Athens Marathon (The Authentic)
Athens, Greece · Second Sunday of November
The original: Marathon to Athens, finishing in the marble Panathenaic Stadium. A relentless 20 km climb from km 10 to km 31 makes it one of the slowest famous marathons in the world — and one every runner should do once. Add 10–20 minutes to your normal time and run it for the goosebumps.
Course
Elevation gain
350 m
Net elevation
+50 m
Finishers
~20,000
Month
November
Second Sunday of November
Race-day weather
Median start temp
14°C
Historical range
9–21°C
Hot-year risk
Moderate
November in Attica is usually mild, but sun on the long exposed climb makes even 18°C feel expensive.
Getting in
First-come, first-served. Registration is easy; the course is not. Book for the history, not the time. Official site ↗
Pacing plans for Athens Marathon (The Authentic)
Course-adjusted splits for every common goal — not flat even splits, but pacing that matches where this course is fast and where it bites.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Athens Marathon (The Authentic) a fast course?
It is not considered a PR course. The course has 350 m of total elevation gain. We rate it 3/10 for PR potential.
What is the weather usually like at the Athens Marathon (The Authentic)?
The median start-line temperature is around 14°C, with a historical range of roughly 9–21°C. November in Attica is usually mild, but sun on the long exposed climb makes even 18°C feel expensive.
How do you get into the Athens Marathon (The Authentic)?
First-come, first-served. Registration is easy; the course is not. Book for the history, not the time.
Is the Athens Marathon (The Authentic) a Boston qualifier?
Yes — the Athens Marathon (The Authentic) is a certified course accepted by the B.A.A. for Boston qualifying times. Note that it is not eligible for records due to its point-to-point or net-downhill layout, but that does not affect Boston qualifying.