Athens Half-Marathon attracts 12,000 participants

By George Georgakopoulos

Some 12,000 people on Sunday morning participated in the races of the Athens Half Marathon, that is evolving into another street event with prestige in the birthplace of the Marathon.

Winning the 21-kilometer race was Greek champion Michalis Parmakis, clocking one hour, nine minutes and 55 seconds as he finished first among some 4,500 runners.

The first woman in the race was Magda Gazea, covering the distance in 1.22.09.

There were thousands participating in the three- and five-kilometer races, while there was also a 1,000-meter race for children with special needs.

The Athens Marathon, rebranded from this year as “authentic”, will take place in November along the original course from Marathon to the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens.