The Athens Marathon takes places every year in November attracting runners from all over the world. It celebrates the birthplace of the marathon running and traces the journey of the ancient Greek soldier Pheidippides, who according to the legend, ran from Marathon to Athens to announce the Greek victory in the battle of Marathon between the Greeks and the Persians. It is more than just a race; it's a tribute to history, a challenging test of human endurance, and a pilgrimage for runners worldwide.
The History of the Athens Marathon
The Athens Marathon commemorates a tale from 490 BCE, when the Persian army invaded Greece and confronted the Athenian forces at the Battle of Marathon. After the Athenians claimed victory, Pheidippides, a Greek messenger, ran from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens—a distance of just over 42 kilometres to deliver the message of victory, where once he reached Athens, announced, "We have won!", and collapsed from exhaustion.
This story inspired the creation of the marathon race when the modern Olympic Games were revived in Athens in 1896. Organizers wanted an event that would echo the ancient roots of Greece, and thus introduced the marathon distance, sparking what would become an iconic athletic challenge.
Since then, the Athens Marathon has been known as "The Authentic Marathon" because it retraces the legendary route from the plains of Marathon to Athens.
The Athens Marathon today
Today, the Athens Marathon takes place annually, usually on the second Sunday of November, drawing runners to Greece from around the world. The race starts in the town of Marathon, northeast of Athens, and follows the historic path allowing runners to follow in the footsteps of Pheidippides, experiencing a sense of connection to ancient Greece. Along the way, runners pass through many locations which offer glimpses into the local Greek culture, with residents, locals and visitors cheering the participants along and offering encouragement.
The finish line is at the breathtaking and iconic Panathenaic Stadium (also known as Kallimarmaro), an ancient stadium, crafted from marble, also the finishing point of the first modern Olympic marathon.
When George ran the Athens Marathon in 2022, he said he took out his phone to capture the moment he entered the finish line but wishes instead he had lived it without his phone, so he will run the Athens Marathon again, just to experience it without his phone! If he does, I plan to be there to congratulate him and hope some of you will join me.
In addition to being prestigious, the Athens Marathon is also one of the most physically demanding marathons in the world. This is due in large part to the course’s topography, which includes long, steady inclines that make it much tougher than most standard marathon courses. For over 20 kilometers, runners face an almost continuous uphill climb, reaching elevations of around 240 meters above sea level. These hills, combined with the often warm November weather in Greece, make it a true test of endurance even for seasoned runners.
The Athens Marathon offers a rare combination of historical reverence and physical challenge, embodying the ancient story that started it all. For runners around the world, the Athens Marathon remains a top destination, where they can run along the path of a hero, face a formidable challenge, and connect with the origins of the marathon.
In addition to this blog post, we have a dedicated podcast episode available on all Podcast platforms, where I interview our very own George who in 2022 an his first Marathon in Athens. To find out more, click the link to listen on Spotify and hear all about George's experience.
Do you plan to be in Athens for the Authentic Marathon? Check out our guide for 48 hours in Athens. The document includes all places mentioned on the Podcast episode 48 Hours in Athens (Episode 64) including the top neighbourhoods to stay, prepared in the form of an e-map. The e-map overlays onto your own google map and includes top recommendations, with additional tips for these recommendations.
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