Marathon is more than a respectable sport event is for some the “acme of athletic heroism”. Athens Marathon, the Authentic is the annual event that connects the past with the present, the ancient glory of Greece with the boundless strength of will-power. Get in step with the past and conquer your personal triumph in the city where Marathon values were born.

The History

First it was a rural city, and then became the place of a legendary battle; the victory of Athenians over the Persians (490B.C.) gave birth to a Race that inspires the world. The Marathon Race.

Pheidippides was a long-distance runner or courier as we can say today but for Ancient Greece it was a hero and his accomplishment an inspiration for the modern sporting event of Marathon Race.

490 B.C. the Persian fleet anchored in the bay near Marathon turning the plain into a battlefield for an invasion to Athens state. Miltiades the Athenian general sends Pheidippides to run to Sparta and ask for their help. He covered the distance from Marathon to Sparta and back in 2 days. As Spartans didn’t joined Miltiades ordered Athenians along with a small force from Plataea for a general attack that led to a triumph.

Pheidippides was send again running, from Marathon to Athens to announce the news of victory to fellow Athenians and that joyful message was his last word.

The Battle of Marathon is often seen as a pivotal moment in European history, since the following two hundred years saw the rise of the Classical Greek civilization.

Even now a trip to Marathon can lead you back in time and the remains of this legendary triumph. A visit to the Marathon Tomb, the Archaeological Museum and the coastline of Marathon town can make you breathe few drops of history.

Join the Marathon Race running or power walking can make you feel like a modern hero.

The Idea

The Marathon is more than a Race is an idea that unites the world. People come together for a lifetime experience of will-power, endurance and joy. All started at 1894.

14 centuries after Pheidippides run, a French professor became the man behind the idea and revival of this challenging act.

Michel Breal suggested to Baron Pierre de Coubertin who was vigorously trying to establish the birth of the Modern Olympic Games in 1896 in Athens to include the race of Pheidippides as the “Marathon Race”, this way, said Breal, Modern Olympic Games will have something of the ancient glory of Greece.

Breal also created a silver cup to be awarded to the winner of the first Marathon.

The enthusiasm of the revival of Olympic Games in Athens became even greater when Spyros Louis, a Greek water-carrier entered the Olympic Stadium as the winner of the Marathon Race.

The same stadium, Panathenaic Stadium is the finish line of the annual Athens Marathon, the Authentic.

The Silver Cup, was acquired in an auction held at Christie’s on 18 April 2012 by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (video) and will be display.

The Classic Route

The 42,195m from Marathon to Athens is considered to be one of the most demanding and tough Marathon routes in the world. Every year thousands of runners’ professional and amateur from around the world participate in the celebration.

The 42,195m route starts at the Marathon Start Venue in the town of Marathonas.

Runners follow the route that was mapped for the 1896 Olympic Games and it is supposed to be close to the route that Pheidippides followed bearing the news of victory.

The first 6 km lead you away of the start area and after a circular route around the Marathon Tomb you find your way out of the town of Marathonas.

You will pass 8 different small towns and districts as Nea Makri, Rafina, Pikermi, Pallini, Gerakas, Agia Paraskevi, Cholargos, Chalandri until you see the sign welcoming you to the city of Athens.

Now you are at the final stage of your endeavor. You have conquered much up to this point as you have already covered 30km with more than 10 of which uphill.

See more: www.athensauthenticmarathon.com

Runner’s Corner

Running the Athens Marathon? All you need to know about the routes, the services, the timetable and hotels that meet your needs.

Join the 5km, 10km race or the Authentic route & win a lifetime experience.

Routes

5Km

The 5km Road Race starts at 7:45am

Start Point: Amalias Avenue in front the Zappeion Megaro entrance

The 5km Road Race is held parallel to the Marathon Race in Athens city center. Set your own pace, run in front of Athenian landmarks as The Parliament, Numismatic Museum, The Neoclassic Trilogy, Byzantine Museum, War Museum, the Glass Runner sculpture of Varotsos and live the experience of the finish line at Panathenaic Stadium, the Stadium of the first Modern Olympic Games (1896)

10Km

The 10km Road Race starts at 8:35am

Start Point: Amalias Avenue in front the Zappeion Megaro entrance

The 10km Road Race is held parallel to the Marathon Race. Set your own pace in Athens city center & run in front of Athenian landmarks as The National Gardens, The Parliament, Numismatic Museum, The Neoclassic Trilogy, Byzantine Museum, War Museum, the Glass Runner sculpture of Varotsos, Athens Concert Hall, The headquarters of Presidential Guard, Prime Minister’s & President of Greek Republic Mansion and live the experience of the finish line at Panathenaic Stadium, the Stadium of the first Modern Olympic Games (1896)

42.195m

The Athens Authentic Marathon Race starts at 9:00am

Start Point: Marathon town – Marathon Start Venue

The first 6 km lead you away of the start area and after a circular route around the Marathon Tomb you find your way out of the town of Marathonas. You will pass 8 different small towns and districts as Nea Makri, Rafina, Pikermi, Pallini, Gerakas, Agia Paraskevi, Cholargos, Chalandri until you see the sign welcoming you to the city of Athens. Now you are at the final stage of your endeavor. You have conquered much up to this point as you have already covered 30km with more than 10 of which uphill.

TRANSPORTATION OF RUNNERS AND POWER WALKERS TO THE START

Buses will depart from four different stations in the centre of Athens between 5:30 to 6:45am (the departure station at Syngrou-Fix Metro station will remain open until 06.15am). No busses will be leaving after 6:45am.

All participants must be at the Marathon start venue at least one hour before (8:00am at the latest).