GNTO Teams Up With SEGAS for the Promotion of Athens Marathon, Allots 98,000 Euros for the Cause

Photo source: SEGAS

The Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) has earmarked 98,000 euros for the joint promotion with the Hellenic Amateur Athletic Association (SEGAS) of the “Athens Marathon. The Authentic” to take place on November 8 in the Greek capital.

Photo source: SEGAS

The funds will also cover events taking place in the run-up to the Marathon in Greece and abroad as well as promotional material, participation in other city marathons – among them those in Copenhagen (May 24) or Stockholm (May 30), Berlin (September 27), Chicago (October 11), Toronto (October 18) and Shanghai (November 1) – the Athens Half Marathon on May 3, and the Association of International Marathon and Distance Races (AIMS) annual gala.

At the same time, the GNTO logo www.vistigreece.gr will be printed on all Marathon material and the organization will have its own stand during the three-day Ergo Marathon Expo to take place at the Τaekwondo Indoor Hall in Faliro on November 6-8.

SEGAS figures reveal that interest in the Athens Marathon has shown impressive growth with 5,700 runners taking place in the event in 2006 compared to over 31,000 participating last year. In the meantime, the number of foreign athletes increased by 35 percent in 2014 compared to 2013.

According to SEGAS, 90 percent of the participants visit Greece due to the Athens Marathon, which includes runners from some 100 countries. The Athens Half Marathon, is the latest initiative aimed at making Athens a choice city break destination. SEGAS found that visiting runners’ annual income exceeds 50,000 euros, while 80 percent of these athletes travel at least twice a year outside their country of residence to participate in respective races.