Event Details
Welcome to the Athens Marathon 2026
On Sunday, 8 November 2026, the 43rd edition of the Athens Marathon: The Authentic takes place, one of the most historically significant races in the world. According to legend, the course follows the path of the messenger Pheidippides, who in 490 BC ran from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens to announce victory over the Persians. The race starts in the town of Marathon and finishes inside the historic Panathenaic Stadium (Kallimarmaro), the venue of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.
Highlights
- The original marathon route (42.195 km) from Marathon to Athens
- World Athletics Gold Label Road Race
- Greek national marathon championship
- Finish inside the historic Panathenaic Stadium
- Over 40,000 participants across all distances combined
- Supporting races: 10km, 5km, Universities Night Run and kids' races
- Challenging course with a long uphill stretch between kilometers 10 and 31
Program
The Runners' Center and the allwyn Marathon Expo open from Wednesday, 4 November 2026, at the Faliro Indoor Hall on the Olympic Faliro Coastal Zone, where bib numbers and race kits are handed out. The main race starts around 09:00 AM on Sunday, 8 November, in the town of Marathon. The first twelve kilometers are flat, followed by around nineteen kilometers of gentle but steady climbing; the final eleven kilometers run downhill into central Athens. Alongside the marathon, a 10km road race, a 5km race, a Universities Night Run and children's races take place. The marathon course has a time limit of 6.5 hours.
Tickets
Registration takes place through the official Athens Marathon website; the entry fee depends on the chosen registration level and typically ranges between around 70 and 165 euros. Registration usually opens in spring and closes at the end of September, or earlier if the participant limit is reached. Due to high demand, early registration is strongly recommended, as many entries sell out months before race day.
Visitor Tips
- Register early, since the marathon regularly sells out well ahead of race day.
- Collect your bib number and race kit at the Runners' Center in advance, as pickup is not possible on race day itself.
- Transport to the start in Marathon is organized through official shuttle buses; getting there independently is difficult due to road closures.
- November in Athens is mild (around 18 to 19 degrees during the day, cooler at night); plan for layered clothing at the start and finish.
- Book accommodation near Syntagma, Kolonaki or Plaka, as these neighborhoods are well suited to the finish area.
