Athens Authentic Marathon starts with new record participation

The 33rd Athens Authentic Marathon started on a sunny Sunday in Attica region with a new record participation for the original course from the site of the ancient battlefield of Marathon city to Athens, according to organizers.

Approximately 16,000 runners from all over the world follow the footsteps of the legendary soldier Pheidippides on the demanding 42 km course this year, out of a total of 43,000 participants in all races - among them 350 Chinese nationals.

Due to increased demand for the shorter distance 10km and 5 km courses and the kid's races for first time in the Athens Marathon's history, the parallel program will run throughout the day with several races scheduled also for the afternoon.

The Athens Marathon has developed in recent years as one of the biggest annual sports events for the Greek capital that is also supporting the ailing local economy in difficult times for the debt laden country.

Athens gains some 20 million euros each year from the event, according to official estimates from the organizers, the Greek Athletics Federation (SEGAS), and Hoteliers' Associations.

Each of the runners is accompanied by at least one relative or friend on average, while 100,000 spectators follow the Marathon along the course and at the finish line inside the Panathinaikon stadium, the marble venue of the 1896 first modern Olympic Games in the centre of Athens.

The Athens Marathon stems from Pheidippides' feat 25 centuries ago. The Athenian soldier, according to legend, run from the battlefield to Athens to announce Greeks' victory over the Persian forces and collapsed dead of exhaustion. He inspired modern Marathons worldwide.

In addition, the Athens Authentic Marathon is dedicated to the memory of Gregoris Lambrakis, a Greek pacifist politician who organized the first Peace Marathon race in 1963 in Greece and was assassinated shortly afterwards. Endi