Athens Marathon

The Athens Marathon was founded in 1983, during the golden age of mass-participation running. Now 43 years old, it has established itself as a beloved fixture in Athens, growing from its early editions into a race with genuine character and loyal following.

The fastest time ever recorded at the Athens Marathon is 02:10:21, set by Ilias Ivaniou in 2015. Every year, new contenders line up hoping to challenge that mark on the streets of Athens.

The Athens Marathon route is one of those courses where runners forget their pace and reach for their phones. The scenery through Athens and its surroundings has earned this race a reputation as one of the most photogenic in Europe.

For thousands of runners each year, the Athens Marathon is their first marathon. The combination of a forgiving course, generous time limits, and supportive crowds has earned this race a reputation as the place where marathon journeys begin. The first-timer energy on race morning is palpable.

The Athens Marathon follows the legendary route of Pheidippides, who in 490 BC supposedly ran from the Battle of Marathon to Athens to announce victory over the Persians. The 1896 Olympic marathon — the first in modern history — used this same route. Running this course is running in the footsteps of the sport's founding myth.