Honours to Organizers of the Oldest Marathon per Continent AT A GALA DINNER CELEBRATING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF AIMS AND THE ATHENS CLASSIC MARATHON

Honours to Organizers of the Oldest Marathon per Continent
Africa – Comrades Marathon – South Africa (Since 1921) – America – Boston Marathon – USA (Since 1987) Asia – Fukuoka Marathon – Japan (Since 1947) – Europe – Kosice Peace Marathon – Slovakia (Since 1924) Oceania – Rotorua Marathon – New Zealand (Since 1965)

MAKAU & MOTA HONOURED

Patrick Makau and Rosa Mota were recognised on the 9th of November at a Gala Dinner to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the foundation of the Association for International Marathons and Distance Race (AIMS) and the Athens Classic Marathon (ACM). The Gala Dinner took place in Athens, the birthplace of the Marathon and the location of the new AIMS headquarters.  The joint celebration of AIMS & ACM was presented by the Patron of AIMS and major sponsor of ACM, OPAP S.A., the leading gaming operator in Greece.  

Makau was honoured as the current Marathon World Record Holder (2.03’.38”in the 2011 Berlin Marathon). Mota was recognised as the winner of the first international championships marathon in history here in Athens when she won the European title in 1982, went on to become Olympic champion in Seoul 1988.

The Full Roll of Honour is as follows: Honours to Marathon Athletes

Patrick Makau – Marathon World Record Holder (2.03’.38” in 2011)
Rosa Mota – Marathon Gold Olympic Medal in Seoul (1988)
Nikos Pollias – Greek Male Best Performance on the Authentic Marathon Course (2.17’.56” in 2004)
Georgia Ampatzidou – Greek Female Multi-Winner on the Authentic Marathon Course (7 times since 2001)

Honours to Leaders of AIMS, IAAF & SEGAS

Horst Milde – Founding Member (1982) & Board Member of AIMS (1999-2010)
Valentin Balakhnichev – Honorary Treasurer of IAAF
Vasilis Sevastis – Former President of SEGAS (1997-2012)

Honours to Athletes-Record Holders of Athens Classic Marathon

Tina Kefala – Greek Female Best Performance on the Authentic Marathon Course (2.40’.36” in 2010)
Stavros Zisis & Kostas Tsagkarakis – Greek Multi-Participants on the Authentic Marathon Course (27/24 times)

Honour to the Longest Serving Course Measurer of AIMS

Jean François Delasalle – since 1993

 
Patrick Makau comments: “It’s an honour for me to come and receive this award at the birthplace of the Olympic Games and the birthplace of the marathon”.

Rosa Mota comments: “The Olympics began here, the marathon began here, and my career as a marathon runner began here”.   

AIMS President Paco Borao comments: ‘The marathon and running movement continues to grow around the world contributing to a healthy lifestyle and more and more bringing people together through sport creating new friendships across borders. It is extremely pleasing to see these great names in the sport recognised in this way, along with all award recipients.’

 
Gordon Sheach