A resounding message of love for the child, inclusion and social contribution was sent by 9,898 runners and walkers, who from May 15 to 19 participated in the 8th No Finish Line Athens in the emblematic Agora of OAKA and in 100 hours recorded more than 100,000 kilometers of contribution in “Together for the Child” breaking 7 race records!
The leading sports charity event in Greece by NFL Athens and “Together for the Child” in collaboration with Ermis and OAKA for the support of children in need and which is under the auspices of the international organization No Finish Line International and Prince Albert of Monaco, offered unique emotions to the thousands of participants who responded to the call for donations to families with children with health problems or disabilities.
This year’s 8th No Finish Line Athens also achieved the big goal set by the organizers, to exceed 100,000 km and thus achieve a 50% increase in the donation to “Together for the Children” compared to the 29,543 euros of 2023, something that is implemented with the great contribution of National Insurance and Lidl Hellas, the two big and highly aware sponsors of No Finish Line Athens from 2017 until today who are firmly on the side of the organization.
The official results with the exact number of total kilometers recorded by the thousands of participants in the 8th No Finish Line Athens, will be announced on May 24 and after the race result and the timing-mileage team have completed the check for possible doubles participations, so that the necessary actions can be taken and the final result can be obtained.
The curtain of the 100-hour ultra-marathon race of sports and charity fell with the president of the organization Sofia Kede and the managing director of No Finish Line International Yiannis Nikolaou, together with the daughter of the president of “Together for the Children” Aliki Martinou and the director of the association Lenia Kontogouri, to welcome the Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Sofia Zaharakis, to the Agora of OAKA, who declared herself present at the 8th No Finish Line Athens and even awarded the cup to the 1st team in the general ranking, the 7th Primary School of Agia Paraskevi in ​​collaboration with the Penteli Special School.
Ms. Zaharaki, as the head of one of the most relevant ministries for the specific match, together with the Ministry of Education and Sports, among others, emphasized:
“I feel that I am very happy and honored to be here today at the 8th No Finish Line Athens. People respond when they see that there is sincere intent and an abundance of love for those in real need. Congratulations to the organizers, to all the companies that offer and of course to the citizens who embrace this great event with love and generosity. The message of inclusion that exists in sports should also be there as a society, where no one should be left out”.
However, present as a participant was the current minister of the interior and until a few months ago the minister of education Niki Kerameos, recording kilometers with her children, as well as the general secretary of sports Giorgos Mavrotas who gave the start of the race, the president of the Greek Paralympic Committee Giorgos Kapellakis to support the paralympic mile run and the three responsible deputy regional governors, of the northern sector of Attica, Loukia Kefalogiannis, of education and social policy, Erriks Prezerakou, and of sports and Olympic ideal, Vasiliki Millousis, who have embraced the event with particular warmth.
The 8th No Finish Line Athens had many other important appearances by people from sports, music, entertainment who participated voluntarily and supported the organization and “Together for the Children”.
The ambassadors and ambassadors of No Finish Line Athens and its major sponsors, Olympians, Paralympians and champions Giorgos Sloukas, Antonis Tsapatakis, Grigoris Polychronidis, Alexandra Stamatopoulou, Katerina Thanou, Kostas Filippidis, Byron Kokkalanis, Spyros Andriopoulos, Anastasia Mar were distinguished inaku , as well as the members of the national youth and women’s basketball teams and rising stars Vassilis Charalambopoulos, Penelope Pavlopoulou, Eleana Christinaki, Alexandros Alexakis, Dimitris Pagonis, Tasos Rozakeas and the women’s national volleyball team Gina Lambrousi, Marialena Artakianou.
However, the contribution and support of distinguished people from the entertainment industry (music, theater, television) such as George Kapoutzidis, Christos Dantes, Konstantinos Christoforou with One, Bessy Argyraki with Sofia Arvanitis, Kostas Martakis, George Livanis was also unique. , Akis Deiximos, Dafni Lawrence, Klavdia with Playmen, Stefanos Pitsiniagas, Lava and Ropex, TV presenter Nikos Syrigos and chefs Gogo Delogianni, Alexandros Papandreou.
7peat for Lindita Hokia and course record for Stefanos Paterakis in the 100h Elite Ultra Run!
The winner of the competitive 100-hour ultramarathon at the 8th No Finish Line Athens was Stefanos Paterakis who also set a race record with 501.4 km. Nikos Porfyropoulos finished in second place with 456.2 km of bid, who went up to the award holding a flag for the Greeks of Pontus, while in third place was Symeon Tsikrikis with 434 km.
Laconic Stefanos Paterakis sent his own message via nflathens.com:
“Happiness cannot and should not be based on the unhappiness of others”!
