WELCOME TO ATHENS
The Athens Marathon, The Authentic, celebrates the legendary run of Pheidippides from Marathon to Athens – the historic journey that inspired the race and distance we now know as the Marathon.
With thousands of years of history and mythology, Athens is also the birthplace of both the ancient and modern Olympic Games, making this one of the most iconic running events in the world.
We’re proud to say that Travelling Fit has been taking runners to this extraordinary event for more than 20 years — and many of us have run the race ourselves.
This year we are offering two different travel packages:
Travelling Fit Exclusive Package
This package is fully organised and hosted by Travelling Fit, giving us greater control over the experience while in Athens. It also allows you to travel alongside a group of like-minded Australians, sharing the journey with fellow runners and supporters. Our Exclusive Package inclusions are designed to give you a more personal, memorable experience — far beyond a standard race trip.
Budget Package
For those who prefer a more flexible and independent option, our Budget Package offers a simpler travel arrangement while still allowing you to be part of this historic event.
Whether you’re chasing a personal goal or simply want to experience the birthplace of the marathon, Athens is truly a race every runner should experience at least once.
If you are thinking of extending your time in Athens, you can also take advantage of booking an exciting Optional Tour to complete your travels, they include:
- Half day Cape Sounion Tour
- Full day Cruise to 3 Islands of Hydra, Poros and Aegina
- Full day Argolis Tour visiting Corinth, Mycenae, Nafplion and Epidaurus
- Full day Delphi Tour
- Package Inclusions
TRAVELLING FIT EXCLUSIVE PACKAGES
- Guaranteed Race Entry (Runners Only)
- Return airport transfers
- 4 Nights’ Accommodation staying at the 4* Athens Gate Hotel
- Buffet breakfast daily
- Group warm up run (Friday)
exclusive to Travelling Fit Clients - Athen’s city tour including lunch and a stop at the Marathon Expo for race bib pick up (Friday)
exclusive to Travelling Fit Clients - Pre-Marathon dinner (Saturday)
exclusive to Travelling Fit Clients - Escorted coach transfer to race start (Sunday – runners only)
- Supporters can join the Travelling Fit team to cheer on the runners (Sunday)
exclusive to Travelling Fit Supporters - Post race celebration including drinks and canapes (Sunday)
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients - Personalised Travelling Fit Running Top
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients - Invite to Travelling Fit’s Athens Marathon Closed Facebook Group
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients - Travelling Fit Representatives on site and available for questions
exclusive to Travelling Fit Clients - VAT Tax
BUDGET PACKAGE
- Guaranteed Race Entry (Runners Only)
- Return airport transfers
- 4 Nights’ Accommodation staying at 3* Hotel Plaka
- Buffet breakfast daily
- Delivery of Marathon Race Pack to your hotel including goodie bag and official race T-shirt
- Half Day Athens City coach sightseeing tour (Friday)
- Escorted coach transfer to race start (Sunday – runners only)
- Assistance by local English-Speaking ground staff
- Access to help desk during your stay in Athens
- VAT Tax
PACKAGE FLYERS
PACKAGE PRICES
Run in the footsteps of Pheidipides, the legendary Athenian soldier that ran from the battlefield of Marathon to the city of Athens in full battle gear in 490BC to announce the victory of the Athenians. This event went down in history and gave its name to the race and distance we now know as the Marathon.
The first 4 kilometers are downhill, leading runners away from Marathon itself. The runners run along the Marathonos Avenue up to the 4km marker where they turn left and enter the Marathonomachon Str and area of the Marathon Tomb (War Memorial). The course follows a rather circular route around the War Memorial for the next 2.2km.
The course becomes flat between the 6km and 10km points (Nea Makri), but from the 11km to 17km the course undulates uphill, followed by a steep descent to Rafina Junction. Starting from the Rafina Junction, the course goes uphill again, with the most difficult part is found up to the 20km mark.
Runners pass along the district of Pikermi and through the city of Pallini (27km – 28km) continuing the ascent to Gerakas and Stavros Junction (30km – 31km). This steep ascent is followed by a steep descent leading to the Agia Paraskevi Square. Then, the runners follow the Mesogeion Avenue, going through the districts of Chalandri and Cholargos, meeting flat and downhill parts of the course all the way to the finish. The most characteristic downhill part is the one that starts form the Ministry of National Defense and finishes at the Katechaki Junction (37.5km).
Right after the Erricos Dynnan Hospital, the runners continue left on Michalakopoulou Avenue until the traffic lights at Michalakopoulou and Pheidippidou crossroads. They continue running on Pheidippidou Street until the crossroads at Kiffisias & Alexandras Avenue. After turning left on Vas. Sofias Avenue the runners pass by the American Embassy, the Athens Music Hall and the Park of Liberty (40km), where the last feed zone is located. As they reach the Hilton Hotel, they slightly turn right heading towards the Syntagma Square, passing by the Evaggelismos Hospital and the War Museum.
It is here that, all of a sudden, runners make eye contact with the Panathenaic Stadium, passing by the Presidential Residency and the National Gardens. Only a few meters remain in order for the runners to enter the Stadium and run the last meters inside it, before reaching the finish line.
At Travelling Fit we have personally run the Athens Marathon, the Authentic, and we would be more than happy to share our experiences of this wonderful event with you.
