Athens Marathon

On 8 November 2026 the 42nd Athens Marathon will be run over the 42 Km, 10 Km and 5 Km distances. The Athens Marathon is considered "the Authentic", as well as the first and true marathon. It is not just a sporting event but a bridge linking the legend and the history of the Marathon.

THE HISTORY

The origin of the Marathon is tied to the story of the Battle of Marathon: according to tradition, in 490 B.C. the Persian army, having landed on the Greek coast for an expedition against Athens, encamped at Marathon. The Athenians sent a messenger, Pheidippides, to ask Sparta for help. Pheidippides covered the distance from Athens to Sparta in a day and a half. The Spartans were willing to help the Athenians, but not before 10 days had passed. Pheidippides then turned back to warn the Athenian Generals. When, with a skilful manoeuvre, they managed to defeat the Persians, Pheidippides rushed to Athens to announce the victory and prevent the city from being burned for fear of defeat. He arrived in Athens exhausted and, before dying, managed to say "we are victorious".

THE OLYMPIC MARATHON

In 1896, at the first modern Olympic Games in Athens, a race was established to commemorate Pheidippides' feat. The course, restored for the occasion, measured 40 Km, from the town of Marathon to the ancient stadium of Athens. In 1908, on the occasion of the London Olympics, the course was lengthened so that the start line was located at Windsor Castle and the finish beneath the royal box of the London stadium. Since then the distance has remained unchanged, set at 42.195 Km.

The entrance of the historic Panathinaiko Stadium

9 NOVEMBER 2025 the historic Athens Marathon will take place.

Confirmed are the Race Bib Fees, subject to early sell-out:

- Marathon is 350 Euro;

- 10 Km is 85 Euro (race start Sat. 12 Nov.);

- 5 Km is 80 Euro.

THE MARATHON COURSE

The Marathon start is scheduled for 09:00 from the town of Marathon.

The course is initially flat up to the 10 Km mark, then features ups and downs, at times demanding yet always evocative, as they run along the war memorial in memory of the men who fell during the historic battle.

The final kilometres are instead slightly downhill, all the way to the entrance of the historic Panathinaiko Stadium, built entirely of marble.

The Athens Marathon course

THE 10 K AND 5 K COURSES

The 10 K start is scheduled for 09:05 while the 5 K will start at 17:00. The start line for both races is at Amalias Avenue.

The course is mainly urban, with some uphill bursts and the final km downhill.

The finish will again be at the historic Panathinaiko Stadium.

For info call our Tour Operator on 055/453646 (Call Center - with 3 lines)

from 08:00 to 20:00, Monday to Saturday or send an email to info@travelmarathon.it

Philosophy, art and history. Visiting Athens on the occasion of the Marathon is almost a must. A city, in short, waiting to be discovered and a Marathon waiting to be run.

A Unesco World Heritage Site since 1987, the Acropolis is the first thing everyone visits after arriving in the city. Tourists are led before the Parthenon and the other monuments (Propylaea, Erechtheion and the temple of Athena Nike) standing on this rock 156 metres above sea level. . We are indeed before the largest architectural complex of ancient Greece which, despite the vicissitudes of the millennia, has survived to the present day to offer visitors from all over the world an absolutely unforgettable experience. Especially towards evening, when the Acropolis and the city all around blaze with the colours of the sunset. Finally, a tip: after visiting the Acropolis Museum, just 5 minutes from the archaeological site itself, it is worth stopping at the adjoining restaurant. The cuisine is of a good standard, but what counts most is the wonderful view from the dining room. Spectacular!

At the foot of the Acropolis lies the Agora, an area of about 12 hectares which was the political, administrative and social heart of Athens throughout antiquity. For millennia this place, famous, among other things, for the death sentence of Socrates, experienced an endless decline that began with the political and military downfall of the city and ended only in the 19th century, when the area began to be repopulated. For its true rebirth, however, another century had to pass: the recovery and restoration works on the surviving monuments (including the Temple of Hephaestus, see photo) began in the early 1930s, thanks also to the financial and organisational contribution of the American School of Classical Studies, the recipient of substantial funding, above all from the Rockefeller family.

Art, history, culture, museums, monuments, but also the sea. Plenty of sea. In summer, between the heat and the car traffic, getting around can become complicated and even visiting the Acropolis takes twice the effort. Luckily there are the beaches, over 20 kilometres of coastline easily reached by car or public transport. Nea Falirou, practically attached to the old part of the port, is the most popular of Athens' beaches. The tower blocks behind it give a good idea of the summer overcrowding of this beach, which is in fact frequented mostly by Athenians who have no way, or no wish, to travel further. Much the same goes for the beaches of Ellinikò and Glyfada which, however, unlike Nea Falirou, have seen greater tourist development, though not always of the finest quality. Upkeep and services improve decidedly at Alimos, just 8 kilometres from the city centre, and keep improving in the district of Vouliagmeni. Here the distance from Athens is 17 kilometres, but the atmosphere is completely different. Greener, less property speculation and, what matters most, crystal-clear sea and high-end services. Inevitably the area is frequented by the city's, the nation's and the international upper classes. The beaches of Varkiza and Sounio are also decidedly worth a visit. Here the scenery is the kind normally associated with a holiday in Greece: relaxation, white beaches and emerald sea.

For info call our Tour Operator on 055/453646 (Call Center - with 3 lines)

from 08:00 to 20:00, Monday to Saturday or send an email to info@travelmarathon.it

Polis Gran Hotel****
Located 1400 m from the finish line.

The prestigious Polis Grand Hotel**** is one of the best 4* Hotels in the city, located a 5-minute walk from Omonia Metro station, , perfect for runners as it is just a few hundred metres from the finish line.

