The 33rd Authentic Athens Marathon race took place on Sunday morning, with almost 43,000 runners from all over the world participating in the annual event.
About 16,000 ran in the full 42.195 kilometer race that began at 7:45am, while the rest participated in the 5km, 10km, power-walking and kid races. A second 5-kilometer race was also carried out in the afternoon to satisfy the major demand.
Third consecutive year
Marathon runner Christoforos Merousis emerged victorious for the third consecutive year, finishing first in the 33rd Athens Authentic Marathon men’s race with a time of 2:21.22.
The gold in the women’s race went to Minori Hayakari from Japan, who beat local competition to come first with a time of 2:52.06.
Ninth medal
Dimitris Theodorakakos – clinching his ninth medal in a Marathon run – placed second, with a time of 2:27.03.
Third place was taken by Demosthenes Evangelidis, with a time of 2:267.28, followed by Yorgos Karavidas (2:30.41), Nikos Kalomiris (2:31.39), and Kyriakos Symiriotis, who placed sixth, with a time of 2:32.10.
Women’s category
In the women’s category, first place was clinched by Minori Hayakari of Japan, with a time of 2:52.42.
Other medallists in the women’s race were Greek runner Ourania Rempouli in second place (2:54.32) and Magda Gazea from Greece in third (2:55.35), earning her a 12 medal in the Athens marathon.
Fourth in the women’s category was Konstantina Stefanopoulou (2:59.08), followed by Gloria Priviletzio (3:02.01) and Georgia Louvi (3:04.32).
Toughest in the world
The Athens Marathon is considered the toughest in the world, as 21 kilometres – after the 10th kilometre – are somewhat uphill.
This year, the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS) did not invite top athletes from abroad due to austerity budget cuts, which explains how Greeks took all the top spots.
According to an announcement by race organisers, 19 participants in the race had to be admitted to hospital during the course of the race, of which 15 have been discharged. Four remain hospitalised in the Evangelismos Hospital cardiac arrest ward.
Source: http://www.tornosnews.gr/en/
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