Pheidippides, bucket lists and Coke:  what a mix!

The Athens Marathon 2015.

The Athens Marathon is rightly promoted as “The Authentic” marathon.

It sits high on marathon bucket-lists because it recreates the original legendary route from 490BC when Pheidippides ran the 42km from Marathon to Athens to announce victory over the attacking

Persians. Unfortunately for him it didn’t end well. Legend has it he proclaimed victory then promptly collapse and died. Thank God that didn’t happen to me.

Pheidippides (left) and I (right) now have a lot in common!

This year I was one of 16,000 who took to the course.  Two main memories: the hills (groan) and the finish line inside the Panathenaic Stadium; site of the original 1896 Olympic Games (WOW!)

Here’s my main memories:

1. The early start .... and we're off!

Buses departed Athens at 5.30am and arrived at Marathon 40 minutes later. But the race didn’t start till 9.00am so that’s a long time of doing nothing. And it was cold. And Marathon doesn’t have much going for it apart from its historical connection. So I actually found a spot and had a snooze!

Marathon ... just go up over those hills and you'll be in Athens

The corral system was excellent and the race run on major roads, all closed.

That's me in the yellow Janji singlet ....

Athens ... here we come!

A history reminder .... just in case you'd forgotten!

2.       The hills of Athens aren't easy!

I was not expecting the gradual climb of the course. From the 14km mark it goes up and up and doesn’t stop till the 30km mark. That’s over an hour worth of running – straight up. Oh, the never ending hills (far more Great Ocean Road Marathon than Gold Coast Marathon).

The hills are alive ..... with the sound of groaning ...

3.       The crowds

Who doesn’t love a Zorba dance to lighten your own step! And fans handing out olive tree leaves, constantly calling “Bravo” in thick accents.  Love it.

"Bravo, bravo...."

Spectacular art:  'The Runner'.     Made of sheets of glass

Speaking of crowds, I had to make the Expo/bib collection journey on Saturday afternoon.  Disastrous :(  Huge crowds and an hour to collect your t-shirt. The low point of the weekend.

4.       How smoothly the event was run

It's tough in Greece right now, right?  Yet Athens clearly recognizes  the importance of the event and values us tourists. (For example, there was an airline strike and their efforts to help those runners involved were impressive).

So they deserve a shout out for the organisation. It was as good as any big marathon anywhere. Sure the Expo was painful but apart from that hiccup the event was incredibly well organised. From plentiful coaches at 5.30am to take you to Marathon to drink stations, crowd control etc. Well done Athens!

5.       Drink stations ... time for a Coke!

This was bad. Such waste. At every drink station (and there were plenty) full bottles of water only.  Take a sip and throw it away. Such waste.Such rubbish.

Bottles of water and Powerade - with just sips taken from them added to the litter of the streets. Bad, bad, bad.


And the first time I’ve ever been offered Coca-Cola on a marathon.  It was the only time I’ll ever touch the stuff and, I must say, it was good!  And they served it in cups!

(Also the occasional bananas, gels and sponges)

I can't stand the character Sponge Bob Squarepants, but today I was happy to see him!

Whilst the course itself is relatively uninspiring (and don’t forget uphill), it’s because its tracing the original course and not following the trail of tourist sites (like the Rome Marathon does), but you still see some good sights ....

The ponies cheered us on, but their voices were a little horse!!   (sorry!)

History abounds!  But so do lots and lots of empty shops and businesses - a sign of Greece's struggling economy.

The last 10km are downhill or flat coming into Athens and you can make up time if the hills haven't destroyed you (like they had me!)

6.       Saving the best till last

The finish line is amazing. It's all about the history.

That 200m on the original Olympic Stadium track is worth every cent. The stadium experience is better than running into Australia's own MCG! 

Just 200 metres to go! Curse that British Royal Family for adding that extra 200 metres to the distance!

WOW

WOW WOW.
It was breathtaking (for what little breath I had left!)

Still buzzing. I was captivated by all this history and sat around for hours after soaking it in

Ratings:

Definitely one for the keen marathoners who have a bucket list. 

This is history overload.

How's this for an awesome medal!

Loses points for the Expo arrangements/distance out of town but gains for race day.

And did I say how special it was running into the stadium ....

Summary

One for the bucket list.

Be prepared for the hills.

And drinking Coke!

My event ranking:

Organisation	8	Overall, very good. Not Disney standard but good
Course	6	and 4 of those were for the finish!
Atmosphere	6	History!
Crowds	6	“Bravo”
Expo	3	Really a 7 but for the t-shirt collection & distance away
Medal	9	Wow.  Awesome
Runner’s pack	9	Adidas t-shirt & nice bag. Awesome medal
Injuries	1	1 blister but all toe nails intact!

And a farewell from the Parthenon!!