I've run that race twice. First time in 2015 and second time 2018. It is the only race that can bring you down to your very knees and teach you a lot about yourself. After all THIS is the Authentic.
That is so true! I honestly can’t wait to do my next few Marathons because after Athens they should be easy! I will be back to do this race again though in the next few year just because I now have something to prove! 🙌🏻
It was my first marathon. I did it in 2011 (2500 years after the Battle of Marathon) aged 60, and again in 2021 (2500 years after the Battle of Salamis). The long hill is a drag, but I can say in all honesty that I loved every step of the way.
I see you also got the bug from the history of the event! I will definitely run this again once I’m back up to full speed after knee surgery last year!
I just registered tonight for the 2019 race and saw your video. Thank you for sharing. At least I know I won't be the only one that would hate those hills lol.
I mean this is just one hill... it just keeps going for 30km and slow eats away at your soul 😂😂 really though I hope it’s not as hot as it was last year the heat made that incline a killer
Well done,I have heard about those long uphill sections (10k - 32k odd)! I am 'thinking' about applying to run this year (2022)... was it a ballot system, or first come first served to get a place? Having ran a few marathons now, I have learned the importance of salt hydration tablets (to prevent cramping, especially hills!), and to generally keep taking in calories (peanut butter cups etc). I also read of runners drinking pickle water the night before a marathon... I've tried it a couple of times now, and it has worked well actually.
It isn’t a ballot system just first come first served… I’d definitely do it again though the atmosphere is incredible, especially in Athens afterwards you are treated like an Olympic athlete! But yes I had my plan for hydration and supplements (hence the vest) just the weather that day was so strange for November… so my plan was for a much cooler day (we thought about 22C). Since then I’ve added magnesium to my supplementation which seems to have really helped with cramping even on the hottest of days… The hardest part of that uphill section is that you are in the middle of the highway and there’s no shade and for large sections of the course not many people either and you see that hill just going up and up in the distance but never seems to get closer haha. But honestly this will be the one race I will never forget and the one I want to do again to prove I can run it in under 4hours
@@GarethDix Great stuff, you have convinced me to sign up when registrations for 2022 are released. Very informative video, and I will for sure read into adding magnesium. All the best with your training, be well.
@@GarethDix hello mate, just thought I would give you a shout out! I ran Athens Marathon yesterday, and it went perfectly to plan (better than actually). My take away - Carbo loading (reducing fibre too) works! I added magnesium supplements to my marathons this year. I completed it in 4:10, 19degree… perfect weather. The long uphills were no way as bad as feared. I am not so much fussed about finishing times now, (I am the high fiving the crowd sort)… but fully agree.. sub 4 is definitely possible in decent conditions. The fact that the course does not have many turns really kinda helped with preventing cramping later on. I have realised constant turns are my nemesis. I found Stockholm marathon more difficult. Thanks for your tips; especially on the magnesium. I hope running is going well and you are in good health 👍🏽
Awesome news! That’s a great time! I heard the conditions were great yesterday my friend was running it for the first time and managed to run a 3:24 which is crazy so now I really have to go do it again! I’m glad you enjoyed it, I have my first race since knee surgery in a couple of weeks (only 5.5km) but next year I’ll be back to marathons!
hello! Can I ask what the official website is to sign up for the race? I keep finding multiple sites and am unsure which site is the correct one. Thank you!
Sure it’s this one www.athensauthenticmarathon.gr There is another athens marathon but this is the one that runs from marathon into the stadium! Good luck with the race!
Sure it’s this one www.athensauthenticmarathon.gr There is another athens marathon but this is the one that runs from marathon into the stadium! Good luck with the race!
There were points where I really thought I’d give up... but I’m glad I didn’t! I want to do that race again to see if it’s easier without the heat and knowing it was all uphill 😂
@@GarethDix Worth checking the UA-cam videos for the year where one supporter filmed about 5 hours in one place about at point 35km. You can see yourself there. It is split into 2 uploads. For me this was more about the pilgrimage. Ran loads of marathons previously. Stayed in central Athens - really enjoyed the history as well. The Acropolis was just so amazing.....
I’ll check it out, the history is the only reason I agreed to do a marathon Im more of a 10k runner... well I was now I can’t wait to do more marathons but all my other races got cancelled so I can’t wait til the next one
It was 5:12… I’ve run 42km faster than that since but I’m planning on doing Athens again in the next couple of years to get redemption! And hopefully it won’t be as hot next time 😂
I've run that race twice. First time in 2015 and second time 2018. It is the only race that can bring you down to your very knees and teach you a lot about yourself. After all THIS is the Authentic.
That is so true! I honestly can’t wait to do my next few Marathons because after Athens they should be easy! I will be back to do this race again though in the next few year just because I now have something to prove! 🙌🏻
It was my first marathon. I did it in 2011 (2500 years after the Battle of Marathon) aged 60, and again in 2021 (2500 years after the Battle of Salamis). The long hill is a drag, but I can say in all honesty that I loved every step of the way.
