Kenyans finish 1-2-3 at Athens Classic Marathon

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ATHENS, Greece (AP) -- Kenya's Josephat Kipkurui won the Athens Classic Marathon Sunday, in a race tracing the ancient course that gave name to the event.

The 23-year-old Kipkurui crossed the finish line at the marble Panathenian stadium in 2 hours, 13 minutes, 44 seconds after pulling away late from compatriot Edwin Kipchom. Kipchom finished in 2:14:18 in a race staged in rainy conditions.

Another Kenyan, Mutuku Pius Muasa, was third in 2:14:39.

Akemi Ozaki of Japan was the fastest woman in 2:39:56, with Degefa Bruktayit Eshetu of Ethiopia second in 2:40:32.

The race ended at the stadium where the first modern Olympics took place 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.

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