News06 Nov 2005


Saina and Measo are victorious in the Athens Marathon

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James Saina (KEN) wins 23rd Athens Classic Marathon in 2:16:05 (© c)

In sunny but cool weather (around 15C) more than 3000 runners left the village of Marathon at 8.30am this morning at the start of the 23rd edition of the Athens Classic Marathon.

The expected African domination, taking into account the list of the elite participants, was verified in both men’s and women’s race, where Kenyans and Ethiopians took the honours.

Both winners stressed that the good weather conditions contibuted a lot to their victories.

MEN – Saina bides his time before attacking

A group of six runners took the lead from the very first metres of the race.  Four Kenyans, Sammy Chemwno, Paul Kanda, Michale Kimutai and James Saina, along with Ethiopian Gebremadhn Gebremariam and Japan’s Tmonori Michikata ran the first 10Km in around 33.55, providing the race with a quick tempo.
 
Chemweno, who had the fastest season’s best among the participants (2:11:45), and Gebremariam, with a personal best of 2:12:01, attempted to accelerate from the pack just before the 30km, but it was not a decisive move as Kanda and Saina were able to keep them within striking distance. At this time the Japanese Michikata, who was fifth in Nagano this year (2:15:01), had been dropped and was again in fifth, around two minutes behind the race leaders.

Saina made his winning move against the leader Chemweno - Gebremariam was by then dropping back - just three kilometres before the stadium, and managed his first ever marathon race win in 2:16:05. Saina, has a personal best of 2:15:24 from when coming second in Napoli last April.

Greece’s Gerasimos Kokotos was 7th with 2:24:52 so winning the National Championship title.

The Ultra-Marathon champion, Ioannis Kouros, returned after 10 years to the Classic race. Setting 2:43.05 he placed 29th in the men's overall classification, dominating his age class (45-49). "I had forgotten the Classic race and its secrets, I was thinking that I had to run uphill all the race," he said after the race. "I came to run as a phase of my preparation for the 6-day race I have in Australia next week."
 

WOMEN - Easy win for Sisay Measo

In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Sisay Measo had no problems at all. Setting a determined pace from the start of the race, she kept the lead into the Panatinaikon Stadium, crossing the finish line in 2:38:39, in what was a dominant display.

Areba Hiruet, second last year in Athens, managed to be take second with 2:41:30, while the reigning Greek champion, Georgia Ambatzidou, placed third with 2:42:50, so claiming her fifth national title in the row.


Baldini recalls triumphant memories

Yesterday afternoon, Saturday 5 November, the Greek Government honoured Stefano Baldini of Italy for his winning performance in the 2004 Olympic Games. The Italian who was in the village of Marathon to act as the official starter of this year's race, was presented with a special trophy.

“I am happy to return to Athens 14 months after my Olympic victory, the most important achievement of my career,” confirmed the Olympic champion. Tomorrow (Sun 6 Nov), I want to ride the course on a bicycle, just to recall the memories of the last summer. In Athens I learnt how to become an Olympic Champion, in Beijing I should learn how to defend my title.”

Michalis Nikitaridis for the IAAF

Results

MEN

1. James Saina (KEN) 2:16:05
2. Sammy Chemweno (KEN) 2:16:15
3. Paul Kanda (KEN) 2:16:58
4. Gebremadhn Gebremariam (ETH) 2:17:38
5. Tomonori Michikata (JPN) 2:21:51
6. Michael Kimutai Kapkiai (KEN) 2:22:45
7. Gerasimos Kokotos (GRE) 2:24:52
8. Georgios Karavidas (GRE) 2:25:11

WOMEN

1. Sisay Measo (ETH) 2:38:39
2. Hiruet Areba (ETH) 2:41:30
3. Georgia Ambatzidou (GRE) 2:42:50
4. Elendi Donta (GRE) 2:44:37
5. Magda Gazea (GRE) 2:47:41
6. Magdalene Karimali (GRE) 2:49 :13
7. Ekaterini Fotopoulou (GRE) 3:00 :21
8. Paraskevi Gratsani (GRE) 3:03 :24

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