Athens Marathon 2023

Included:

• 4 night hotel accommodations

• Buffet breakfast daily

• Welcome Cocktail Reception on Friday, November 10

• Athens Half-Day City Tour 

• Pre-race Pasta Dinner on Saturday, November 11

• All hotel taxes and gratuities

• All guide tips

• Hosted by Marathon Tours & Travel staff

Also Available:

• Full marathon entry £95

• 10km entry - £85

• 5km entry - £75

• Additional pre and post tour hotel nights 

• Post tour 3-night extension

Race entry includes:

• Bib Number with incorporated timing chip

• Technical Race T-shirt by Adidas

• Bag for clothing management

• Transportation of the runner to the Marathon Start Area (Marathonas) from the city centre of Athens (refers only to the Marathon Race)

• Services during the race (feed zones and medical assistance) and after the race (water, isotonic drinks, juice and medical services)

• Clothing management during the race (Bag Check) 

• Accident Insurance during the race by ERGO

• Finisher's Medal (received exclusively by finishers)

• Participation Certificate with finish time through the website of marathonphotos.live (available after the announcement of the Official Race Results and only if the runner is included in them)

• Live tracking via our Official App Athens Marathon & App

• Backpack

• Public Transportation Card

• Free entrance at the Acropolis Museum

• Face towel

• 15% discount at the marathonshop.gr

Not included

• Airfare to and from Athens

• Travel Insurance

• Meals unless noted on itinerary

• Tips and gratuities

Your Itinerary

Thursday, November 9 – Today is an arrival day. Please make your own way to the start hotel located in the city centre. This afternoon, for anyone interested in joining, there will be a relaxed group run to the Panathenaic Stadium to shake out your legs for the big day.

Friday, November 10 – After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart for a guided half-day city tour including visits to the Acropolis and the iconic Parthenon. Our English-speaking guide will provide a historic and cultural overview of ancient and modern Greece. The tour will end at the race expo so you can collect your race kits. From here, the afternoon is yours to enjoy Athens in your own way before regrouping this evening for an evening reception and race briefing.

Breakfast and reception included.

Saturday, November 11 – Today is a free day for you to enjoy ancient Plaka however you choose. If you have opted to join the optional excursion to Cape Sounion on a half-day tour, you will depart this morning on the windy roads headed for the Temple of Poseidon followed by a three-course lunch at a local restaurant. The tour will take approximately 6 hours and must be booked in advance. 

If you are running the 10km, your race will take place today in the early afternoon/evening. We will walk you down to the start line from the hotel which just a short walk away. 

An included dinner will be served at the hotel tonight for everyone.

Breakfast and dinner included.

Sunday, November 12 - RACE DAY! After an early breakfast make use of the bus transporation provided by the race organizers to transfer to the race start. After a momentous day on the marathon course, this evening is free to celebrate your achievement however you choose. We will be hosting an optional dinner, should you wish to join a group dining experience.

Breakfast included.

Monday, November 13 – You are free to depart at leisure today, after the hotel check-out. If you would like to stay longer please enquire with our team about extra nights or an upgrade to our 8-night package. 

Breakfast included.

Visa

Please note that it is each traveler’s responsibility to check visa and passport requirements and ensure that they comply. Obtaining a passport and, if required, a visa, is solely the responsibility of each traveler. Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after returning from your destination. 

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is an essential part of any holiday you take, and we highly recommend that you purchase suitable insurance for your trip.

Security Policy

Marathon Tours & Travel's security policy requires that anyone staying in our room block must be registered as part of our package.  If a registered client attempts to house a non-registered guest and /or invite them to attend any of our scheduled activities, the registered guest’s tour package will be forfeited and parties may be denied access to future tours. Please note that no exceptions will be made as this policy will be strictly enforced.

Race Time

9:00 AM

Course

The marathon course starts in the small village of Marathon and traces the route used for the first modern Olympics and the 2004 Olympics. It passes the Tomb of Marathon where the Athenians soldiers who lost their lives in this historic battle are buried. The course is very hilly from nine (9) miles until 20 miles. The last 10K is mostly a gradual downhill. It finishes inside the Panathenaic Stadium  built for the first modern Olympics in 1896. The 5K and 10K both start on Amalias Avenue in front of the Zappeion Megaro entrance (walking distance from the hotels) and finish inside the Stadium. You can find the course map here.

Temperature

Average temperatures range between 60F to 75F.  

Number Pickup

Each runner must pick up their own race packet at the Expo.  Time has been allotted for this during the half-day city tour.  

Eligibility 

All runners must be at least 18 years of age on race day.

Awards

Every finisher will receive a medal, finisher certificate, sport-bag and commemorative t-shirt.

Difficulty 

Difficult due to the hills.  The last 10K is downhill, which is a relief to your legs!