At the starting line of the 40th Athens Marathon (12/11) will stand about 21,000 runners. People of all ages will take a starting position and everyone through their own battle will try to transfer their story to the finish at the Panathenaic Stadium.

This year's race has special significance for another reason: it marks the return of elite athletes to the event. Runners from all over the world, who will not come to Athens just for the experience, but to become part of history claiming even the route record.

For the first time since 2019, the elites return to the race and based on the entries they will claim excellent performances. Edwin Kiprop Kiptoo (Kenya) has covered the distance this year in 2.08.56 at the Seoul Marathon, while in 2022 he achieved 2.06.52 and shows that he is able to achieve performances even close to the course record of Kandie Felix, which is 2.10.37 from 2014. Rhonzas Lokitam Kilimo (Kenya), who has achieved 2.08.08 this year and at the age of 27 will claim victory in the Authentic Marathon of Athens. In women, the best performance among the participants is Caroline Jepchirchir (Kenya) with 2.26.11 personal record and 2.27.46 this year from the Vienna race. With claims for a good performance, Vaida Zusinaite-Nekriosiene will also take a starting position (Lithuania) with 2.36.04.

Course records

• Authentic Course Record

Men: 2:10:37 KANDIE FELIX KIPCHIRCHIR (KEN) 9/11/14 32nd AMA
Women: 2:26.20 NOGUCHI MIZUKI (JPN) 8/22/04 O.G.

• Athens Marathon event Course Record

Mens: 2:10:37 KANDIE FELIX KIPCHIRCHIR (KEN) 9/11/14 32nd AMA
Women 2:31.06 DRAZDAUSKAITE RASA (LTU) 30/10/10 28th ACM