A few minutes after 09:00 on Sunday morning, the start was given to the 40th Authentic Marathon of Athens.

The top runners of the race started first, the first of whom are expected at the Kallimarmaro Stadium a few minutes after 11:00. It should be noted that the start for the approximately 21,000 runners is given by group.

In order to carry out the top sporting event, traffic regulations have been put into effect in the basin since Friday

Read in detail: Authentic Athens Marathon 2023: The roads that are closed – Changes to the means of transport until 20:00

“I’m especially happy because people are happy with what he’s doing. I want to congratulate everyone who contributed to the running of the race. The people of SEGAS, the volunteers, the institutional bodies, the EKAV, the police and all those who contributed. I don’t want to forget anyone. And of course our sponsors. Without them it would not be possible to hold this match”, said – among others – the president of SEGAS, Sofia Sakorafa.

Top runners in Athens

This year’s race is of particular importance for one more reason, since it marks – for the first time since 2019 – the return of elite athletes from various parts of the world to the event.

Among them Edwin Kiprop Kiptoo (Kenya), who has covered the distance in 2.08.56 at the Seoul Marathon this year, while in 2022 he achieved 2.06.52, but also 27-year-old Ronjas Lokitam Kilimo (Kenya), who has achieved this year 2.08 .08.

In Women, the best performance among the participants is Caroline Jepchirhir (Kenya) with 2.26.11 individual record and 2.27.46 this year’s performance from the Vienna race. With claims for a good performance, Vaida Nekriosine (Lithuania) will also take a starting position with 2.36.04.