Want to avoid the peak tourist season and the stifling summertime temperatures? Visit the Greek capital in March for the Athens Half Marathon!
The race has only been on the calendar for four years but the fact an anticipated 20,000 runners are set to take part this year is an indictment of the event’s reputation. The event has also been given a five-star endorsement by European Athletics Running For All.
We give you six reasons why every runner should be thinking about giving the Athens Half Marathon on 20 March a try.
The spiritual home of running
One could say that road running has its roots in the Greek capital. Legend has it that Pheidippides ran just over 26 miles from the village of Marathon to Athens in 490BC to deliver the message the Greeks had triumphed over the Persians in the Battle of Marathon.
This route was used for the first Summer Olympics held in Athens in 1896 and again for the 1997 World Championships and 2004 Olympic Games. Running continues to grow in popularity with the marathon distance the ultimate pinnacle for most runners.
City slicker
The prospect of running the original marathon course is on many runners’ to-do list - and for good reason as well - but the course is one of the toughest in the world with an unrelenting uphill slog from 10km up to 31km. Likewise, the course isn’t a particularly inspiring one in terms of points-of-interest en route.
By contrast, the Athens Half Marathon starts and finishes in the city centre in Syntagma Square. Runners also pass the Panathenaic Stadium which staged the 1896 Olympic Games and the finish of the annual big-city marathon
Make a holiday out of it
Advanced-level registration for the Athens Half Marathon has plenty of perks. For starters, this will give entrants free access to public transportation for six days (three days prior to the event, and two days after) not to mention a discount to the Acropolis Museum.
While winters in Athens are certainly benign compared to northern European standards, the race traditionally takes place on the third Sunday of March to coincide with the beginning of spring. Average temperatures of 16C at this time of the month are more or less ideal for running and sightseeing alike.
Be part of a growing trend
From humble beginnings four years ago when a modest 3500 runners took part, an estimated 20,000 runners are expected to take to the streets of the Greek capital on 20 March.
And even in light of the economic hardships of recent years, running has proved an enduringly popular pursuit in Greece. Despite being organised on a shoestring budget, the Athens Marathon last year proudly boasted record participation: 16,000 runners contested the full marathon distance last November, while 43,000 took part in all events across the programme.
Good living
A good diet is paramount for runners and Greek cuisine is lauded as one of the healthiest in the world. With fresh vegetables and pulses core staples of many Greek dishes, runners will have no problems consuming their five-a-day, although saganaki - a deep-fried hard cheese - might be better off saved as a post-race indulgence.
Run for a reason
Running and fundraising are more or less synonymous and following in the footsteps of the full marathon, the Athens Half Marathon launched a successful charity and social liability programme last year allowing runners to add meaning to their miles by running for one of the event’s charities.
Visit the Event Website.
The European Athletics Quality Road Race standards act as an assurance for road runners throughout Europe. They distinguish between races that respect the standards and those that haven’t sought certification or assessment. They form the foundation of Running for All, a strong recognisable brand for running activities throughout Europe.
More information on Running For All:
Website: european-running4all.org
Twitter: @runningforall
Contact: running4all@european-athletics.org
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