The original historical course during your visit to Greece, you will be tracing the footsteps of Pheidippides, ancient heroes, philosophers, and legends!

The Athens Marathon is like no other on Earth. According to legend, it covers the same ground that the Athenian messenger Phiedippides ran when he brought news of victory of the Greeks against the Persians from the battlefield of Marathon 2,500 years ago, in 490 BC. When you run the Athens Marathon, you run in the very footsteps of the ancient Gods and Heros that gave birth to western civilization. The finish line is in Athens’ magnificent Olympic Stadium, the birthplace of the modern Olympic Games. Those who run the Athens Marathon say it is an experience they’ll never forget!

The 42,195m Marathon race became one of the most competitive events during the revival of the Olympic Games in 1896. A Greek athlete named Spyros Louis, running what has ever since been referred to as the Original Marathon Course from the ancient city of Marathon to the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, won the gold medal of the first modern Olympic Games and became a legend of Greek and International Athletics. The Marathon Race has always had a prominent place in the hearts and minds of sports enthusiasts, as it represents the highest effort where the human body, soul and mind are tested to their limits as the runner presses himself/herself to reach the finish line.

Since 1982, the Athens Classic Marathon has been dedicated to Gregoris Lambrakis, the athlete, scientist and Member of Parliament, who was murdered in the 60s and, after his death, became a symbol of Human Rights.

The Athens Marathon is recognized as the original marathon course and it was the same course used in the 2004 Olympics held in Athens.