Record-breaking 40th Athens Marathon Sends Message of Peace

Winner of the 40th “Athens Marathon. The Authentic”: Edwin Kiptoo from Kenya crossing the finish line. Photo source: SEGAS / Markos Houzouris, EUROKINISSI

One more  “Athens Marathon. The Authentic” event came to a close on Sunday after more than 70,000 runners and athletes, as well as visitors from across the globe participated in the 40^th anniversary of the historic long-distance race in Attica, Greece.

According to organizers of the marathon, the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS), 17,000 runners passed the finish line this year breaking all records to date.

Winner of the 40^th anniversary Athens Marathon was Edwin Kiptoo from Kenya, who clocked a time of 2:10:34, followed by Rhonzas Lokitam Kilimo from Kenya also (02:12:36), and in third place Félicien Muhitira from Rwanda (2:12:36).

Edwin Kiptoo from Kenya running to his win during the “Athens Marathon. The Authentic”. Photo © Greek Travel Pages (GTP)

In the women’s category: Soukaina Atanane from Morocco with a time of 2:31:52 came in first, followed by Caroline Chepkwony (02:32:19) from Kenya, and in third place Gloria Privileggio (2:43:20) for Greece.

Soukaina Atanane from Morocco reaching the finish line. Photo © Greek Travel Pages (GTP)

A message of peace, brotherhood and solidarity was sent by the athletes, running teams and visitors who had gathered in Greece for the country’s largest sporting event.

Greek runners to enter the Panathenaic Stadium first were Panagiotis Karaiskos with a time of 2:22.37 (7^th overall), Charalambos Pitsolis (2:23.34, 8^th overall), and Giorgos Minos (2:23.56, 9the overall).

Greek Deputy Sports Minister Yiannis Vroutsis, with the first three Greeks to pass the finish line: Giorgos Minos, Panagiotis Karaiskos and Charalambos Pitsolis. Photo source: SEGAS / Markos Houzouris, EUROKINISSI

In the women’s category, Gloria Privileggio came in first clocking 2:43.19 and third overall, followed by Stamatia Noula (2:46:53), and Panagiota Vlachaki (2:51:56).

The first three women to cross the finish line: Gloria Privileggio, Stamatia Noula and and Panagiota Vlachaki. Photo source: SEGAS / EUROKINISSI

This year’s event was also marked by the participation of long-distance runner Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima from Brazil, who had won Bronze at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Lima went from 1^st to 3^rd place in 2004 after being attacked on the road by an Irish priest. De Lima has also been awarded the Pierre de Coubertin medal for the sportsmanship he displayed in 2004.

40th “Athens Marathon. The Authentic”: Brazilian runner  Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima crossing the finish line. Photo source: SEGAS / Markos Houzouris, EUROKINISSI

SEGAS President Sofia Sakorafa welcomed the runners at the Panathenaic Stadium and thanked the hundreds of volunteers who made the anniversary a success..

Kefalogianni: The Athens Marathon brought Athens into the global spotlight

SEGAS President Sofia Sakorafa with Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni. Photo source: SEGAS / Yiannis Panagopoulos, EUROKINISSI

Also present this year, Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni said the Athens Marathon managed once again to bring Athens into the global spotlight.

“This annual celebration of sports unites thousands of athletes and visitors from all over the world and transmits the ideals of peace and mutual respect,” the minister said in an announcement.

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni. Photo source: Tourism Ministry

“The Tourism Ministry is supporting this great sporting event which is a reference point for sports but also for the city of Athens, as the Authentic Marathon is now part of its cultural heritage and identity.”

Participating on behalf of the tourism ministry in the parallel 5km race were Deputy Tourism Minister Elena Rapti and Secretary General for Tourism Policy Myron Flouris.

The Greek Travel Pages (GTP) is a communication sponsor of the “Athens Marathon. The Authentic”.