© 123rf.com

A sporting event rooted in ancient history, the marathon race was born here in Athens, when the soldier Pheidippides brought news of the Athenian victory over the Persians from the battlefield at Marathon. The first marathon race was run at the Athens Olympic Games in 1896. Today the Athens marathon is run over the same route followed by Pheidippides, more or less, and over the traditional distance of 42.195km (26 miles 385 yards). The race begins at the ancient battlefield of Marathon and meanders on roads through the environs of Athens before arriving at the Panathinaikon Stadium. The route is mainly flat but with hilly stretches in the middle.

Times
0900.