Athens Classic Marathon

Yes, the Athens Classic Marathon is unique because it retraces the legendary route taken by the ancient Greek soldier Pheidippides from the town of Marathon to the city of Athens. It is the only modern marathon in the world that follows the exact original ancient course.

The 26.2-mile race finishes inside the historic Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, the same all-marble stadium used for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. Running across the track surrounded by the stadium's steep, ancient seating is considered one of the most emotional finishes in distance running.

The route is notoriously challenging because it features a continuous uphill incline from the 10km mark all the way to roughly the 30km mark. This uphill battle usually results in slower finishing times compared to flatter, faster marathons held in major modern cities.

The modern version of the race has roots dating back to the 1896 Olympic Games, but it was officially established as an annual event in 1972. It has since grown into a major international race, attracting elite athletes and history enthusiasts alike.