Greece's Pitsolis wins 41st Athens Marathon

Greece's Chalalampos Pitsolis won the 41st Athens Marathon on Sunday as he clocked 2:18:56 in the classic course from Marathon city to Athens, which follows in the footsteps of ancient soldier Pheidippides who inspired the race, reported Xinhua.

Greece's Panagiotis Karaiskos and Georgios Menis finished second and third respectively, crossing the finish line at the Panathenaic Stadium in the center of Athens.

Greek athletes swept the medal places in the women's event, with Stamatia Noula winning in 2:40:19.

Approximately 73,000 runners, including 18,000 from 152 countries and regions across the world, participated in the event, as well as over shorter distances.