8th Int’l Alexander the Great Marathon: Thessaloniki to Boston

credit alexanderthegreatmarathon

All over the world, and especially in Greece, people stand united in the same spirit of freedom to participate in mass athletic events such as marathons in the framework of communicating the values of brotherhood, peace, solidarity and healthy competition. The 8th International Alexander the Great Marathon was held in Thessaloniki at the weekend with the participation of more than 12,500 runners who were wearing a black bracelet saying "Thessaloniki to Boston" and the message "Why? Γιατί;".

The winner of the race was Teklu Geto Metaferia from Ethiopia who finished first for the second year in a row, while Ethiopia’s Tefera Dedas Abate and Greece’s Antonis Papadimitriou won the second and the third place respectively.

The annual event, started in Pella, capital of Philip II of Macedon, birthplace of Alexander, and runners covered the full 42.2km Marathon distance to the White Tower trademark square in Thessaloniki.

Subsequent 5km and 10km running distances also took place, as well as a 1.000m race for children and "social responsibility".

Participants and sponsors included the Hellenic Society for Protection and Rehabilitation of Mentally of Physically Challenged Children, the NGO "Desmos" assisting welfare foundations, the "SOS child village" refuge, the A21 Campaign against human trafficking, the Down Syndrome Association and the "Melissa" girl orphanage, etc.

Reference - http://alexanderthegreatmarathon.org/index.php