As an Anglo-Greek, this was special. It is extremely well organized, the expo now is now in the center of town, buses get you to the start without huge queues, the water and fulling stations were plentiful, and the baggage collection was easy. Unlike the course. The first 10-20K are flat through countryside, then as it starts to get urban at 25K, you find yourself on an incline that seems to last forever. The last 10K are downhill through the center of Athens - a blessed relief. Support is sparse but very vocal. The stadium finish with my Greek family bellowing themselves hoarse will stay with me a long time - it is truly special. As an inexperienced runner, I convinced myself that I'd come last. I didn't - not by a long way - but even if I had, I don't think I would have minded. It is a special, special race.

This was my second Athens Marathon. As a walker, I remain deeply grateful to the organizers for letting us start 2 hours early so that we could finish when there are still lots of people about. Superb organization, including a 5-day travel pass and lots of goodies. Warm welcome at the airport info desk. Expo was centrally located this year and so much better, so thanks for listening to last year's comments. Transport to the start worked perfectly too. The course is not easy, with some long inclines, but the last few KMs are downhill, which is great. And the finish in the stadium with cheering crowds is just awesome. Refreshments were regular and plentiful. Not many crowds on most of the course, but more than made up for on the triumphal arrival in Athens, when I also witnessed the changing of the guard as a bonus. To cap it all, the photos are already online and sensibly priced. Well done, everyone!!! Just one downer: I had my wallet stolen on the train to the airport!!!

Don't expect a great course or great cheering crowds. You come here to run from Marathon to the Panathenaikos Stadium, and you get just that: a classic start and a classic finish. The course itself is not spectacular at all - though reminding yourself that you are running a historic race makes this marathon great.

The organization is a little primitive, but basically OK. There is plenty of water along the course, good bus transportation to the finish, and the registration is smooth. I made all arrangements myself, which is perfectly possible. All is in English and easy to find. People and staff are very helpful.

For anyone wanting to run an international race, this is the one to do. And do it with Apostolos Greek Tours. They really did take care of everything so I didn't have to worry about anything. Paul and Jill were so organized and so much fun to be with, and having Jeff Galloway there to run with every day and answer even my dumbest question.... I can't say enough good things about this trip. Oh, I almost forgot about the party after the race. That was great fun! I would certainly do it again in a couple of years.

I agree with most of the comments already posted.

I took the 11-day Apostolos Greek Tour. They took care of all of the details regarding the event. The start area was build for the 2004 Olympic Games. The temperature was almost perfect with balloons and helicopters at the start. The rain made the roads a little slippery. The hills over the first 20 miles were harder than most of my 28 previous marathons. They took their toll and I was a little slower than I had hoped. There were not a lot of spectators compared with larger marathons but many cheered, "Bravo, Canada." This really helped my run. The finishing stadium was spectacular, but more spectators would have been nice.

The medal was small but historic and the gold foil cover blanket was nice. I enjoyed running to the top of the marble stadium after the run.

They only gave a bag with three bottles of fluid at the finish line. However, the Apostolos Greek Tour provided additional refreshments and food needed.

The remainder of the tour with Jeff Galloway was great. I would recommend it for anyone wanting to do a historic marathon.

I loved this marathon. The course is challenging and there aren't that many spectators, but the start in Marathon and the finish at the Panathenaikos Stadium in Athens are unforgettable.

Organization was just fine. I found the expo/registration very easily, although I will say I was greatly helped by the fact that I have some family in Athens. The expo itself was really weak, but this was their first year and I'm sure it will get better in the future. To me that's not a big factor. Organization at te start in Marathon was very good. It helps that there are only about 3,500 runners or so (there is also an option for power-walking, starting 2 hours prior to the marathon race itself).

They did have sports drinks on the course (PowerAde if I remember well), which to me is very important. Water alone doesn't do it for me. Water stops were every 2.5K, compared to every 5K as in most marathons. I really liked that. No food, though, but there were free gels at a couple of points on the course.

In my opinion, this is a must for marathon lovers! I will do it again for sure.

Good race, but tough course - maybe the toughest among all official IAAF marathon races.

Well organized event with enthusiastic and helpful staff. Interesting course with the first part on the countryside through villages, with farmers and people enjoying the race as spectators. Impressive route around the tomb with the ancient warriors from the battle, 490 B.C.E. Demanding course in the middle while the last 10 KM are downhill and the easiest I have ever run in a marathon. A lot of cheering spectators during the last 15 KM when getting closer to downtown Athens. The finish in the ancient Panathinaikon stadium is even more impressive than the finish in Stockholm. Every true marathon runner have to participate in this race at least once in his or her lifetime. I will be back in 2008!

My wife and I had a great trip to Greece. The marathon was everything I hoped it would be. We were not with a tour group and had no problem with any of the logistics. We learned how to use the subway and easily found our way to the expo and packet pickup. Race day was also very easy. Get to the finish line and you are bused to Marathon for the start. Not an easy course, but the historical significance makes up for the difficulty. Spectators are few but very supportive. BRAVO! BRAVO!

The tour with Apostolos was absolutely the best. We toured all the important sites - the Acropolis, shopping in the Planka, riding along the coast to Sounion to the Temple of Poseidon and more. Transportation to and from the marathon, with support along the way. The coures was beautiful, with more spectators along the course than I expected, and they were happily cheering us on. We had a pasta dinner the night before and a Gala Awards Banquet after the marathon at our 4-star hotel. At the banquet we had lots of food and drinks with Greek folk dancers. We received our Greek vase, wreath of olive leaves, and photos. Apostolos Tours were absolutely fabulous. I brought my parents along for the tours and they had a great time. Having Jeff Galloway there was like attending a running clinic also. I recommend it highly.