Athens Marathon

Location:  Athens
Country:  Greece
Website:  https://www.athensauthenticmarathon.gr/en/
2025 Marathon Date: 09/11/2025
2026 Marathon Date:  08/11/2026
Winning Time 2025:  2:20:10
% Sub-3s:  1-2%
# Sub-3s:  100-499
Total Runners: 10-20k

The Athens Authentic Marathon is one of the most storied and symbolic races in the world, tracing the legendary route of the ancient messenger Pheidippides from the battlefield at Marathon to the Panathenaic Stadium in the heart of Athens. Few marathons carry the same historical weight: every step follows landscapes tied directly to the origins of both the event and the city-state whose victory in 490 BCE shaped Western history. First run in its modern form at the 1896 Olympic Games, the course remains a defining test of endurance, tradition, and terrain.

Starting near the ancient battle site and the Tomb of the Athenian soldiers, the race opens with a gentle downhill stretch through Marathon and along the coast, passing through Nea Makri before turning inland. The early kilometres offer a deceptively calm introduction, allowing runners to settle into rhythm before confronting one of the most demanding mid-race climbs in global marathon running.

From roughly the 10 km mark to the 31 km point, the course rises steadily, gaining around 383 metres in elevation. This long, continuous uphill section defines the character of the Athens Marathon. Passing through towns such as Pikermi and Pallini, the ascent demands patience, disciplined pacing, and careful energy management. Even experienced runners often treat this portion as a strategic battle, knowing the real race begins only once the climb has been crested.

From 31 km onwards, the profile shifts dramatically. The descent into Athens offers relief and renewed momentum, alternating between downhill and flatter sections as the route progresses along Messogeion Avenue toward the city centre. The final approach carries a deep sense of occasion: the course enters the Panathenaic Stadium, an all-marble arena that hosted both the first modern Olympics and the 2004 Olympic marathon finish. Completing the final stretch on its historic track creates an atmosphere unlike any other finish in distance running.

Fully paved and typically held in early November, the Athens Marathon blends myth, history, and physical challenge into a race that is both demanding and profoundly meaningful. For runners seeking a course with heritage, atmosphere, and a true test of strength, it remains one of the most iconic journeys in the sport.