I see you also got the bug from the history of the event! I will definitely run this again once I’m back up to full speed after knee surgery last year!
“Never again” - until the next one. Well done Gareth. Keep up
That’s the last time let you talk me into a race! Other than Tokyo 2020 Hahaha
The most thruthful story I ever watched and heard about The Athens marathon!
Thanks! It was brutal for a first marathon but I fully plan to do it again in a few years just to prove I can do it :)
I just registered tonight for the 2019 race and saw your video. Thank you for sharing. At least I know I won't be the only one that would hate those hills lol.
I mean this is just one hill... it just keeps going for 30km and slow eats away at your soul 😂😂 really though I hope it’s not as hot as it was last year the heat made that incline a killer
Well done,I have heard about those long uphill sections (10k - 32k odd)! I am 'thinking' about applying to run this year (2022)... was it a ballot system, or first come first served to get a place? Having ran a few marathons now, I have learned the importance of salt hydration tablets (to prevent cramping, especially hills!), and to generally keep taking in calories (peanut butter cups etc). I also read of runners drinking pickle water the night before a marathon... I've tried it a couple of times now, and it has worked well actually.
It isn’t a ballot system just first come first served… I’d definitely do it again though the atmosphere is incredible, especially in Athens afterwards you are treated like an Olympic athlete! But yes I had my plan for hydration and supplements (hence the vest) just the weather that day was so strange for November… so my plan was for a much cooler day (we thought about 22C). Since then I’ve added magnesium to my supplementation which seems to have really helped with cramping even on the hottest of days…
The hardest part of that uphill section is that you are in the middle of the highway and there’s no shade and for large sections of the course not many people either and you see that hill just going up and up in the distance but never seems to get closer haha. But honestly this will be the one race I will never forget and the one I want to do again to prove I can run it in under 4hours
@@GarethDix Great stuff, you have convinced me to sign up when registrations for 2022 are released. Very informative video, and I will for sure read into adding magnesium. All the best with your training, be well.
If you film the race and make a video let me know I’d love to see how your experience goes!
@@GarethDix hello mate, just thought I would give you a shout out! I ran Athens Marathon yesterday, and it went perfectly to plan (better than actually). My take away - Carbo loading (reducing fibre too) works! I added magnesium supplements to my marathons this year. I completed it in 4:10, 19degree… perfect weather. The long uphills were no way as bad as feared. I am not so much fussed about finishing times now, (I am the high fiving the crowd sort)… but fully agree.. sub 4 is definitely possible in decent conditions. The fact that the course does not have many turns really kinda helped with preventing cramping later on. I have realised constant turns are my nemesis. I found Stockholm marathon more difficult. Thanks for your tips; especially on the magnesium. I hope running is going well and you are in good health 👍🏽
Awesome news! That’s a great time! I heard the conditions were great yesterday my friend was running it for the first time and managed to run a 3:24 which is crazy so now I really have to go do it again!
I’m glad you enjoyed it, I have my first race since knee surgery in a couple of weeks (only 5.5km) but next year I’ll be back to marathons!
I finished this race 4 times ,but the sun a killer coming from Miami
I’m planning on doing it again next year and this time maybe I won’t be wearing black 😂😂
Congratulations
Thank you!! 😊😊
hello! Can I ask what the official website is to sign up for the race? I keep finding multiple sites and am unsure which site is the correct one. Thank you!
Sure it’s this one www.athensauthenticmarathon.gr
There is another athens marathon but this is the one that runs from marathon into the stadium! Good luck with the race!
Sure it’s this one www.athensauthenticmarathon.gr
There is another athens marathon but this is the one that runs from marathon into the stadium! Good luck with the race!
@@GarethDix Thank you so much!
Yes ran it that year as well - good review. I found it a bit frustrating as it is hard. My mind over matter was not as good as it should of been.
There were points where I really thought I’d give up... but I’m glad I didn’t! I want to do that race again to see if it’s easier without the heat and knowing it was all uphill 😂
@@GarethDix Worth checking the UA-cam videos for the year where one supporter filmed about 5 hours in one place about at point 35km. You can see yourself there. It is split into 2 uploads. For me this was more about the pilgrimage. Ran loads of marathons previously. Stayed in central Athens - really enjoyed the history as well. The Acropolis was just so amazing.....
I’ll check it out, the history is the only reason I agreed to do a marathon Im more of a 10k runner... well I was now I can’t wait to do more marathons but all my other races got cancelled so I can’t wait til the next one
So what was your time in the end??
It was 5:12… I’ve run 42km faster than that since but I’m planning on doing Athens again in the next couple of years to get redemption!
And hopefully it won’t be as hot next time 😂
@@GarethDix yeah it's a tough one so did well! Good luck at the next one!