The Panhellenic 35km Race Walk Championship took place today in Megara (GRE) in the Varea area.
Very cold day, with a temperature of -2 ° Celsius and a sky that changed from an "almost snow" to a "pale sun".
35 km women
The year started in the best way for Antigoni Drisbioti (GRE) who, a few months after eighth place at the Tokyo Olympics, is back just as effective.
The athlete of Napoleon Kefalopoulos was the winner in the 35km in the Panhellenic Championship of Megara with the performance of 2:47:48 which is her personal best, after having improved the mark of 2:49:55, which he had set on 16.5.2021 in Podebrady.
Today's performance is Greece's new national record of this distance.
Bwelow her split times:
- 10km: 48:21
- 20km: 1:34:29 (46:08)
- 30km: 2:22:26 (47:57)
- last 5km in 25:22
Drisbioti walk alone most of the course, quickly breaking away from the other athletes, however she managed to keep her speed and finish better than the participation limits in both the Oregon World Championship and the European Championship in Munich.
"I'm doing very well, which was evident from the individual record I got. It was a race in preparation for the first major race next March. The weather generally didn't bother me, even if it was windy at times. The World Championships Teams in Oman will take place in difficult conditions, as high temperatures are expected. From then on, all events are my goal, but I want to go step by step. I'm fine and hope for a better continuation."
Second place to Kyriaki Filtisakou (GRE) in 2:51:51, demolishing her personal best of 2:55:10 (obtained on 16.5.2021 in Podebrady) and at the same time obtainin the entry standard for both World Championship in Oregon and for the European Championship in Monaco.
Third place to Christina Papadopoulou (GRE) in 2:57:39 close to her personal best of 2:57:29 also obtained in Podebrady in May 2021.
The distance debut of Olga Fiaska (GRE) is interesting who finished the race in 2:59:08 getting the fourth place and will now turn her attention to the 20 km which is her main distance.
35km men
Alexandros Papamichael (GRE) won the Panhellenic 35km championship in 2:39:43 as last year.
“I was very bothered by the strong wind, which in fact did not allow me to chase the time I wanted. It was an important training session in view of an eventful year. I continue my preparation first for the World Cup and then for the Balkan "Championship", said Papamichael.
Second place to Konstantinnos Ntentopoulos (GRE) in 2:57:31
Third place to Joannis Vaitsis (GRE) in 3:08:15.