his races, which he replaces for each marathon to ensure it remains in good condition. The Bibas family laminated one for him with a note that reads, “Well done Yoel! You are truly an inspiration!” This heartfelt message underlines the emotional weight Levy carries as he runs not just for his own goals, but to uplift the memories of those who have suffered.

As he prepares for the Toronto event, Levy aims for a time of under four hours but emphasizes the significance of the cause over personal records. He previously vowed never to run another marathon after his first in **2017**, but now, he finds purpose in his efforts. “I want to give people something to cheer for, to uplift them, and to connect the Jewish Diaspora,” he said.

The **Toronto Waterfront Marathon** will be Levy’s fifth marathon. For those interested in following his journey, updates will be available on the official marathon website.

Levy’s commitment to honoring the memory of the Bibas children reflects a broader desire to bring attention to the personal toll of conflict, reminding the public of the individual lives affected by larger geopolitical events. Through his actions, he seeks to be a beacon of light and positivity, inspiring others to find hope amidst tragedy.