The rooms are bright and spacious (22 m²!), air-conditioned and equipped with every comfort (mini bar, safe, ...), with parquet or carpeted floors and elegant, refined furnishings. Exclusively for Travelmarathon guests, free Wi-Fi and satellite TV are included.

The Polis restaurant serves a generous Greek buffet breakfast, while the Polis Life bistro offers excellent coffee and delicious cakes, with a panoramic view over the city.

For info call our Tour Operator on 055/453646 (Call Center - with 3 lines)

from 08:00 to 20:00, Monday to Saturday or send an email to info@travelmarathon.it

The airports listed refer to direct flights to Athens on the occasion of the Athens Marathon.

Alternatively, we will try to find other solutions from the airport nearest to you.

Bergamo (4 days/3 nights)

Departure

Thu. 11:45

Fri. 07:25 or 19:00

Return

Mon. 09:45

Tue. 09:15 or 17:30

Bologna (4 days/3 nights)

Departure Fri. 08:30

Return Mon. 11:00

Catania (4 days/3 nights)

Departure Fri. 08:00

Return Mon. 11:00

Milan Malpensa (4 days/3 nights)

Departure

Thu. 11:00 or 17:40

Fri. 11:00 or 17:40

Return

Mon. 08:30 or 17:15

Tue. 08:30 or 17:15

Palermo (5 days/4 nights)

Departure Thu. 15:15
Return Mon. 06:30

Rome Ciampino (4 days/3 nights)

Departure

Thu. 06:30 or 21:30

Fri. 06:30 or 21:30

Return

Mon. 09:55 or 16:25

Tue. 09:50 or 20:05

Rome Fiumicino (4 days/3 nights)

Departure

Thu. 10:20 or 17:30

Fri. 10:20 or 17:30

Return

Mon. 08:25 or 17:30

Tue. 08:25 or 17:30

Please note that Travelmarathon can collect your race bibs at the Expo for you, regardless of your flight time.

PLEASE NOTE:

Travelmarathon is not responsible for any changes to flight times. The airline may modify the information above even after the flight ticket has been confirmed.

For info call our Tour Operator on 055/453646 (Call Center - with 3 lines)

from 08:00 to 20:00, Monday to Saturday or send an email to info@travelmarathon.it

Guaranteed Marathon race bibs at 350 Euro

Fees are per person, based on double room accommodation.

PLEASE NOTE: due to growing demand, the Deposit Fee (Flight Ticket) may be subject to modest increases as the departure date approaches.

Each participant pays a Participation Fee

from Fri. 6 to Mon. 9 November;
from Sat. 7 to Tue. 10 November.

depending on your departure airport (see the dedicated "FLIGHTS" link)
on request it is also possible to depart on Thursday 10 Nov.

The Participation Fee is made up of:

1- Deposit Fee;

2- Race Bib Fee, for those who request it;

3- Balance Fee.

1- The Deposit Fee varies according to air fares. We recommend requesting a quote for your flight. Alternatively, you can purchase the flight on your own.

2- The Race Bib Fee:

- Marathon is 350 Euro (subject to early sell-out);

- 10 Km is 85 Euro;

- 5 Km is 80 Euro. (race start Sat. 7 Nov.);

3- The Balance Fee is:

- 229 Euro (4 days/3 nights) at the Hotel**** POLIS ** RECOMMENDED **;

- 219 Euro (4 days/3 nights) at the Hotel*** ILISIA.

The Balance Fee is paid 120 to 70 days before departure. It is refundable in the event of cancellation (see General Conditions). Any extra night costs 39 Euro.

Families/Children:

Solo Travellers: ** OPTION CONFIRMED FOR 2022 TOO(!) AFTER LAST YEAR'S SUCCESS ** ROOM-SHARING GUARANTEED
Travelmarathon thinks of you too ... and if you wish to share the room with another runner, we will do our best to make it happen; and if we cannot find you a roommate, we will assign you a Double room for Single use at the price of a Double (we pay the difference!!!).
For those who choose from the outset a Double room for Single use, the supplement is 39 Euro per night.

The package price includes:

• Accommodation at Hotel ****... (3 nights);
• Travelmarathon assistance at the Hotel (a tour escort is available 24h);
• Travelmarathon Staff present from Pisa Airport (for Thu. and Fri. departures). In any case, all our Hotels are easily reachable by public transport or by inexpensive taxis;
• Accompaniment to the race and to the expo;

The package price does not include:

• Mondial Assistance insurance (12 Euro - RECOMMENDED);
• Extra 20 kg luggage (about 20 Euro each way - OPTIONAL);
• Booking Fee (10 Euro – over 12 years of age);
• Optional souvenir Gadget (Polo shirt/Sweatshirt, indicative price 17/19 Euro – OPTIONAL);
• Meals and drinks;
• Tickets for all transfers (bus/taxi), visits and excursions;
• Tips, extras in general and everything not expressly indicated as included.

The single room supplement is 39 Euro per night. For solo athletes who prefer double-room accommodation, the Agency will do its best to assign a roommate.

Bookings

Registration: send the Registration Form + Race Bib Form (runners only).

Deposit Fee payment: (per person) + Race Bib Fee if applicable.

Balance Fee: 120 to 70 days before departure.

Registration closes: when the maximum number is reached.

On request for individuals/families

- Discounted parking at your departure airport (Italy) ;

On request for groups/individuals

- Exclusive airport-Hotel transfers for running groups by Gran Turismo coach;

- City tour with an expert (local) Guide.

Remember that other trips to Marathons/Half Marathons in Europe are available on our website www.travelmarathon.it; do not hesitate to call us or contact us by email.
Thank you for choosing Travelmarathon.it

direct contact Alberto 345/3415074 (Event Manager)