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Jordanian runder Khaled Al Sheikh was the winner of 2008 Cyprus Marathon
A sunny morning and a temperature of around 21 degrees centigrade assisted in producing a festive atmosphere as more than 450 runners assembled on Sunday 16th March 2008 for the various events (Marathon, Half Marathon and 10km Road Race). The Marathon course started from Petra tou Romiou (Birthplace of Aphrodite goddess of love and beauty) and finished at the Pafos Mediaeval Fort square. The other two races (Half Marathon & 10 km Road Race) started and finished at the Pafos Mediaeval Fort square. The events were successfully organized by NIKI Sports Management. The Marathon departed at 8:30 a.m. followed by the Half Marathon at 9:15 a.m. and the 10km at 9:30 a.m. The number of runners that participated indicated the big impact of the event, as most of the runners came from abroad, especially to participate in the event. There were runners from more than 20 different countries such as England, Germany, Ireland, France, Hungary, Canada, Austria, Holland, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Russia, Argentina, Scotland, USA, Australia, Sweden, Greece and Cyprus. The Cyprus Marathon is now recognized as the major race in Cyprus. The Jordanian runner Khaled Al Sheikh won the 2008 Cyprus Marathon in a time 2:56:15. The British runner Philip Westoby was second in 3:03:21. The Netherlands lady Elisabeth Annegarn Greene was first in the women category with a time 3:57:17. The second lady was Sue Lloyd from UK with a time of 4:05:45. The Cypriot runner Panicos Neofytou with a time of 1:22:32 won the Cyprus Half Marathon with Stuart Eggleton from UK in second place with a time of 1:25:12. The British lady Nicola Scott with the time of 1:34:36 won the ladies’ race. Second lady in the Half Marathon distance was Susanne Seidel from Germany with a time 1:39:21. The male winner of the Cyprus 10km Road Race was Greek Dimitrios Kapetanos with a time of 35:39 and the female winner was British lady Sue James with the time 45:05. Each participant who finished the Cyprus Marathon 2008 was given a quality, commemorative T-shirt and a medal. Awards were given to the first three runners in each of the 48 age group categories. During the races the runners were given "ISOSTAR" to boost their energy reserves. After the races the Organisers offered to all participants ample quantities of seasonal fruit, free KEO beer, KEO juices and SAINT NICHOLAS natural mineral water. The Dance Group ‘Chorevtiko Schima to Kastro’ performed for all runners and spectators alike after the completion of the running events. It was a real running festival! Race results for all three races can be viewed in the Web page http://www.cyprusmarathon.com/results08.htm Race photos can be ordered from Fotokinisi (Tel: 26938635, E-mail: diafrag@cytanet.com.cy and Web site http://www.fotokinisi.com/ ) All in all the city of Pafos produced a spectacular event that heralded not just a few but hundreds of winners. As the many finishers exited Pafos Mediaeval Fort square an overwhelming sense of achievement radiated from the Fort. The Organisers of the Cyprus Marathon 2008 express their sincere thanks to all the sponsors of the race. The Cyprus Marathon was sponsored from Constantinou Bros Hotels (This year the race headquarters were located at Athena Beach Hotel), KEO Group, CO-OP Bank of Strovolos, Cyprus Tourism Organisation, Cyprus Airways, SpiderNet Services Public Ltd (The Internet Company), Laser Graphics Ltd, The Gallery (art+graphic design), Pafos Municipality and FOTOKINISI. NIKI sports Management would like to thank each and every one who was involved, in any capacity, in this, the running of the Cyprus Marathon 2008. Preparations have already begun for the 2009 Cyprus Marathon, which will be held on Sunday 15th March 2009. Happy running, Amathunta Half Marathon & 10 km Cyprus Marathon, Half Marathon & 10 km P. O. Box 12063 |
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