Maria Polyzou: verified milestones in Greek marathon running
Maria Polyzou holds the Greek women’s marathon record at 2:33:40 from the 1998 European Championships in Budapest. One year earlier, she placed 12th at the World Championships in Athens, running 2:39:10 on the Authentic course.
The 2:33:40 in Budapest
On 23 August 1998, Polyzou ran 2:33:40 at the European Championships in Budapest. World Athletics marks the performance as a national record, while the current SEGAS national-record table lists the same athlete, time, competition and date.
The performance produced 13th place at the European Championships. The “Greek record” wording reflects the official tables checked on 1 September 2026.
Twelfth place in Athens in 1997
At the 1997 World Championships in Athens she placed 12th in the marathon in 2:39:10. SEGAS records that time as the fastest Greek women’s performance on the Authentic course.
This was the World Championships marathon on the course. It should not be described as a win or appearance in the annual Athens Marathon event.
Two different records that must not be merged
- 2:33:40 — Greek women’s national marathon record, Budapest 1998.
- 2:39:10 — Greek women’s best on the Authentic course, World Championships Athens 1997.
- The first is the overall national record; the second is specific to one course.
How this profile was written
Only official results and performance tables were used. No personal, family or medical narrative is reproduced, and no photograph is used without permission.
If an official custodian updates the record, Bib2Bib will correct the article and show a new fact-check date.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Greek women’s marathon record?
2:33:40 by Maria Polyzou in Budapest on 23 August 1998, according to World Athletics and SEGAS records checked on 1 September 2026.
What did she achieve in Athens in 1997?
She placed 12th in the World Championships marathon in 2:39:10, the fastest Greek women’s performance on the Authentic course.
Is 2:39:10 the overall Greek national record?
No. The overall national record is 2:33:40; 2:39:10 is the Greek women’s best on that specific Authentic course.