Check out the Athens Marathon Route and Course Map and Athens Marathon elevation profile to learn more about what to expect!
Testimonials
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- europe, greece, athens, marathonios, 2015
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- Athens Golden Marathon 2010
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- europe, greece, athens, marathonios, 2015
Race Information
Entry Fees
The entry fee to the Athens Marathon, the Authentic, is incorporated into the price of your package.
Qualifying Times
There are no qualifying times to the Athens Marathon, the Authentic.
Note that all athletes must be at least 18 years of age on race day
Start Time
A total of sixteen (16) consecutive starts are given (fifteen blocks plus a separate one for disabled participants), with the first wave for the elite runners leaving at 9:00am. Subsequent waves will leave every 2-6 minutes.
Runners will be allocated in the starting blocks according to their previous best finishing time over the last 3 years, as stated on their entry form and checked by the SEGAS Marathon Office. Runners who have not stated their best finish time on their entry form will be placed in one of the last three blocks.
Cut-Off Times
The time limit to finish the Marathon Race is set to 8 hours (including power walking). The event will close at 17.42 to allow for time delay of all consecutive starts.
Runners who continue running beyond the time frames provided may go on AT THEIR OWN RISK.
No participant in the Power Walking is allowed to finish his/her race before 5 hours.
Race Timing
All runners are obligated to bear the bib number with the timing chip on the front of their chest and not to cover it with any clothing or object.
Split timing zones are installed at every 5 kilometres and at 21.1km. Any runner for whom no time is shown at the Start, the split timing zones and the Finish, will be disqualified.
Only athletes who:
- participate in accordance to the rules,
- are placed in the right starting block,
- have timing indications at the Start, all split timing zones and the Finish, and
- complete the race within the time limit (8 hours)
will have their final and split times appearing in the Official Results and get a participation certificate.
Race Packets
When purchasing the Travelling Fit exclusive package, a city tour with a stop at the expo will be included for race bib collection. If purchasing a budget package, runners will have their race packs, including timing chip and bib numbers, delivered to their hotel.
Pace Setters
There are no official pace setters in the Athens Marathon, the Authentic.
Aid Stations
Fifteen (15) support stations will operate along the Marathon Course from the 5th to the 40th km.
- Bottled water will be offered at the start and the finish as well as at every 2.5km after the 5km.
- Isotonic drinks will be offered at the 10km aid station and at every second aid station through to the 40km aid station and the finish area.
- Energy Gels will be available at the 10km and 20km aid stations.
- Bananas will be available at the 20km, 25km and 30km, and 35km aid stations, as well as the finish area.
- Savoury snacks will be available at the 30km and 35km aid stations.
- Coca Cola will be available at the 30km, 35km, and 40km aid stations.
Personal Refreshments and Clothing
Attention: The bag must be delivered to the specially designated area within the ALLWYN Marathon EXPO at the Faliro Indoor Hall & Exhibition Centre (former TaeKwonDo Venue), only as follows (subject to change):
- Wednesday, 4th November : 12.00pm to 10.00pm
- Thursday, 5th November: 10.00am to 10.00pm
- Friday, 6th November: 10.00am to 10.00pm
- Saturday, 7th November: 10.00am to 9.00pm
There will be no clothing bag collection service at the starting point on the day of the race.
The clothing bag is collected together with the bib number and the corresponding sticker number from the Runners’ Center & Marathon EXPO. The sticker with the runner’s bib number must be placed on the bag in a way that it is clearly visible, making it easier for volunteers to return it after the finish. Runners must place their required personal belongings and clothing inside. Ideally it should contain only clothing. It must not contain travel documents, money, valuables or medicines. SEGAS and the Organizing Committee of the event do not bear any responsibility in case of loss of objects of value. The Organizing Committee does not accept any other backpacks, bags etc., except for the special bags that it provides to the runners.
After the finish line, the bags can be collected by showing your bib number to the specially designated area within the Alea of Zappeion.
Note: No personal drinks are able to be left at the drink stations
TRANSPORT
Transport to the race start is included in the overall price of your package. Buses will depart from, or near your hotel.
Expo
NOTE: The below information is to be confirmed.
The ERGO Marathon EXPO will take place at the Faliro Indoor Hall & Exhibition Centre (TaeKwonDo Venue at P. Faliro)
The opening dates and times are to be confirmed:
- Wednesday 04 November: 1.00pm to 8.00pm
- Thursday 05 November: 10.00am to 8.00pm
- Friday 06 November: 10.00am to 8.00pm
- Saturday 07 November: 10.00am to 6.00pm
When purchasing the Travelling Fit exclusive package, a city tour with a stop at the expo will be included for race bib collection. If purchasing a budget package, runners will have their race packs, including timing chip and bib numbers, delivered to their hotel.
Finishers T-Shirts, Medals and Certificates
All entrants will receive a race t-shirt and every finisher who makes the cut off time will receive a commemorative medal and a finishers certificate.
Weather Conditions
The average Athens temperature for the month of November is 16 degrees Celsius (61 degrees Fahrenheit).
Others Events
- Marathon Race Power Walking (Sunday)
- 10km Road Race (Sunday)
- 5km Road Race (Saturday)
