2500th Anniversary of the Athens Marathon, Favourites Vow To Name the Title
Athens is celebrating 2500th anniversary of the Marathon battle, the small joust whose background and history not only gave rise to the prestigious long distance race, but also saved the democracy for the modern world. Going through the worst
economic situation of the times, the Greeks too have gone out of the town to hear some good news.
The big names which had been participating in the race were comprised of Abel Anton from Spain, Stefano Baldini from Italy, Constantina Dita from Romania, Joan Benoit from America, Rosa Mota from Portugal, Katherine Switzer from America and Briton Ron Hill.
All of these renowned and formidable names have had the privilege of winning prestigious titles like Olympics, world championships, and European titles in the marathon.
The potential of all these big names would be judged upon a track which is considered most difficult in the world. Beginning with a flat ten kilometres out of the town, it goes on rising for next 21 kilometres. Finally, it starts declining and after covering
an additional 11 kilometres, it enters into the city of Athens which is truly regarded as the haven of the 1896 Olympics stadium.
Right after arriving into Athens, Rosa Mota and Ron Hill were the first to be seen first practicing on the track. Hill was particularly excited for participating into the race as this was the place which, after failing in two Olympics games had unleashed
his potential and gave him the courage to break the formidable record of Boston by three minutes which culminated in his win in the Commonwealth games. He depicted there the then Europe’s best time of two hours, nine minutes and twenty eight seconds. He ran
the distance with wearing the shoes with a thin sole which made him felt like running barefoot.
Mota made her debut on the same track back in 1982, in the first international women’s Marathon championship. She had participated in the 3000 meters race which, till then, was considered as the longest championship distance race for women. While talking
to the media, Mota told that the farthest she had run was 15 kilometers. She further said that at that time she was just back to practice and did not expect to win, she was not even stronger enough to compete with the strong rivals. However, it was the first
marathon event ever for women, which was going to be held in the Olympics, carving a new history. She told the media that first time entering into the stadium was like a dream for her.
With a lot of great names ensuring their participation into the race, it is expected that those hailing from Kenya would most probably name the title in the big event. Kipkorir, the Kenyan runner who is being considered as the pre-favourite for the game,
while responding to the remarks of two veteran runners in a press conference said that he knew it well that the course was rather tough. However, when he got to know about the history of the event, he asked his manager to send him there for the fantastic race.
Kipkorir holds his best time of two hours, seven minutes and thirty one seconds.
Pointing out the potential close rivals for the race, Kipkorir said that Baldini was the one who had the potential to outdo him. “Baldini won a gold medal in 2004 when he crossed the finishing line in two hours, ten minutes and fifty five seconds, anyone
who could depict that good time is surely a potential winner” said the Kenyan athlete.
On women’s side, the real competition would be there between Irina Permitina and Olga Glok from Russia and Eri Hayakawa from Japan. Permitinai made it to win a bronze medal at European championship in 2006, while Glok named the Prague event held last year.
Hayakawa, who had passed the Russian pair of Aleytina and Albina at the half marathon held in Honolulu, is expected to prove to be a tough rival for the traditional rivals all over again.
Tags: