The modern Olympics began in Athens in 1896. The first marathon of the modern era originated at that same Olympics. The original Marathon began with the legend of Phidippides in 490 BC.
I can't think of anything that can compare with the attraction of being able to run the very same course as the original Marathon!
I read a lot about the past few years of this marathon and most was not complimentary. However, I was still drawn to this Marathon because of the history and the fact that the 2004 Olympic Marathon will be on the very same course. The course is difficult because of the hills from 10K to 32K but the scenery is magnificent. The size of the field was about 2500 runners which is larger than recent years. The people in this small country are great and very friendly. I enjoyed interacting with them (although sparse) and the international field of runners throughout the course. The police did an excellent job of managing traffic and that is quite an accomplishment in such an overcrowded city. The water was bottled and there was plenty of stations including sponges and sport drink....even for the back of the pack. Also, chips were used this year for the first time. The thrill of coming into Athens and running in to the Olympic stadium is a mental high that you simply must experience first hand.
I must also give credit to APOSTOLOS GREEK TOURS and Paul Samaras who made everything so memorable. Also, having Jeff Galloway along as part of the tour who added course insight that truely made this a Marathon experience like no other.
If you are a marathoner....You simply must do this one!

The weather was beautiful!! Transportation to the start was furnished by the organizers and well planned. The course was very tough with the middle third uphill, but the downhill finish was a definite time booster. The thrill of finishing and running into Olympic Stadium can not be matched at another course finish. The field was rather small, but many people in the 4 hour and above category. The water stations were plentiful - there was not food at the stations - but plenty of water and energy drink. I was a little diappointed with the small turn out of spectators, but those that were lining the road cheered you on and pushed you to run hard! Great experience!!

It was my 21st marathon and it was THE marathon! My expectations were huge and some of them didn´t come true. Especially the organganization was a kind of bad. To pick up the bib, we were sent to a 'dead' office, from there a bus took us about an hour through Athens, the pasta was cold, the start was chaotic, the back back was kept in the rain in the old Olympic stadium, the diploma was a print out with no name on it! There were also some nice little things: the traditional course, the excellent finisher medal, a one way course! But anyway: You got to go there!

This was my first marathon in November 2001! The weather couldn't be worse...Wind and rain accompanied us all the way until the 42km mark, where the emotions took over!!! The course was challenging and the few spectators brave-due to rainstorm- But after all, this IS the authentic marathon course...I consider myself lucky for participating and I'm already training for next year's one! Hope to see you there.

I ran this race in Nov of 2000 and give it a thumbs up. The course was difficult in that after a relatively flat first 10 kilometers, the next 13 miles were uphill. Mercifully the final 10k was gradually downhill as the temp had reached 82. Strangely, it felt as if we runners were not much more than a curiosity to the locals. This seemed odd in that the race was 'invented' here and on this course. Overall, I would rate this as a fantastic experience and give a huge endorsement to Apostolos Group Tours. They offered many terrific 'takeaways' and just knowing you have completed the original course is a great feeling.

The second part of the course was more downhill making for a very good race. Water, Sponges, Gu, Gatorade all in abundance. So was the traffic. Overall it was one of the best marathons

I have just run once, in the 2000 race in Athens Marathon. I can say I have not experience about other marathon races worldwide, but I can assure you that it is the history behind this event that forces you to the finish line in the olympic stadium. Have in mind that the name 'Marathon' comes from the village in Greece where the race begins! Don't miss this race in your future plants. I'll be there again in 2002.

Definitely a unique experience. Just the history itself gets your blood pumping. The course is challenging, beginning on the flat plains of Marathon. After 10k you begin to climb, and climb, and climb. You're running on wide open asphalt highway with temperatures in the upper 70s. By the time you hit the 20 mile mark you are saying to yourself 'Why couldn't Phiadippides have died here?'. The last 10k is finally downhill in the city of Athens, and finishing in the 1896 Olympic Stadium makes it all worth while. The organization is only fair; apparently they ran out of H2O for the slower runners. Crowds are sparse at times, but appreciative and enthusiastic.

The history behind the Athens Greece Marathon is unbeatable! The course is a bit challenging and the weather is sort of unpredictable as it was in the low 80's when I ran it. But the feeling you have as you enter the Olympic Stadium at the finish is one that will remain with you forever!! It leaves you speechless!