Athens Authentic Marathon 2016

120 YEARS FROM THE FIRST MARATHON RACE EVER
Sunday, November 13 at 9 AM
The 34th "Athens Marathon. The Authentic" marks 120 years from the first contemporary Marathon race, an athletic event inspired by the ancient course of the legendary Athenian hoplite hemerodromos after the Battle of Marathon. In the spring of 1896, during the first modern Olympics, athletes from five countries lined up at the starting line on the bridge of Marathon in order to cover the distance to the Panathenaic Stadium on a dirt path. The race was won by Greek athlete Spyros Louis, whose historic victory stands as a symbol of tireless effort, stamina as well as the breaking of physical and mental barriers. Key to the race was also the presence of Greek runner Charilaos Vasilakos, who won the second place. Louis and Vasilakos, the two Greek runners, became the first two Olympic victors in the history of the Marathon race. This race, which was launched during the inaugural Olympic Games of the modern era, became one of the most popular athletic events all over the world, with millions of participants and supporters.

This year also marks 70 years from 1946, when leading Greek runner Stelios Kyriakides won the Boston Marathon, achieving one of the major Greek athletic successes internationally, while also demonstrating humanity and great love for his country.

The Athens Marathon, the only race conducted along the original course from Marathon to Athens and the Panathenaic Stadium, remains an emblematic event for all long-distance aficionados. In its present form it is held continuously from 1983 on, dedicated to Grigoris Lambrakis, the great Greek doctor, champion in the Balkan Athletic Games and pacifist.

The Authentic Marathon is a unique race. #SEGAS, the Hellenic Athletic Federation, invites you to participate in it or attend it as spectators, in order to experience in full the thrill of the top running event.

The Marathon Race starts at 09.00 sharp from the Marathon Start Venue in the town of Marathon.

The first 200m of the course are slopping, leading the runners away from the Start area. The first 4 kilometers go downhill. The runners run along the Marathonos Avenue up to the 4thkm, where they turn left and enter the Marathonomachon Str., and area of the Marathon Tomb (War Memorial), which they follow for the next 2.2km. The course follows a rather circular route around the War Memorial.

The course becomes flat from the 6th to the 10th km (Nea Makri). From the 11th to the 17th km the course goes uphill at certain parts. Then, and up to Rafina Junction, the runners meet a steep descent. Starting from the Rafina Junction, the course goes uphill again, while the most difficult part is found up to the 20thkm. As the runners pass along the district of Pikermi, they run through some of the, more or less, uphill parts of the course up to the 25thkm. The passage through the city of Pallini (27km - 28km) is also uphill. The last and most difficult part of the course starts from Gerakas and goes up to Stavros Junction (30km – 31km). This steep ascent is followed by a steep descent leading to the Agia Paraskevi Square. Then, the runners follow the Mesogeion Avenue, going through the districts of Chalandri and Cholargos, meeting flat and downhill parts of the course up to the finish. The most characteristic downhill part is the one that starts form the Ministry of National Defense and finishes at the Katechaki Junction (37.5km), where the runners pass under the relevant bridge.

Right after the Erricos Dynnan Hospital, the runners continue left on Michalakopoulou Avenue until the traffic lights at Michalakopoulou and Pheidippidou crossroad. They continue running on Pheidippidou Str., until the crossroad at Kiffisias & Alexandras Avenue. The latter crossroad highlights the 39thkm, while the runners continue left on Vas. Sofias Avenue. On Vas. Sofias Avenue, the runners pass by the American Embassy, the Athens Music Hall and the Park of Liberty (40km), where the last feed zone is located. As they reach the Hilton Hotel, they slightly turn right heading towards the Syntagma Square, passing by the Evaggelismos Hospital and the War Museum.

At the last part of the Marathon Course and having turned on the Hrodou Attikou Street, the runners have eye contact with the Panathinaikon Stadium, passing by the Presidential Residency and the National Gardens. Only a few meters remain in order for the runners to enter the Stadium and run the last meters inside it, before reaching the finish line.

The runners enter the Panathinaikon Stadium from the left side, where the Finish Arch is found.

STARTING BLOCKS
All runners will be allocated in nine (9) different starting blocks in the start area based on their bib numbers and its color.The allocation in blocks is made according to the performances stated by the runners themselves on their registration form and they concern the last three years (2013-2016). In case no performance is stated on the registration form, the runner will be automatically place in one of the last two blocks.

RACE START
A “Wave start" system is implemented, while nine (9) different “wave starts” are given. Τhe latest 15 minutes before the start (at 08:45), the runners should be found in the appropriate starting blocks, as it will indicated on their bib number. Based on the above, the runners should not worry as their net running time will also be recorded.

It is important to say that in order for someone to participate in the Marathon Race, he/she should be at least 18 years old.

TIME LIMIT TO FINISH THE RACE
The Marathon Race and Power Walking are concluded at 17.30, by when all runners should have reached the finish line.

If not keen in the Marathon route, you can register for the 10km & 5km Morning Road Races, or the 5km evening race!

You can find more information found in http://www.athensauthenticmarathon.gr/

Have a successful race!

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