2009 Athen's Marathon is a thrilling one

November 9, 3:15 AMPortland Senior Fitness ExaminerCaitlin Chock

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Athens is the famed site of the very first Marathon running.
Photo courtesy of the Athen's Marathon

Returning to the site of the very first Marathon, the 2009 Athen's Classic Marathon set out against rainy skies. The course itself is noted to be that of a beast, hilly and capable of breaking the spirits of even the most formidable athletes. Paula Radcliffe herself was humbled by the 26.2 mile course during the Athens Olympics. Yet today was a different battle waged among the men and women competing.

On the men's side, the victor came out to be a mere 23 year old Josephat Kipkirui Ngetich heralding from Kenya. His time of 2:13:44 was not only a clear personal best at only his second attempt at the distance, but also the second best time on the course over the 26 years of the running of the Athen's Classic Marathon race. Ngetich broke the Ethiopian Edwin Kipchom who looked to be his toughest competition and prevailed by a little over half a minute.

As for the women, Japan's Akemi Ozaki made a latter race charge to not only catch up but then beat the leaders that had gaped her at 30k in a surge of her own and finished in 2:39:56. Behind her was Eshetu Degefa from Ethiopia in 2:40:32, followed by Sviatlana Kouhan from Belarus in 2:40:54. Proving she was much stronger than her counterparts, she had left them all behind by the 39k mark.