Μake us preferred on Google More than 85,000 runners from Greece and abroad are taking part in the 43rd Athens Authentic Marathon on Sunday, November 8, setting a participation record for the event and prompting extensive traffic restrictions across the wider Athens region.
The marathon will run from 8:30 a.m. to 6:15 p.m., following the historic route from the town of Marathon to the Panathenaic Stadium in central Athens. A separate 10-kilometer race will take place from 8 a.m. to 10:10 a.m., starting at Syntagma Square and also finishing at the stadium.
The road closures will affect several municipalities along the route, including Marathon, Rafina-Pikermi, Pallini-Gerakas, Paiania-Glyka Nera, Agia Paraskevi, Papagou-Cholargos, Chalandri, Filothei-Psychiko and Athens. Restrictions will be introduced in stages and will remain in effect in some areas until Monday, November 9.
43rd Athens Marathon 2026 / Start of the Race in Marathon (Klodian Lato / Eurokinissi)
Metro services increased, tram routes changed
Public transportation services are being adjusted to accommodate runners and spectators.
According to the Athens public transport operator STASY, three additional trains will operate on each of the three metro lines — Lines 1, 2 and 3 — to increase service frequency. Line 1, also known as the ISAP electric railway, will begin operating at 5 a.m. on Sunday.
On Tram Line 6, which normally runs between Pikrodafni and Syntagma, services will terminate at Fix station until 10 p.m. The Syntagma, Zappeio and Leoforos Vouliagmenis stops will not be served during this period.
Marathon route and main road closures
The 42.195-kilometer race will start in Marathon and follow Marathonos Avenue, passing the Marathon Tomb before continuing through the Stavros interchange and along Mesogeion Avenue, Michalakopoulou Street and Fidippidou Street.
Runners will then proceed through the Kifisias-Alexandras interchange, Vasilissis Sofias Avenue and Irodou Attikou Street before finishing at the Panathenaic Stadium.
43rd Athens Marathon 2026 / Start of the Race in Marathon (Klodian Lato / Eurokinissi)
The 10-kilometer race will start on Vasilissis Amalias Avenue near Syntagma Square. Its route will pass through central Athens and continue along Mesogeion Avenue, Michalakopoulou and Fidippidou streets, before reaching Vasilissis Sofias Avenue and the Panathenaic Stadium.
Additional restrictions will apply to streets around the Panathenaic Stadium and along the marathon route. Parking will also be prohibited on a number of roads, including sections of Mesogeion, Vasilissis Sofias, Vasilissis Konstantinou, Ardittou, Michalakopoulou and Fidippidou avenues and streets.
The road closures will also affect the exits of Attiki Odos, the main highway serving the Athens metropolitan area, toward Rafina and Pallini, as well as Exit 15 toward Marathonos Avenue.
Restrictions around the marathon starting point
In the Marathon area, Marathonos Avenue will be closed in both directions between the starting point and Kato Souli Avenue from 5 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The section between Kato Souli and Dionysos avenues will be closed from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., while the section extending toward the Stavros interchange will remain closed from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Kato Souli Avenue will also be closed between Agios Athanasios Street and Marathonos Avenue from 5 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Special traffic arrangements will be in place early in the morning to transport runners to the starting area. Between 5 a.m. and 7:30 a.m., the left lane of Marathonos Avenue in the direction of Athens will operate in the opposite direction for buses carrying participants. The right lane will be reserved for event organizers, accredited vehicles and emergency services. A speed limit of 30 kilometers per hour will apply in both directions.
From 5 a.m. to 9 a.m., both lanes of Kato Souli Avenue toward Marathonos Avenue will also operate in the opposite direction to accommodate runner transport.
Drivers advised to use alternative routes
Police have designated controlled crossing points along the marathon route. Vehicles will not be permitted to cross closed sections elsewhere while the race is underway. Pedestrians, cyclists and users of light personal electric vehicles, including e-scooters and skateboards, will also be prohibited from crossing or traveling on the roadway along the route during the race.
Additional information will be available from the Marathon Operations Center on Sunday between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. at 210 8708 237, 210 8708 238 and 210 8708 239.
