Ethiopian Manazot Sets New Athens Marathon Record

More than 85,000 runners from 124 countries took part in the two-day 43rd Athens Authentic Marathon, setting a new participation record for the event. About 25,000 runners started the classic 42.195-kilometer route from Marathon to the Panathenaic Stadium on Sunday morning.

Ethiopian runner Manazot Tafari crossed the finish line first at the Panathenaic Stadium, completing the distance in 2 hours, 10 minutes and 3 seconds. His time improved the previous race record by 31 seconds.

“I am very happy that I managed to achieve my goal and win my race.”

The previous record had been set in 2023 by Kenyan runner Enduin Kiptu with a time of 2:10:34. Ethiopian runner Asefa Tefera Mengisa finished second in 2:10:18, just 15 seconds behind the winner.

Kenyan runner Patrick Keter Kiplangat took third place in 2:11:22, while his compatriot Vincent Kipsang Rono finished fourth in 2:12:06. Eritrean runner Nguse Amlosom Tesfaldet completed the top five with a time of 2:12:20.

Greek runner Kostas Stamoulis was the first Greek to finish, completing the race in 2 hours, 17 minutes and 40 seconds. He placed eighth overall and dedicated his victory to his family.

Stamatia Noula won the women's race and broke the Greek national record with a time of 2:35:10, improving on Maria Polizou's previous mark of 2:39:10. The Saturday program also included two 5-kilometer races and 1,200-meter races for children, Special Olympics athletes and people with disabilities.