What races will take place at the Marathon?
The 28th Athens Classic Marathon in 2010 will hold five separate simultaneous races: (1) the Marathon for runners and power walkers, (2) a 10 km race along the last 5km of the Marathon course, (3) a 5 km race around historic city center of Athens, (4) a 1000 meter Special Olympics Hellas run in front of the Acropolis, and (5) a 700 meter Kids Run (9-12 years old). There is no half-marathon race.
Who organizes the Marathon?
The Athens Classic Marathon is organized and operated by Hellenic Amateur Athletics Association (S.E.G.A.S) in collaboration with Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) and International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). The day before the Race AIMS will be holding their 18th AIMS World Congress in Marathon.
What is the start time of the Race?
The Marathon starts October 31 at 9:00 am. Power walkers start at 7:00 am. Both start at Marathon, the town. The 5 km and 10 km runs start at 9:30 am in Athens. Our private bus will transfer riders to Marathon.
Can my I register as a group or with my family?
There are three categories of registration. (1) Individuals. (2) Families, minimum three members. (3) Groups, minimum of ten members. You can choose which of the five races to run in.
What is the Marathon course?
The course starts in the town of Marathon and finishes in the 1896 Olympic Stadium in Athens, also known as Panathinaikon Stadium. The route is the same one run in the first Olympics in 1896, as well as the 2004 Athens Olympics. The 5 km and 10 km races start and end at the 1896 Olympic Stadium. The 10 km race heads in the opposite direction towards the Acropolis into the old areas of Athens where runners pass beautiful and noteworthy buildings and monuments.
What is Marathon route like?
Click to see Marathon Route Profile and larger Map. The first 5km of the race starts downhill. The course rounds the Marathon Tomb in memory of the soldiers who fought in 490 BC on that very spot.
From 5-10 km also flat with a little uphill approaching the 10km point.
Another 2 km uphill and at 15 km a sharp downhill.
20-25 km is a continuous uphill, perhaps the hardest part of the Race.
25-30 km climbs are interrupted by short flat stretches.
30-32 km the final climb
32-35 km all downhill.
Final 7 km, the easiest part, all downhill or flat.
What is included in the Marathon's official registration fee?
What is the medical support at the Race?
At Marathon, a medical station will have a doctor, physiotherapist and nurse. Runners can get a cardiogram there. On the Race route, four ambulances are available, one in the middle of the course, one at the sweep and two roaming on stand-by. Two motorcycles will move throughout the course as well. At the finish line at the 1896 Olympic Stadium, a fully equipped medical unit is on hand with a team of several doctors (traumatologists, cardiologists, anaesthesiologists), physiotherapists and nurses and, capable of providing cardiovascular recovery, trauma recovery. We urge all our clients to obtain medical insurance and/or travel insurance with medical coverage.
Are there other official events during the Marathon?
The day before the Race, October 30, a symposium is held by AIMS -- Association of International Marathons and Distance Races. There will also be the Marathon Expo at the Zappeion Exhibition Center, the same building where runners registration takes place. The Expo is open for two days prior to the race, entrance free for all, from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. There will also be a booth at the airport assisting Marathon travelers.
Is the Marathon earth-friendly?
Organizers are making their best efforts to maintain earth-friendly policies for the Athens Classic Marathon. All plastic bottles throughout the route are recycled. All plastic bags used are biodegradable. A specific program supporting climate change has been established with the help of runners' donations.
