Athens in World Limelight for Marathon Weekend

Event for the official launch of the festivities for 40th anniversary of the Athens Marathon The Authentic. Photo source: SEGAS / Antonis Nikolopoulos Eurokinissi

Athens Marathon 40th anniversary festivities begin

Celebrations and events have begun in the Greek capital marking the 40th anniversary of the Athens Marathon The Authentic. Runners, athletes, and visitors from across the globe are in Attica for the Athens Marathon which takes place on November 12.

The Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS) announced on Wednesday, during a special event, the official launch of the festivities in the runup to the race which include the opening of the OPAP Marathon EXPO at the Tae Kwon Do Stadium in Palaio Faliro.

Attending the event were SEGAS President Sofia Sakorafa, Deputy Sports Minister Giannis Vroutsis, Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni, and Attica Governor Giorgos Patoulis.

Speaking during the event, Kefalogianni said the Athens Marathon was Greece’s leading sporting and cultural event with global appeal, and stressed that the participation of tens of thousands of athletes makes it one of the top celebrations of the running movement.

Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni – Photo source: SEGAS / Antonis Nikolopoulos Eurokinissi

“This event is one more opportunity for us Greeks to welcome athletes and visitors from all over the world for a few days. To chat and share with them moments and exciting experiences,” she said.

This year, more than 70,000 runners, 6,500 volunteers, 800 companies, 150 universities and 60 associations from across the globe will be in Athens to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the historic 42km running race. According to SEGAS data, occupancy levels at Athens hotels for the four-day event are close to 100 percent.

Photo source: SEGAS / Markos Houzouris, Eurokinissi

Drivers should be aware that access to central Athens by car will not be possible over the weekend as many roads from the town of Marathon to Athens’ Panathenaic Stadium will be closed off on Sunday, November 12.

Additionally, on Friday, November 11, between 5pm and 8pm, central roads in Athens leading to the Panathenaic Stadium will be closed off for the Universities 10km run and 10km OPAP night run.

Press here for information on all the races (42km Marathon Race, 10km Road Race, 5km Road Race, Kids Race 1.2km). Information includes course info, maps and useful instructions.

The Greek Travel Pages (GTP) is a communication sponsor of the 40th Athens Marathon, the Authentic.