Marathon race at the Mediterranean Games, 1979

[Guest]

Does anyone remember or have a reference for the Marathon race at Split in 1979? Greek winner Michalis Kousis won in an unbelievable time at the time (2.06 something) but it turned out that it was a short race. Does any one have the details?

[The King]

He's on the Greek all-time lists for the Men's marathon.

http://www.athletix.org/Statistics/alltime_men.htm

But Algonet ( http://www.algonet.se/~pela2/ )
doesn't list anything about a 2:06 on a short course.

[Guest]

Yes, here is the complete result:
1. Koussis (gre) 2h06.53"
2. Marchei (ita) 2h07.15"
3. Terzi (tur) 2h10.10"
The distance was 899 meters shorter, so - at average speed - you may consider koussis time was worth about 2h09.38", an excellent time in 1979 (it 'd be 6th on all time list, WR Derek Clayton 2h08.34").
However, November 1979 T&FN issue reports as winner Marco Marchei. Can you (GH or BH) tell me why?