Kipkurui leads Kenyan sweep in Athens Marathon

ATHENS, Greece(AP) — Josephat Kipkurui has won the Athens Classic
Marathon, leading a Kenyan sweep in a race that traces the
ancient course that gave the event its name.

Kipkurui crossed the finish line at the Panathenian stadium in 2
hours, 13 minutes, 44 seconds on Sunday. Edwin Kipchom placed
second in 2:14:18 and Mutuku Pius Muasa took third in 2:14:39 in
a race run in rainy conditions.

Akemi Ozaki of Japan won the women’s race in 2:39:56. Degefa
Bruktayit Eshetu of Ethiopia was second in 2:40:32.

The Panathenian is the site of the first modern Olympics in
1896.

The challenging course follows the route said to have been taken
by an Athenian military courier in 490 B.C. to announce the
city’s victory over Persian invaders at the Battle of Marathon.