The full story

I dedicate this run to all those who support me at the moment in a battle much more difficult and longer than the hilly 42km between Marathon and Athens.

From Athen2010

My official time split as below;

Bib: 2918
Athlete: SZAIP ANDRAS
Start: 00:23
time behind start of block/race
5km: 26:15
10km: 51:46
21,1km: 1:59:42
30km: 3:06:01
Finish: 4:38:16


but how did I get there?

I arrived in Athens on Thursday late evening, taking a flight from Amsterdam via Rome. I was quite fed up at the end with all the airport terminals and flights I ve been to in the last 3 weeks.

On Friday I started the day by exploring the whole track by car, in order to see what I am going to face with on Sunday. The starting area was in Marathons stadium.

From Athen2010

From here to the finish area; the ancient stadium of Athen it took 1.5 hours by car over several villages and a quite curvy and hilly road, which is unusual for a marathon run.

From Athen2010

After that I went to the marathon expo to pick up my starting package including my bib number and the timing chip. Being Friday it was not crowded yet, but several runner including the favourites from Kenya were already present.

From Athen2010

Later on I visited the Akropolis and the straight of Korinthos. You can see those pics under the picasa link.

Sunday 6a.m. I had to get up to able to catch the bus bringing me to the starting area. 12000 runners were warming up there and heading to the starting blocks from several nations including China, South Africa, Brasil etc.

From Athen2010

I started on one of the front blocks, therefore had quite a high pace already from the first kilometer on. During the first 10km I did around 5min. kilometers, which I did not realise but was too fast.

From Athen2010

By the time the sun became more and more stronger and the hills more and more steaper and longer. Already at the half of the distance I became tired and as usual my joints in my knie sent me signals to slow down. Since not the time but the participation and to finish was me the more important, I slow down and did the second half of the distance with 7.5min. kilometers. That brought me to the finish as you can see on the video below.



It is a better than expected time, considering my total preparation being not more 100-120km for the whole run. I was rather powered that time by my will and endurance.