Wikipedia

Limassol Marathon

The Limassol Marathon is part of an annual European race series which takes place in Limassol, Cyprus. It was first introduced in 2006.[1] The event features a number of races over two days, including a marathon.[2]

Limassol Marathon
Dateusually in March
LocationLimassol, Cyprus
Event typeRoad
DistanceMarathon
Primary sponsorOPAP
Established2006
Course recordsMen's: 2:13:29 (2010)
Kenya Moses Kangogo
Women's: 2:38:56 (2010)
Russia Natalya Sergeyeva
Official siteLimassol Marathon
Participants338 finishers (2022)
16,000 (2019)

The marathon is recognized by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races and the International Association of Athletics Federations.[3]

History

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In 2015, the Marathon attracted more than 10,000 participants from 50 countries, of whom about 15% came from abroad. Runners are mostly European however, participation from Japan, US, Brazil, Australia, China and Turkey is very common.[4] The oldest runner in 2015 was Cypriot Andreas Pampakas, aged 78 with children as young as 5 years old participating as well.[5]

The thirteenth run was held on 23 and 24 of March 2019.[6]

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 and 2021 in-person editions of the race were merged into one event scheduled for the weekend of 28 November 2021, with all registrants given both the option of transferring their entry to a future event, as well as the option of also running the race virtually for free.[7][8][9][a]

Course

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Participants walking to the starting line of the 2024 edition, in Molos area.

The OPAP Limassol Marathon GSO course is of a low degree of difficulty. The start of the race is at the center of the city on the seafront of the Limassol promenade and follows the Mediterranean coastline along the beachfront, to the ruins of the ancient Royal City of Amathus and back to the city. The athletes head west to the Port of Limassol, passing by the streets “Christodoulou Hadjipavlou” and “Spyrou Araouzou” towards the roundabout at the Limassol Marina. The path continues towards the streets Kioproulouzate, Xelal Bazaar and the Avenue Franklin Roosevelt.

Roads are officially closed to traffic throughout the entire length of the race and medical support is offered along the race course.[11][12]

Other races

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Aside from the marathon, the event also features a half marathon, a 10 km energy Race, a 5 km city race, a 5 km corporate race and a youth race[13][14]

The full marathon begins 2 hours before the 10K and 5k.[15]

Management

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Race Directors
Years Name Country
2006–2008 George Karagiannis Greece
2009–2017 Vasilis Vavalos Greece
2018–2019 Andreas Spyrou Cyprus

Marketing

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Limassol Marathon official song of the event is called Ladies & Gentlemen (Limassol Marathon Version) it was created in 2014 by the Greek music band S.M.Fusion and was released from the record company Sugar Faktory for the 10th edition of the Limassol Marathon.

In 2016, Argos Animal Sanctuary manager, Andrew Brown run the Marathon by wearing a dog costume in temperatures reaching 22 degrees as a PR stand to attract attention for the animal shelter.[16]

Winners

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Key:    Course record (in bold)

Ed. Year Men's winner Time[b] Women's winner Time[b] Ref.
2006 only local runners ran
2007
2008   Desta Habtamu (ETH) 2:18:39   Julia Kavvaba (GRE) 3:32:46
2009   Jebel Kassahun (ETH) 2:30:45   Alina Istudora (ROU) 2:46:53
2010   Moses Kangogo (KEN) 2:13:29   Natalya Sergeyeva (RUS) 2:38:56
2011   Momanyi Basweti (KEN) 2:27:08   Lydia Jerotich (KEN) 2:47:53
2012   Jebel Kassahun (ETH) 2:29:32   Yuliya Khazova (RUS) 2:47:32
2013   Jebel Kassahun (ETH) 2:27:51   Irina Pankovskaya (RUS) 2:48:35
8 2014   Wojciech Kopeć (POL) 2:17:22   Cecilia Backman (FIN) 3:21:01 [17][18][19]
9 2015   Jebel Kassahun (ETH) 2:46:05   Caroline Jackson (GBR) 3:21:19 [20][21]
10 2016   Tomasz Klisz (POL) 2:41:47   Sylwia Bondara (POL) 3:12:40 [22]
2017   Edwin Kiyeng (KEN) 2:15:04   Gladys Biwott (KEN) 2:40:41
2018   Simon Kiprugut (KEN) 2:18:28   Olivera Jevtić (SRB) 2:44:26
2019   Abel Rop (KEN) 2:17:40   Ruth Matebo (KEN) 2:43:30
2020 merged with 2021 edition due to coronavirus pandemic [7]
2022   Egor Vinogradov (RUS) 2:30:36   Adela Paulina Baltoi (ROM) 2:50:35

Notes

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  1. ^ The 2020 edition had initially been postponed to the weekend of 22 November 2020 before being merged with the 2021 edition.[10]
  2. ^ a b h:m:s

References

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  1. ^ "Home". limassolmarathon.com.
  2. ^ "Race Weekend Programme | Cyprus Marathon". Archived from the original on 2020-11-16.
  3. ^ Run Infinity: Limassol Marathon GSO Results
  4. ^ Cyprus Mail: Limassol marathon growing in scope
  5. ^ President addresses runners in Limassol Marathon
  6. ^ "Home". limassolmarathon.com.
  7. ^ a b "IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT | Cyprus Marathon". Archived from the original on 2020-11-14.
  8. ^ "DEFERMENT EVENT POLICY | Cyprus Marathon". Archived from the original on 2020-11-14.
  9. ^ "VIRTUAL RACE | Cyprus Marathon". Archived from the original on 2020-11-14.
  10. ^ "POSTPONEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT | Cyprus Marathon". Archived from the original on 13 March 2020.
  11. ^ Limassol marathon on Sunday 2014
  12. ^ "My Next Run:OPAP Limassol International Marathon GSO". Archived from the original on 2016-04-24. Retrieved 2016-04-13.
  13. ^ Limassol Marathon
  14. ^ Distance Running UK: Limassol Marathon GSO
  15. ^ Marathon Guide: Limassol Marathon GSO & Half Marathon, 10K, 5K Limassol, Cyprus EU
  16. ^ Animal lover to run marathon in dog costume
  17. ^ "Limassol Marathon, Cyprus - 16 March 2014". Archived from the original on 27 March 2014.
  18. ^ "Limassol Marathon Results 2014". www.limassolmarathon.com. Archived from the original on 20 March 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  19. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20201117110230/https://www.worldathletics.org/athletes/-/14216909
  20. ^ "Limassol Marathon Results 2015". www.limassolmarathon.com. Archived from the original on 13 May 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  21. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20201116101808/https://www.worldathletics.org/athletes/-/014382998
  22. ^ "OPAP LIMASSOL MARATHON GSO BROKE EVERY RECORD OF PARTICIPATION! | Cyprus Marathon". Archived from the original on 2020-03-11.
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