Press Release - U.S. Men's Olympic Trials - 11/4/07

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

            Athens Classic Marathon picks up the pace,
              Kiprotich and Ponomarenko win the race

Kenyan Benjamin Korir Kiprotich and Russia's Svetlana Ponomarenko won the 
25th Athens Classic Marathon today. In mild weather conditions with 
temperatures around a maximum of 20° Celsius and an occasional light rain 
winning times were much faster than in the years before. Benjamin Korir 
Kiprotich clocked 2:14:40 on the classic route from Marathon to Athens' 
Panathinaikon Stadium while Svetlana Ponomarenko crossed the line in 
2:33:19. 

The jubilee edition of the Athens Classic Marathon saw a huge increase in 
runners compared to last year when there was a total of slightly over 5,000 
athletes. Adding all races this year the figure was up to 7,950. Among them 
were 4,750 marathon runners. Abel Anton, Spains marathon World Champion 
from Athens 1997 and Seville 1999, took the opportunity to take part in the 
10 k race.

Kenyans had won the Athens Classic Marathon three times in a row. And they 
dominated the race again today, extending their win streak. Eight of them 
formed the leading group when the half way point was passed in 68:07 
minutes. At about 35 k Benjamin Korir Kiprotich broke away and opened a 
decisive gap. "I had tried to get away earlier. But then I decided to relax 
a bit more and let the others catch me again. I was sure that I would win 
the race," said the 29 year-old who ran a personal best of 2:10:43 earlier 
this year when he finished third in Brescia. "I will now prepare for a big 
spring marathon. And it is my aim to run a time between 2:07 and 2:08," 
said Benjamin Korir Kiprotich. Kenyans Hosea Kiptanui Kimutai (2:15:03) and 
defending champion Henry Tarus (2:15:57) took second and third in Athens 
while Georgios Karavidas finished tenth in 2:23:51, taking the Greek 
championship.

In the women's race the big favourite took the honours: Svetlana 
Ponomarenko had passed half way in 1:15:56. The 37 year-old, who had won 
the Frankfurt Marathon in 2006 and has a personal best of 2:29:55, ran a 
very consistent pace. "The weather was fine for me. I would now like to 
qualify for Beijing next year," said Svetlana Ponomarenko. Chihiro Tanaka 
(Japan) took second in 2:41:01, followed by the new Greek champion 
Magdalini Gazea (2:41:31).

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