Kenya’s Samuel Kalalei finished in the first place at the 35th Athens Marathon at Panathenaikon stadium in Athens, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017. Kalalei has won the Athens Marathon, beating compatriot Milton Rotich by just over two minutes.
Samuel Kalalei broke away from the pre-race favorite Rotich after the 35-kilometer mark to win the hilly course in 2 hours, 12 minutes and 17 seconds. Rotich placed second in 2:14:18 and Jonathan Kiptoo was third in 2:16:08.
#AthensMarathon: What an incredible moment must be for a #Marathon runner to be the 1st entering the Panathenaic Stadium! #AthensAuthenticMarathon #Athens #Greece pic.twitter.com/eX9OK2qDfZ
— Makis Papadopoulos (@papadopoulosnet) November 12, 2017
Two more Kenyans rounded out the top 5, continuing their dominance of the race in recent years.
The first Greek runner to finish was Konstantinos Gkelaouzos with 2:27-21.
Αυτοί είναι οι πραγματικοί νικητές του Μαραθωνίου #AthensMarathon pic.twitter.com/9GiUPNaZRo
— Yiannis Politis (@GiannisPolitis) November 12, 2017
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I’ve met Mr. Gkelaouzos the first Greek Finisher. He is a true gentleman, mild mannered and extremely fast and full of endurance. He amazed us fans also at the PanHellenic championships in the past as well.