The Athens Marathon is unlike most others, because it was founded in the spirit of history.
After the 490 BC battle in Marathon that brought democracy to Greece, it is believed that a dedicated messenger raced across twenty-four miles of terrain to deliver the news of victory to Athens.
When the founders put this marathon together, they intended to represent that trek. This gives the race a historical culture that is not lost on many runners who attend from all over the world.
What could be better than running the path of a historical figure? How about running the very same course that was used for the 2004 Olympics? That is exactly what you get when you race the Athens Marathon. This adds to the excitement and historical relevance for many runners.
How to Register
The race is held in the beginning of November, so it is perfectly times to wrap up your racing year. When registering, consider working with the tour group designated to help runners plan their trips.
Entries to the race can be made online, or you can book a tour with an agency offering accommodation packages that include entry into the race. This is ideal for racers who want to make their trip as easy as possible or who want to make a longer trip out of the marathon.
If you are traveling from other areas of the world, it is best to take full advantage of your travel time and enjoy other attractions beyond this Marathon.
Everything can be arranged through a travel agency, right down to the shuttle buses that will deliver you to the start of your marathon.
You will also be shuttled to and from the Athens Marathon on race day, so you do not have to worry about getting around in a foreign location or being late. You can sit back and enjoy the vacation, storing up your energy for the race.
They even have a charity fundraising opportunity which will land some dedicated runners a completely free trip to Athens for the marathon. That won’t happen for everyone, but it is worth considering if you have strong fundraising capabilities.
Athens Marathon Course
For those training for their very first marathon, there could not be a more exciting race option. Besides the amazing historical roots of the race and the charity causes to race for, the trip can be turned into an entire vacation for the family, a group of friends, or a dedicated individual.
The course is entirely on pavement, so there are no rough trails to contend with. The course starts out flat, goes through some very gentle hills, and ends all downhill. That is a great set-up for beginners without a lot of experience running up challenging hills.
Yet, there is some challenge from the rolling hills and of course, a marathon is always challenging just because of the miles to be covered.
Athens Marathon Training Plan
When training for the Athens Marathon, keep in mind that you will have eight open course hours to finish. Marathon runners have to be eighteen years old to enter, but younger participants are admitted to the 10K and 5K with parental approval.
The months leading up to the marathon are crucial for your success. Are you still searching for a marathon training plan that fits your needs? My 100 Day Marathon Plan review tells you all about Marius Bakken’s revolutionary method to train for a marathon.
Things to Consider
Since the Athens Marathon requires a substantial International trip for many runners, there are some considerations to keep in mind before placing your money down for entry:
- You will have to pay considerably more for this trip than you would for a trip within your own country. You have to consider all expenses right down to food and transportation while in Athens. Not everyone can afford the luxury of this trip.
- All passports and other documents must be in order in advance of the trip. There is no getting your money back if something falls through after you pay for entry into the race.
- There are many historical and cultural sites to explore in Athens. Make sure you do some advance planning so you can see at least some of the sites while you are away.
The Athens Marathon is one of the most rewarding experiences, if you are a lucky runner who can swing the trip and time away from home.
This is a marathon that takes a lot of advance planning, in addition to advance training. Make sure to book your place in the race as early as possible and start training to complete the race in at least eight hours.
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