The usual suspect, Lidita Hokia was the winner in the women’s race with a total of 361.9 km, making it… 7peat, ous and 6th overall in the Elite ultramarathoners’ standings. Vasiliki Bouga finished in second place with 282 km and 9th place in the general classification of the 100h Elite Ultra Run.
The great winner of the competition for 7 consecutive years, Lindita Hokia underlined:
“I am very happy for this victory of mine. I am coming for this very beautiful race in Athens from Alexandria Imathia because the purpose is sacred. As long as I am well and as long as I can, I will be here and run in the race”!
In the teams where we had a very big match for another year between the German School and the 7th Primary School of Agia Paraskevi with the Special School of Penteli. The first place was finally occupied by the 7th Primary School of Agia Paraskevi in ​​collaboration with the Special School of Penteli, leaving in second place last year’s winner the German School of Athens and in third place the National Insurance Company, which was also the first team from the companies.
Maria Rovithi is again the winner in the Lidl Woman Run 5km., under the watchful eye of Kapoutzidis-Tsapatakis!
The most ardent and loyal supporter of the organization dedicated to “Together for the Child”, Giorgos Kapoutzidis, together with the Paralympian and world champion in swimming, Antonis Tsapatakis, signaled the start of the Lidl Woman Run 5km parallel race, while together with the company ambassador and well-known chef Gogo Delogianni, also presented the awards to the winners.
The race was very upsetting with Maria Rovithi leading for four laps, Marina Arabatzi overtaking her at one point, but Rovithi was the one who found the strength and reacted to be the first to cut the finish line with a time of 22:08.52 which is and a new race record by doing it back to back (she was also a winner in 2023), leaving Arabatzi in second place, who collapsed from the pressure and finished with a time of 22:20.57. Stavrina Kontrafouri climbed to the third step of the podium with a performance of 22:51.88.
Maria Rovithi explained to nflathens.com:
“I got a little confused because I thought I had finished earlier and that’s why I relaxed during the race, but then I figured it out and managed to take the win. I really like this race and that’s why I come every year. I’ve been here since day one and I’m going to put in a lot more kilometers than the 5 I did today and that’s exactly what it’s all about!”
Another special race in the program of the 8th NFL Athens was the Zagoraki Kids Relays, supported by the Greek bottled water industry Chitos ABEE, a unique children’s relay festival in Greece, where more than 300 children competed on the special track set up in the Agora of OAKA , in the presence of their parents and their coaches, as well as ambassadors of the organization of distinguished champions-three such as Katerina Thanou, Kostas Filippidis and Spyros Andriopoulos.
At the top of the 24h Elite Ultra Run Ioannis Pantazis and Mata Klisaris!
A few hours before the women’s race, the finish of the 24h Elite Ultra Run took place where the winner was Ioannis Pantazis, recording 225.2 km with a race record (he beat Mikrogiannakis’ 201.2 km from 2021), leaving him in 2nd Fotis Bellalis took first place with 182.9 km, while Konstantinos Koukoulis was 3rd with 174.2 km.
Speaking to nflathens.com, Ioannis Pantazis said:
“The match was excellent. But I want to thank all the volunteers who were by our side day and night and supported us. The purpose of the action was to collect kilometers to be converted into money for Together for the Children. The truth is that I wanted to do something strong today so I’m glad I made the record, but what matters is that everyone’s contribution is of great value!
Among the women, Mata Klisari was the winner with 181.9 km, also achieving a race record as well as the qualification limit for the Spartan Athletics, occupying 3rd place in the general classification of men and women. Katerina Konstantinidou finished second with 165.5 km, who was also 5th in the general ranking, while Niki Milatou was 3rd with 120.3 km.
Immediately after the award, Mata Klisari said:
“I am very happy to have participated in such an event and of course with the performance I did in my first participation in such a race. Great experience and excellent organization. Next year I will come again for a bigger record”!
In total, the runners of the 24-hour ultramarathon covered 5,447 kilometers and their prizes were handed over by the holder of the Panhellenic marathon record from 1988 until today (36 years), Spyros Andriopoulos.
Major Sponsors of the 8th No Finish Line Athens are National Insurance Company and Lidl Hellas.
Distinguished sponsors are Zagori Natural Mineral Water, Athens Medical Group and ANTENNA Group.
Official sponsors are MEVGAL, Herbalife, Japanese and Crossover.
Major Supporters are Papadopoulou, Barilla, Algida, Fix Anew and Counterpain.
Distinguished Sponsors are the dermatology company Frezyderm, the multiplex Village Cinemas, the Moxy Athens City hotel, the car service company Avis and the courier service company ACS.
Official Sponsors are the companies Fiore, En Olympos, Begnis, Chaidemenos and Instaride.
Communication sponsors are Easy 97.2, Athens Voice and Sportsfeed.gr.
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I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
