In Greece 🇬🇷, within one of the oldest cities in the world, Athens📍, we gather for a race of mythological proportions. As the largest city and capital of the country, it spreads across the Attica Plain, overlooked by the Parnitha, Lycabettus, and Hymettus mountains 🏔️. Taking place in November 🗓️, the Athens Marathon welcomes you with temperatures ranging from 12° to 18°C 🌡️. An ideal weather 🌤️ for covering the 5 km, 10 km, or the marathon distance 👸.
Fans of myths, stories, and legends, let us tell you about this marathon's tale. The star isn't Zeus ⚡️, Poseidon 🔱, or Odysseus 🏹, but a certain Pheidippides. A legendary runner sent to Athens, following the battle of Marathon 📍, to announce the victory over the Persian invaders, on September 13, 490 BC. And, the term “marathon” comes from this story, thanks to Pierre de Coubertin 🇫🇷. This French historian, by reviving the Olympic Games in 1894, introduced, from the first edition ☝️, a long-distance running event of about forty kilometers, the distance between the city of Marathon and Athens. Now that you're nearly an expert 🤓, let's focus on our event ⬇️.
The event features a 5 km, a 10 km, and a marathon (42.195 km). The finish line for all these races is the historic Panathenaic Stadium of Athens, where the first modern Olympic Games took place in 1896. It has been renovated several times, notably for the 2004 Olympics (the year the national football team won its only European Championship ⚽️), and has hosted over 30,000 people for the archery events and the marathon finishes 🏁. In a nutshell, runners from all over the world 🌎 are expected each year to participate in the most legendary 42.195 km. Beyond the sporting experience, you'll get to enjoy the magnificent landscapes of Greece and the warm hospitality of its people 😁.
To extend your weekend, we suggest visiting the iconic rocky plateau of the Acropolis, rising in the center of Athens and its museum 🖼️. And while you're there, don’t miss the unmissable “Virgin's House”, the Parthenon 🏛️, which is a true Greek treasure. Wander through the narrow streets of the old district of Pláka, where you can find souvenir shops 🏺 and restaurants 🍴. It’s a perfect segue into discussing the country's culinary specialties, like the choriatiki, for example, tzatziki 🥒, or the taramasalata (the real recipe).
Buckle up! 🛫 The Athens Marathon is a challenging course 🥵. The first 4 kilometers slightly descend. You'll be running on Marathon Avenue, after which you'll make a left into Marathonomachon Street and the Tomb area for the next 2.2 km 🗿. The route takes a nearly circular path around the Marathon Battle memorial 📜.
From the 6th to the 10th km, the course is flat. From the 11th to the 17th km, it partly climbs 📈. As you go, you'll pass through Pikermi, with uphill sections alternating until km 25, the most notable being the extended climb at km 25. The Pallini Pass at the 27th and 28th km, is also a climb! 👣 From the Gerakas region starts the toughest part of the course, the uneven junction of Stavros, km 30-31 will really challenge your legs!🦵 This intense stretch is followed by a steep descent reaching Agia Paraskevi square. You'll run down Mesogion Avenue, passing through Chalandri and Cholargo, where flat and descending sections alternate until the finish. A descent follows, starting from the National Defence Ministry and ending at Katehaki junction, at 37.5 km, where runners pass under the bridge 🌉.
After the Errikos Dunan Hospital, you'll continue left onto Michalakopoulou Avenue 🏨, to the traffic light at the intersection of Michalakopoulou and Phidippidou 🚦. Then, follow Phidippidou Street on the right until Kifisias & Alexandras Junction. You'll pass in front of the U.S. embassy, the Concert Hall 🎸, and the Freedom Park, at 40 km, where the last refreshment station 🥤 is located.
At the Hilton Hotel, you'll make a right turn toward Syntagma Square, continuing down Vas Sofias Avenue and passing by the Evangelismos Hospital and the War Museum ⚔️.
In the final stretch of the marathon, turn left onto Herodou Attikou Street, at 41.2 km, passing by the Maximos Mansion, the Presidential Palace 🏰, and the National Garden 🌸. Near the statue of the discus thrower ⚖️, you'll face the Panathenaic Stadium. Only a few meters on the stadium’s forecourt remain until you enter and run the final 170 meters inside 🔥 to the finish line! 🏁
Have you traveled all the way to Athens to run a 10 km race? Then it's time to get started! 🚀
From the start at Ave Amalias (near Bodossaki Hall), you'll cover your first kilometer alongside the National Garden 💐, heading towards the Academy of Athens 🏫. You'll follow Ave Akadimias to make your way back to the National Garden before turning left onto Ave Vasilissis Sofias. Along this route, you can enjoy the view of the Museum of Greek Culture 🏛️.
Continue along Ave Vasilissis Sofias, passing by the magnificent Music Hall in Athens 🎵. Next, you'll swing onto Ave Mosogeion, after a short stretch on Ave Alexandras. You'll proceed to the Park by the Police Academy 🐦, at km 6. Here, you'll turn around to take on the second half of your 10 km journey 💪.
