Marathon d'Athènes

The Marathon d'Athènes in Athens, Greece, commemorates the run of the messenger Eukles, sent from the town of Marathon in 490 BC to announce the Greek victory over the Persians, the run that gave its name to the Olympic event introduced by Pierre de Coubertin in 1896. The 2026 edition takes place on 7 and 8 November, with temperatures of between 12 and 18°C.

Three distances are on offer: the 5 km (7 November), the 10 km (80 m of elevation gain) and the marathon (42.195 km, 335 m of elevation gain) on 8 November, all finishing at the Panathenaic Stadium, venue of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 and restored several times since, notably for the 2004 Games. A university 5 km race is also held on 7 November. After the race, the Acropolis and its museum, the Parthenon and the old Plaka district, with its narrow streets, shops and restaurants, offer the chance to see more of the city.