Athens Classic Marathon, 2010. What a foot race!

The 28th Athens Classic Marathon is over and what a maraathon it was. The management of more than 16,000 particpants was perfection. This is no small feat for a race organization that has seen only about 3,000 participants in recent years. Local citizens lined almost the entire route, some offering olive branches. Children were excited to high-five competitors. Bravos were shouted from corners, apartment baclconies, bridge overhangs, and especially along the last kilometre before we entered the Panathenaic Stadium.

It was sunny and hot enough that we were pouring the plentiful water over ourselves as much as drinking it. The view of the hills at the Marathon, the very same protected by the Athenians from the Persian invaders 2500 years, were covered in olive trees as they were then. My corral, block 6 Orange, happened to be alongside the marathon flame which has been lit all year to celebrate the 2500 anniversary of the battle. Cities around the world that are hosting marathons are invited to bring the flame to their marathons. In Toronto, it arrived at the end of September for the Toronto Waterfront event. Look for it, if you are attending any big city events before the end of the year.

I am having some trouble uploading photos to the blog from Athens but there are a few key ones posted on my Facebook page. Check them out. You can access that page by clicking on the Facebook icon at the bottom of any page of the wowpowerwalking.com website.