‘Athens Marathon. The Authentic’ Ready to Make its Comeback

“Athens Marathon. The Authentic” 2021 will return to the Greek capital during November 13-14, after two years of absence due to the coronavirus pandemic, the event’s organizers announced on Monday.

The top sporting event was successfully held in 2019, but was cancelled in 2020 due to the difficult circumstances caused by Covid-19. A virtual event was held in its place.

“After two years of absence for all our racing events, SEGAS (Hellenic Athletics Federation) is returning with a top event for Greece and the whole world,” the federation’s president, Sofia Sakorafa, said during a press conference in Athens.

According to Sakorafa, due to health and safety restrictions, the number of participants for this year’s event is limited to 30,000.

“I am optimistic that next year we will be able to return to the numbers of previous years. Athens Marathon is not just a sporting event, but a race that connects public and private initiatives, organizations, athletes, volunteers, the history of Greece and fair play,” she added.

During the press conference, Attica Governor George Patoulis referred to the promotion opportunities of the Athens Marathon event for Greece.

“Athens Marathon contributes to the promotion of our country on an international level. Our policy focuses on enhancing the added value of Attica’s brand name,” he said.

Patoulis added that the Region of Attica has doubled the sum allocated for the marathon aiming to “invest in the multiple benefits of sports events that unite the past with the present”.

According to reports, the Region of Attica contributes to the organizing needs of Athens Marathon with 409,000 euros.

“Athens Marathon. The Authentic” is recognized globally for its historical importance as it carries on the tradition since the first Olympics in 1896: The runners follow the classic marathon route retracing the steps of messenger Pheidippides, who, according to legend, in 490 BC, ran from Marathon to Athens to announce the Athenians’ victory over a Persian army. He then collapsed and died.

Athens to host a ‘green’ marathon

Meanwhile, SEGAS and the Environment Ministry have joined forces this year to hold the first “green” edition of “Athens Marathon. The Authentic”.

As announced by Deputy Environment Minister George Amyras, the ministry will register, analyze and search for the event’s quantity and quality environmental and non-environmental features in order to develop a policy that will reduce the environmental footprint of the marathon and other events organized by SEGAS.

During “Athens Marathon. The Authentic” 2021, SEGAS and the ministry will implement the following measures:

– the event’s 3,000 volunteers will use public transport, mainly the metro, at no cost
– athletes, companions and spectators will receive information on environmental issues by the environmental volunteers who will be introduced for the first time
– environmental volunteers will move around the city on electric skates and bicycles.

“Athens Marathon. The Authentic” 2021 is organized by SEGAS in collaboration with the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the Region of Attica and the municipalities of Athens and Marathon.

The event this year will take place under strict health and safety protocols against Covid-19.

“By maintaining all health protocols, Athens Marathon will become the bridge that unites legend with history, highlighting the power of human will and soul,” said Niki Arabatzi, President of the City of Athens Youth and Sports Organization (OPANDA).

The Greek Travel Pages (GTP) is a communication sponsor of “Athens Marathon. The Authentic” 2021.