Athens Classic Marathon 2027

The Athens Classic Marathon - the race that gave the distance its name - is expected to take place on Sunday, 14 November 2027, based on the established pattern of the second Sunday of November. The 2027 edition will be the 45th running of the modern race. Exact date confirmation and registration details will be published at athensauthenticmarathon.gr in early 2027.

The course follows the route first run by the messenger Pheidippides in 490 BC: from the archaeological site at Marathon on the northeastern Attic coast, 42.195 km west to the marble Panathenaic Stadium in central Athens - the venue for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.

The course

Runners start in the village of Marathon and spend the first half of the race in rolling hills before dropping toward Athens. The route passes through ancient olive groves and the outskirts of the Attica basin. The final kilometres bring athletes into the city and down the long avenue toward the Panathenaic Stadium, where the finish line is inside the marble track. No other marathon finish in the world carries the same historical weight - crossing the line in a stadium built in 330 BC and restored for the 1896 Olympics is an experience runners describe as unlike any other race.

Participating or spectating

Entry for the full marathon and accompanying shorter races (10 km, 5 km, and a children’s race) typically opens in spring of the race year. The marathon attracts around 18,000 runners from over 100 countries - international entries typically sell out months in advance. Spectating is free and the most atmospheric spots are along the final 5 km into Athens and inside the Panathenaic Stadium for the finish.

The race starts in the morning to avoid the full heat of the day, though early November in Athens is mild (typically 15–20°C). Athens’s light and clear skies on a November morning make this one of the more comfortable major city marathons for mid-field and recreational runners.

Combining the marathon with Athens

Race weekend provides a natural reason for a longer Athens trip. The Acropolis, the National Archaeological Museum, and the neighbourhoods of Monastiraki and Plaka are all within easy reach of the Panathenaic Stadium finish area. See our Athens city guide for accommodation options and what to do around the race.

Exploring Athens beyond the finish line? Browse Athens tours and experiences on GetYourGuide - including guided Acropolis visits and full-day Attica excursions that pair well with a marathon weekend.