As you near the Museum of Greek Culture, take a left to run alongside the National Garden, before sprinting towards the legendary finish line in the heart of Panathenaic Stadium! 🎉
Are you more of a quick tour kind of runner when it comes to exploring the heart of Athens? 🏛️ Then let's set off for a 5 km run! 😁
The route is almost identical to the 10 km one. Make sure to check the tab next door for more details 👈. The only slight change is where you'll make your turnaround ↔️. Since it's a shorter distance, no need to go as far! 🤓 You'll pivot just before the Athens Concert Hall 🎶, leaving you with just 2 small kilometers to go 💪.
Don't worry, even though it's the shortest distance of the event, the finish line is just as spectacular as the others: right in the heart of the Panathenaic Stadium! 🤩
A 1.2 km children's race is also planned for the future sports stars ⭐.
Your inclusion on the organizer's website is scheduled for mid-October. From that point onwards, your name will appear both on the official site and the app.
Your bib number and your starting corral will be communicated to you by the organizer via email, 10 days before the event.
You can pick up your bib at the event's Runners' Service Center & Marathon EXPO, located at the Faliro Indoor Gymnasium (formerly the taekwondo stadium ), in the Faliro Olympic Complex during the following dates and times:
Wednesday, November 5, 2025: 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Thursday, November 6, 2025: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday, November 7, 2025: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday, November 8, 2025: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
You will need to present an ID along with the email containing your bib number. If you haven't received this email, you can visit the Registration Confirmation Desk to request a copy.
If you can't pick up your bib personally, a third party can do it for you by presenting the above-mentioned documents.
Two ticket categories are offered for each distance of the Athens Marathon: 'Advanced registration' and 'Full registration'.
'Advanced registration': This option only includes the bib
'Full registration': This option includes the bib, a backpack, an OASA public transport card, a small towel, and a free entry to visit the Acropolis.
The Athens Marathon organizer (Hellenic Athletics Association) requires non-European Union residents* (*residence address, not nationality) to register in the 'Full Registration' category.
No worries. You can switch to the 'Full registration' category from your runner's account. You will need to pay the difference. If you wish to cancel your participation, you can contact us at contact@finishers.com before June 10, 2024, at 11:59 PM. We will then proceed with a full refund of your bib. After this deadline, we will no longer be able to cancel your registration.
Marathon: €67 + €4 booking fee (+€80 for full registration)
10km: €47 + €4 booking fee (+€40 for full registration)
The Athens Marathon will begin at 9:00 AM on Sunday, November 9, 2025. Runners should arrive at the historic site of the city Marathon at least 1 hour before the designated start time.
The 10 km race will begin at 8:15 AM on Sunday, November 9, 2025. Runners will start from Amalias Avenue, near the Bodossaki Hall, and should arrive 30 minutes to 1 hour before the announced start time.
The 5 km race will start at 5:00 PM on Saturday, November 8, 2025. The starting point will be on Amalias Avenue, close to Bodossaki Hall, and you should be there 30 minutes to 1 hour before the announced start time.
No, all runners participate at their own risk. The organizers disclaim any responsibility for health issues related to participants and the absence of a preventive medical check-up. However, participants are advised to undergo a medical examination prior to the race.
Participants must be at least 18 years old, meaning they should be born in 2006 or earlier to participate in the Athens Marathon.
Age is calculated based on the birth year, not the calendar year.
Yes, here they are:
The Athens Marathon: 7 hours 30 minutes limit
The 10 km: 1 hour 30 minutes limit
The 5 km: 1 hour limit
To reach the marathon starting area, the organization has set up buses departing from various points in central Athens. These points are often close to metro lines, particularly lines 2 and 3.
On metro line 2, those wishing to take the bus can do so at three stops.
The stop at 'Syngrou Fix'. Pay attention to bus schedules, as the last bus is scheduled for 6:15 AM.
The 'University' stop
The 'Constitution' stop (close to lines 2 and 3)
There will also be stops along metro line 3:
The 'Constitution' stop (close to lines 2 and 3)
The 'Evangelismos' stop along the large Vasilissis Sofias Avenue.
The 'Katehaki' stop crossing Mesogeion Avenue.
For other stops, there will be three additional points where runners can catch the bus:
A first point near the electric station at Omania, which is located at Omania Square.
A second point near the Megali Bretania Hotel from Vass Georgiou Street.
A third and final point on Vassilis Amalia Avenue towards the Hellenic Parliament, close to the monument of the 'Unknown Soldier'.
You can leave your belongings in the transport vehicles according to each runner's participation number. Each vehicle will have a sign describing the number range. The vehicles will be located 150 meters in front of the Starting Arch (after the starting line) to transport clothing to the finish area.
After finishing, bags are retrieved by displaying the participation number in a predetermined area that will be communicated to you. To leave your bag, the sticker with your participation number must be visibly attached to the bag to facilitate collection by volunteers after the finish.
You can check the race rules here
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