Moroccan athlete Abdelkrim Boubker won the 29th Athens Classic Marathon, running the 42 kilometers original course of the race from the Marathon Tomb to the Panathinaikon stadium where the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896.
Boubker won in 2 hours, 11 minutes 40 seconds.Kenya’s Sammy Kipkosgei Chumba and Daniel Nderitu Gatheru were second and third in 2:13:27 and 2:16:12, respectively.
Boubker expressed his “overwhelming joy” , promising to compete in Athens again next year, surrounded by Kenyan athletes Kipkosgei Chumba and Daniel Ndiritu Gatheru who finished second and third.
“It is encouraging that in difficult times the spirit of the Marathon race lives on, sending the world the message that the strength of human spirit can win all challenges,” City of Athens Mayor Yorgos Kaminis stressed, referring to the financial crisis that has hit hard Greece and world economy over the past two years, as well.
Greek track and field federation SEGAS which organizes the event recently signed an accord with UNESCO which recognizes the cultural heritage of the event. The proceeds from the Athens Marathon will go to educational programs in Africa.
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