The Athens Marathon is where it all began. Running the original course from Marathon to Athens, finishing in the Panathenaic Stadium where the first modern Olympic marathon concluded in 1896, is a pilgrimage every marathoner should make.
The Course
This is not a PR course - it's a historic journey. The point-to-point route follows the legendary path of Pheidippides, climbing steadily for the first half before descending into Athens for a spectacular stadium finish.
The Original Route
The course traces ancient history:
- Marathon (Start) - Where the Persian army was defeated in 490 BC
- Marathon Tomb (mile 2) - Burial mound of Athenian warriors
- Nea Makri (miles 5-10) - Coastal section
- Pikermi (miles 15-18) - The climbing continues
- Stavros (mile 19) - Summit, highest point
- Agia Paraskevi (miles 20-23) - Downhill begins
- Athens center (miles 24-26) - Into the city
- Panathenaic Stadium (Finish) - 1896 Olympic venue
The Challenge
Athens is demanding:
- Net uphill of 145 meters (start to summit)
- Significant climbing in miles 10-19
- The downhill finish can be hard on tired quads
- Heat is possible even in November
Why Athens?
Athens isn't about your finishing time - it's about completing the original marathon. The emotional weight of running where the sport began, finishing where the modern Olympics started, is unlike any other race.
The olive wreath at the finish, the Greek crowds cheering "Bravo!", the marble stadium - these memories last forever.
Getting In
Athens uses open registration:
- Registration opens approximately 10 months before race day
- No lottery or qualification required
- Growing in popularity - register early
- Part of a running festival with multiple distances
Race Day Tips
- Forget about your PR - This is about the experience
- Train on hills - The course demands it
- Start conservatively - The climbing is relentless
- Save your legs for the descent - Downhill on tired quads hurts
- Savor the stadium finish - You earned it