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Athens Authentic Marathon 2024: Everything You Need to Know

Athens Authentic Marathon 2024: Everything You Need To Know

Taking part in the Athens Authentic Marathon is included in most avid runners’ bucket lists! One of the most legendary sports events worldwide, the Athens Marathon attracts numerous runners, who want to challenge themselves to run 42 km from Marathonas to Athens.

If you are one of them and looking for more information about the Athens Authentic Marathon 2024, you’re in the right place!

In this article, we share everything you need to know, from the Athens Marathon date to the route, the records, and more.

The History of the Authentic Athens Marathon

What’s the date of the Athens Authentic Marathon in 2024?

What’s the starting point of the Athens Classic Marathon?

What’s the endpoint of the Athens Classic Marathon?

What’s the route of the Authentic Athens Marathon?

What’s the record of the Authentic Athens Marathon?

Where’s the best place to stay for the Authentic Athens Marathon?

When is the Athens Half Marathon in 2024?

The History of the Authentic Athens Marathon

The Athens Authentic Marathon is arguably one of the most iconic sports events worldwide. However, its most remarkable aspect is its fascinating history, which dates back thousands of years, specifically to 490 B.C.

At that time, the postal system of Ancient Greece relied on state-appointed messengers responsible for delivering messages concerning war and peace.

One of these messengers was assigned to cover the distance between Marathon and Athens to bring the Athenians the news of their victory against the Persians at the legendary Battle of Marathon in 490 B.C. After completing the journey, still carrying his armor, the messenger managed only to shout “We have won” before collapsing and dying from exhaustion!

Centuries later in 1896, this impressive feat inspired the French professor Michel Bréal, who proposed the establishment of the marathon as an Olympic event to his friend Pierre de Coubertin.

Thus, in March 1896, the first Athens Authentic Marathon became part of the First Panhellenic Track and Field Games, serving as a qualifying race for the Athens Olympic Games!

What’s the date of the Athens Authentic Marathon in 2024?

The Classic or Authentic Athens Marathon has been held every second Sunday of November since 1972, following the 42.195 km course.

In 2024, the Authentic Marathon will take place on Sunday, November 10, along with the 10-kilometer road race, while on the afternoon of Saturday, November 9, the 5-kilometer race and the University 5-kilometer race will be held.

What’s the starting point of the Athens Classic Marathon?

The Authentic Athens Marathon starts from Marathonas. Participants can be transported to the starting point by buses provided by the Organizing Committee from six locations in Athens, between 5:30 and 6:45 AM.

The pickup points for the buses to Marathonas are:

  • Syntagma Metro Station
  • Syngrou-Fix Metro Station
  • Panepistimio Metro Station
  • Evangelismos Metro Station
  • Katechaki Metro Station
  • Omonia Metro Station

What’s the endpoint of the Athens Classic Marathon?

The Authentic Athens Marathon finishes on the left side of the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens. The runners cover the last 170 meters of the marathon on the stadium’s track.

What’s the route of the Authentic Athens Marathon?

The key points of the route of the Authentic Athens Marathon are:

  • Marathonas (Authentic Marathon’s starting point)
  • Marathonas Avenue
  • Marathonas Fighters Street
  • Tumulus
  • A circular route around the memorial of the fallen at the Battle of Marathon
  • Nea Makri
  • Pikermi
  • Pallini
  • Gerakas
  • Stavros
  • Agia Paraskevi
  • Mesogeion Avenue
  • Katechaki
  • Michalakopoulou
  • Alexandras Avenue
  • Vasilissis Sofias Avenue
  • Irodou Attikou Street
  • National Garden
  • Panathenaic Stadium (Kallimarmaro)

What’s the record of the Authentic Athens Marathon?

The current Authentic Athens Marathon course records are 2:10:34 for men, set by Kenyan runner Edwin Kiptoo in 2023, and 2:31:06 for women, set by Lithuanian runner Rasa Drazdauskaitė in 2010.

Where’s the best place to stay for the Authentic Athens Marathon?

The buses that transport runners to the starting point in Marathonas depart from certain metro stations in central Athens. Therefore, this area is the best place to stay if you plan to participate in the Authentic Athens Marathon.

Choosing a hotel in Syntagma or a hotel in Kolonaki will make you very close to the Syntagma, Panepistimio, and Evangelismos metro stations. This way, you can easily board the special buses and return to your hotel from the Panathenaic Stadium after the race without any hassle.

Countless runners worldwide have the lifelong goal and dream of running the Athens Authentic Marathon. Its fascinating history and challenging course make the Athens Classic Marathon a once-in-a-lifetime experience while completing it will give you an incomparable sense of accomplishment. Are you ready to cross it off your bucket list?

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