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☰
Athens Marathon (Greece) Runner Comments
Back to Athens Marathon (Greece) Information & Reviews
Course 4.2 
Organization 4.3 
Spectators 3.7
Number of comments: 140 [displaying comments 11 to 21]
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j. b. from Geneva
(11/15/2017)
"Tough but rewarding" (about: 2017)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Athens Marathon (Greece)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 If you wish to run one marathon, this is not the best choice. If you want to beat your record, look elsewhere. But if you are a seasoned runner this race has plenty to offer. It is a tough, almost relentless course. The final downhill stretch does not offset the long slog but the finish in the stadium, the non-stop support and the best medal in the industy make this a worthy endeavour. Plus Athens is a cracking city. | |
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M. J. from Copenhagen, Denmark
(8/16/2017)
"Amazing must-do marathon!" (about: 2014)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Athens Marathon (Greece)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I ran the Athens Authentic marathon in 2014. It was my first ever marathon and the most amazing experience that has kept me doing more marathons. The good: This is the original marathon race, so if you are only going to do one (and don't care much about finish time!), this is the one to do! The course starts in the town of Marathon and finishes in the stadium in Athens city. The finish inside the stadium is the best I have ever had in a race! The support is really really good all the way, even out in the suburbs. The locals are super into the event! The finisher medal is stunning and chunky and really unique (it is shaped like the stadium). The course goes forward all the way, so no repetitions, and you have the feeling of moving forward. The expo is really good too. The bad: The first 30 km of the race is mainly uphill. Yes. So don't expect a pb (unless it's your first race). Also, when I did the race in 2014, there was no women's t-shirt, so I got a men's t-shirt, which is about the size of a small dress. A minor detail, but still a pity. I would absolutely recommens this race! | |
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Carlos Garcia from APO, Germany
(1/31/2017)
"A bucket list marathon for any runner" (about: 2016)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Athens Marathon (Greece)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I cannot begin to express the greatness that is the original Pheidippides route from Marathon to Athens. From the starting line with the Olympic torch to the end at the Panatheneic Stadium and all the jubilant towns in between, this is a marathon you'll definitely remember. I highly suggest taking a 6 or 12-day tour with the Apostolos Greek Tour group for the ultimate experience. Paul and his gang provide nothing less than VIP service from day 1 and take care of absolutely everything (even a mid-point aid station where they'll have any personal items you need waiting for you). You want to experience a recovery sprint in the original Olympic stadium of Zeus? They'll get you there. You want to be treated like a victorious Athenian warrior? Paul and the Greek people will make sure you are. Got a baby you can't leave behind? They got you covered like family. The experience was so great I might just have to check it off my bucket list twice in the future! | |
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I. P. from Baltimore, USA
(12/8/2016)
"A must-run marathon for sure!" (about: 2016)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Athens Marathon (Greece)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I knew that the Athens Authentic is a bucket list marathon. Now, after running it, I totally agree with that. It's all together - friendly people everywhere, the course and the stadium with a long and outstanding history, nice weather in November, and excellent organization. The 'dreaded' hills are there but nowhere as hard as some folks might say. You still must have a decent hill training! The downhill part of the last 10 km is really a blessing to your tired legs. Perhaps first time when I enjoyed running those last marathon miles. To fully appreciate running this marathon, I would strongly suggest to have a few other marathons under the belt. | |
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paraskevi agiasotis from London
(11/15/2016)
"debut marathon for me loved the experience" (about: 2016)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 As this was my first marathon having done three half marathons previously, this was the next step up for me. I was so worried about doing what people had claimed to be one of the tougher marathon courses. I can say although there are hills along the way they are no where near as difficult as people say and it is not an endless 20km incline!! There are flats and even down hills in between. These mindless comments almost had me not wanting to do the race. In fact i would say the hills didn't feel difficult till after the 20km mark and even then they were manageable. A 3%-4% incline at most. Over all worth doing it and I'm so glad I did! The greek locals were amazing and present throughout most of the course calling out BRAVO so full of admiration. Great experience!! Oh and the weather was perfect for the month of November. A comfortable 20 degrees and some cool breezes along the way! Oh and if you're feeling hungry straight after the race there are stands selling their famous souvlakia! | |
