Press Release - Athens Classic Marathon - 10/21/14

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

         Defending Champion Hillary Yego Faces Strong Challenge 
            from Event Record Holder Raymond Bett in Athens

The lure of the original marathon course leading from Marathon to the 
Panathenaikon Stadium in Athens weaves its spell not only on mass runners 
but the elite as well. Despite the tough course which makes setting 
personal bests a tough proposition indeed, the organisers of the "Athens 
Marathon. The Authentic" confirmed that both defending champions will 
return to the race on 9th November, the Kenyans Hillary Yego and Nancy Joan 
Rotich. Another runner who clearly loves racing on the authentic course is 
Raymond Bett. The Kenyan will be running the event for the fourth time, 
having won twice and set the current event record of 2:11:35.

The organisers of the Athens Marathon re-named the event earlier this year 
and it is now known as "Athens Marathon. The Authentic." This change aims 
to emphasise its unique historical background and a record number of some 
13,000 runners will take part on 9th November. Taking into account shorter 
races staged in Athens the same day and the total number of entries is 
around 35,000. Registration for the races is closed at present. However 
there may be a late availability due to last moment cancellations. Runners 
are asked to check the event's website at: www.athensclassicmarathon.gr

Hillary Yego caused a surprise last year, when the unknown marathon runner 
won in 2:13:51. Since then the 27 year-old has improved his personal best 
to 2:11:54 when he was sixth in the Marrakech Marathon in January. He has 
certainly had a busy 2014 since Athens will be his fourth marathon of the 
year.

One who will strongly challenge the defending champion is Raymond Bett. The 
Kenyan won the Athens Marathon in 2010 and 2012, clocking event records on 
both occasions. Four years ago Bett ran 2:12:40, then improved the time to 
2:11:35 in 2012. The Kenyan returned last year and intended to the attack 
the course record of 2:10:55 which was set by the Italian Stefano Baldini 
in winning the Olympic title in 2004. However Bett suffered stomach 
problems and dropped out after 25 k. The

30 year-old will be eager to make up for the disappointment. Bett will be 
ready to chase another triumph and establish a unique series by taking the 
race in every even year since 2010!

"Athens is the origin of marathon running and the Olympic Games started 
here. This is why I like Athens and come back to the race again and again. 
It is a legendary marathon," said Raymond Bett. There are two more Kenyans 
returning to the Greek capital who have good memories of the Athens 
Marathon: Dickson Cheruiyot was last year's runner-up and David Rutoh 
placed third in 2013. 

As far as international success is concerned, another name on the start 
list catches the eye: John Kelai is Kenya's Commonwealth Games marathon 
champion from 2010 and finished fifth in this year's Games in Glasgow. His 
best is 2:09:09 and if he can reproduce that kind of form, he should be a 
definite contender.

Last year's women's champion also has a strong sense of history for the 
marathon. Soon after crossing the finish line, Nancy Joan Rotich was in 
reflective mood 12 months ago: "It was a great feeling to finish inside the 
old Olympic Stadium. The Athens Marathon is special, so I am very proud to 
have won this historic race", said Rotich after winning the women's title 
in 2:41:32. The 26 year-old Kenyan hopes to repeat that experience on her 
return to Athens. Among her rivals there will be Russia's Kamila 
Shamsutdinova, who has a personal best of 2:35:31, and Yumiko Kinoshita. 
The Japanese was fifth in this year's Nagano Marathon with a personal best 
of 2:39:38.

More Information and online entry is available at: 
www.athensclassicmarathon.gr

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