The Athens Marathon is a legendary 42.195-kilometer race held every year in November. It is one of the most important sports competitions in the world. Indeed, while almost 1,500 cities around the world now organize a marathon, the Athens marathon takes on a unique symbolic dimension. What runner hasn’t dreamed of taking part in this event (and finishing it)?
Athens Marathon 2023: practical information
The marathon will take place on Saturday November 11 and Sunday November 12, 2023.
To register, click here: Registrations on the official Athens Marathon website. Registration closes on October 1, 2023.
As every year, all the races will have the same finishing point: the magnificent marble stadium. An emotional arrival!
The Marathon race
- start on Sunday November 12, 2023 in the city of Marathon. To get there, there are buses from the metro stations, or you can book a cab. You’ll find all the information you need on the official website. Start at 9 a.m.
- finish: in Athens’ mythical marble stadium. Free admission, Evangelismos station. The first runners arrive at 11am (a spectacle not to be missed).
Other races
- The 5kms race will be held on Sunday November 12, 2023, starting at 8:15 am .
- Kids race, the 1.2 km children’s race will take place on Sunday, November 12, 2023, starting at 10:30 a.m.
- The 10kms race will take place the day before, on Saturday November 11, 2023, starting at 5pm.
- And new for this year 2023, it also has a Universities Night Runon Saturday November 11, 2023, starting at 6:30pm.
Accommodation in Athens during the marathon
Visit a selection of hotels in Marathon for accommodation the day before the race. And for Athens, ideally try to stay in the center near Syntagma Square. Find out more about our favorite hotels in Athens in this article.
Book your cab here
A little history
In 490 BC, the 10,000-strong Greek army won a decisive victory at Marathon over the Persian army, which numbered almost three times as many men. The victory was achieved not by force but by strategy. The Persians lost 6,000 men in the battle, while the Greeks suffered “only” 192 fatalities.
To announce this victory, a messenger named Philippides was sent to Athens. And so he covered the 42.195 kilometers between Marathon and Athens in one go. Legend has it that when he reached his destination, he exclaimed ” We’ve won! ” before dying of exhaustion.
The marathon as we know it today was created in 1896. It takes up the exact distance run by the valiant Philippides.
Athens Marathon today
bk, The race starts from the historic site of Marathon and finishes in Athens, in the marble stadium, birthplace of the modern Olympic Games. Crossing the finish line is an unforgettable experience for runners: the pride of having accomplished such a physical feat, of course, but also the breathtaking view of this spectacular stadium, the atmosphere and the emotion.
The Athens Marathon is run on asphalt. The course is renowned for being rather difficult compared to other marathons, with many kilometers being uphill.
Alongside the classic event, 5 and 10 kilometer races are organized, as well as a children’s race. This makes this sporting event more accessible.
Laure M.