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K. K. from USA
(1/23/2016)
"Amazing marathon" (about: 2015)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Athens Marathon (Greece)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 We did this marathon as part of a tour group (Apostolos Greek Tours) and it was the most relaxed marathon I have run. Everything was taken care of from our registration to packet pick up to transportation. The only thing we needed to know was what time to load the bus in the morning. I have never gotten to the starting line so relaxed before. It was a hard course but completely worth it. | |
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Risto Spelman from Louisiana
(11/14/2015)
"Wonderful historic experience" (about: 2015)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Athens Marathon (Greece)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 - Finally had a chance to do the most important marathon in the world with 16,999 others on November 8, 2015, fantastic experience to run this historic route. I gave myself only a 70% chance of finishing because of a training injury 6 days earlier and twice the temptation of getting on the evacuation bus was pretty strong and if this had been anything other than Athens I would have done so, there is always another marathon, but I just could not give up on this one - Interesting glimpse of Greek countryside before the last 15k on city streets but by no means one of the most scenic marathons and I would have welcomed more of something other than asphalt - Pretty easy course with just a few short 3% grades- Greek spectators are the best ever, always cheering and applauding, God bless Greece - Good support with water every 2 1/2 k and occasional energy drinks and bananas - Great weather, a little cool before the race and the plastic bags provided much-needed protection from the wind but by the start of the race the temperature was perfect | |
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J. S. from Warsaw, Poland
(11/13/2015)
"Authentic one" (about: 2015)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Athens Marathon (Greece)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Excellent organization. Nice people around during number pick up, marathon and after finish line. Expo a bit overcrowded - more space would help to increase comfort of visitors. Water was provided already before start, during the run itself water was in the bottles - great help considering sunny weather. First 10 km flat followed by 20 km uphill and last 10 km downhill - you will most probably not improve your PB. Many spectators making fantastic noise, often calling your name to support you even stronger. Sunny weather around 20* C. And finally it comes to the finish in the ancient Greek stadium - authentic, unforgettable experience. Great run, wish to come back. | |
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M. T. from Manchester
(11/12/2015)
"My graceland marathon" (about: 2015)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Athens Marathon (Greece)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 So, its the original marathon and every marathon runner should complete it. The course is hard however the sense of achievement when you finish is second to none. The organisation is great from start to finish and there was a real buzz in Athens on marathon weekend. Just DO IT! | |
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M. I. from Hertfordshire GB
(11/10/2015)
"Historic and fantastic support" (about: 2015)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Athens Marathon (Greece)
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is the ultimate marathon....From Marathon itself to Athens and what more could you ask? Well a finish in the Panathenaic stadium built by the ancient Greeks and renovated for the first modern Olympic games makes for a spectacular finish spurring you on for those last few hundred metres. The crowds roar and cheer and shout and the atmosphere is magic. Organisation is excellent, registration easy and loads of buses to the start. Kit pick up and processing at the end is not up to London (nothing is) but is not far behind. Water in bottles planted in your hand as you stretch, plenty of isotonic in bottles or cups and all every 2.5 Km is testimony to some really excellent planning and devoted volunteers The only drawback is the course. Historic and no doubt scenic when Pheidippides ran it in 490 BCE but now it is a long dull dual carriageway with the scenic value of an industrial suburb, lined with car showrooms shops and business premises. However, for the last two or three kilometers you get some feel for the city itself. Add to the drab surrounds a long climb from 19Km to 31 Km and you are really grateful for the final few Km and the spectacular finish. Medal is tip top and t-shirt is good. So enjoy this marathon - it is not a PB course but a real must do. |
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