TIRANA, Oct 22 /ATA/ – Seventh edition of Tirana Marathon completed on Sunday with the participants number increasing by 40% compared to last year’s marathon, biggest event of its kind in the Albanian capital.
More than 4700 amateur and professional runners from Albania and 47 different countries around the world raced for a spot in three categories: 10 km, 21 km, as well as the complete 42-km marathon.
The event included the 2.3-km long “We too” category with 22 racers running from the Skanderbeg square in a marathon section that aims to be more motivating than competitive.
Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj attended a prize awarding ceremony with the Kenyan runners dominating this year’s event and snatching the three main prizes.
In his remarks, Mayor Veliaj said that today’s marathon showed that Tirana feels like every other European metropolis.
“It was a fantastic day and an incredible feeling. This year’s marathon recorded highest international participation with runners from 47 countries. When thinking that Ukraine and Israel are at war, yet runners from both countries participated in this event, I can say this is an amazing postcard this year, when Tirana was the European Capital of Sport. Therefore, I feel really proud. Tirana today felt like every other European capital city,” Veliaj said in his remarks.
He said that the event met every European standard on such competitions.
Winners of Tirana Marathon 2023 according to categories:
42 km
Women
1.Natalia Semenovych
- Hellen Jepkosgei Kimutai
- Sonia Cekini
Men
- Ezekiel Kipkorir
- Laban Cheruiyot
- Hosea Kiplagat Tuei
21 km
Women
- Luiza Gega
- Glorius Jepkirui
- Ronah Nyaboke Nyabochoa
Men
- Hillary Kiptum Maiyo Kimaiyo
- Kennedy Kimutai Kaptila
- Nicolo Bedini
10 km
Women
- Gresa Bakraci
- Redia Dauti
- Anila Skora
Men
- Panagiotis Karaiskos
- Bledar Mesi
- Krzysztof Szymanowski
42km, Albania winners
- Ilir Këllezi
- Renato Dorzi
- Altin Vorpsi
/u.sh/
