Road running

Thousands of people will meet in Turkey's biggest city on Nov. 7 to run the 43rd edition of the Istanbul Marathon, the world's only road race where people can cross from Asia to Europe.

By George Georgakopoulos

The 4th Athens Half Marathon was an unqualified organizing and sporting success on Sunday, as thousands of runners joined in the race of the 21-kilometers and the 3k and 5k runs in the capital?s city center.

By George Georgakopoulos

True to his word, the president of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), Paco Borao finished the Athens Marathon-The Authentic on Sunday, at the age of 68 years, running the course for the first time in his life.

Interior Minister Argyris Dinopoulos on Thursday approved an advance of 400,000 euros for the Municipality of Marathon, northeast of Athens, to cover its payroll needs after Mayor Ilias Psinakis suggested on Wednesday that the municipality was close to bankruptcy.

TV celebrity and entrepreneur Ilias Psinakis, who took over as mayor of Marathon, northeast of Athens, in September, claims the municipality is close to bankruptcy because of mismanagement by previous officials.

“The party that had been going on for the last 16 years in the Municipality of Marathon is over and I am stuck with the bill,” he said.

Kenyan Athlete Edwin Kipchumba and Ethiopia's Zerife Boku were the fastest contenders at Marathon Sofia's 31st edition held on Sunday, October 12.

Kipchumba went through the 42.195 km in 2:19.06 h. He came first after closing in on other participants and taking the lead just in the last 5 kilometers.

Over 8,000 people from over 50 countries are expected to compete in this year's Bucharest International Marathon, which is half marathon and half relay races.

Parents of children under four years of age can run the 800-metre-long "Diapers Jog", while children aged five to 12 will also have their dedicated races.

The traditional Sofia Marathon will take place on October 12.

The deadline for registration is October 7.

The marathon takes place each year since 1983 and is co-organised by the Bulgarian Athletics Federation and the Sofia Municipality.

The start is at 10 AM in front of the Vasil Levski national stadium.

Kenya's Dennis Kimetto smashed the marathon world record in Berlin, winning the race in a time of two hours, two minutes and 57 seconds after setting a scintillating pace from the start to shave 26 seconds off the previous best

By George Georgakopoulos