ATHENS, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- Greek champion Konstantinos Gkelaouzos won on Sunday the 38th edition of the Athens Authentic Marathon which resumed after last year's break due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gkelaouzos, 31, crossed the finish line at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens in 2:16:49, a personal record for the authentic course.

The Greek athlete did not manage to break the race's record at the 42km classic course from Marathon city to Athens which follows in the footsteps of the legendary ancient soldier Pheidippides who inspired the race.

According to legend, he first ran the route from the battlefield of Marathon beach to Athens in 490 BC to inform Athenians of the victory against Persian forces.

Kenya's Felix Kipchirchir Kandie holds the best time in the Athens Authentic course since 2014 when he clocked 2:10:37.

"I wish we will all be here again next year with more spectators and new records," Gkelaouzos told Greek national broadcaster ERT.

He dedicated his victory to a fellow Greek runner who was diagnosed with COVID-19 four days before the race, he said.

Some 30,000 runners (half the number of 2019 record registrations) participated in the 42km course and the 10km and 5km races this year as the organizing committee of the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS) set limits due to the pandemic.

They were all awarded a special collective medal designed by prominent Greek sculptor Costas Varotsos.

Greek runners Panagiotis Mpourikas and Chalarambos Pitsolis ranked second and third respectively, while Greek long-distance runner Gloria Priviletzio was first in the women's category. Enditem

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