Athletes from 33 Countries ‘Run with the Gods’ at Olympus Marathon 2024

Photo source: Olympus Marathon

Athletes from 33 countries took part in the races of the Olympus Marathon 2024 event and “ran with the gods” during June 28-30 at the Regional Unit of Pieria in Northern Greece, home to mythical Mount Olympus and to the archaeological site of Dion.

Organized by the Olympus Marathon Association, the event is an internationally recognized mountain running race held annually on Mount Olympus, which aims to revive the sacred trail used by ancient Greeks to honor Zeus​.

Photo source: Olympus Marathon

This year marked the 20th anniversary of the marathon, the only one held in mountainous terrain worldwide. A demanding 44-kilometer race on the “Mountain of the Gods” with 3,350 meters of positive elevation gain, it started at 6 am at Dion Archaeological Park. Hundreds of athletes ascended for 21 kilometers before descending to finish in Litohoro.

The event drew 600 Greek and international athletes, with Vasilis Mpalamotis and Christina Giagitzidou setting new record times. Mpalamotis completed the course in 04:44:26, while Giagitzidou finished in 05:43:44.

A number of other competitions took place during the days of the Olympus Marathon including children’s races.

GNTO president: Promotion of Mount Olympus is of strategic importance

GNTO President Angela Gerekou during the award ceremony of the 20th Olympus Marathon. Photo source: GNTO

The 20th edition of the Olympus Marathon was held under the auspices of the Greek Tourism Ministry, the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) and the Greek Ministry of Education, Religion and Sports.

The events were attended by GNTO President Angela Gerekou who also had the opportunity to participate in a balloon ride (right photo) from ancient Dion to the area of Svoronos, promoting sustainable tourism activity niche markets in the area.

Gerekou was also invited to winetasting at the Kourtis biological production vineyards and participated in a unique monasterial gastronomy lunch at the Monastery of Saint Athanasios Kolindrou.

The promotion of Mount Olympus and its vicinity as tourism destinations is of strategic importance for GNTO, the Ministry of Tourism and Greece itself, said Gerekou, meeting with local officials.

The GNTO’s president was accompanied by numerous journalists, as her visit to the area was coordinated with a press trip for members of the Greek press.

Gerekou also attended the presentation of the program of the 53rd Olympus Festival that took place during the Olympus Marathon. Organized by OR.FE.O (Olympus Festival Organization), the program is spread over the summer months of July and August and includes theater, music, dance, education, discussions and exhibitions. The center of the events is the ancient Dion, but also other archaeological sites of Pieria, such as the Castle of Platamonas, the Byzantine church of Panagia Kontariotissa, the ancient Pydna and the ancient Leivithra.