10th INTERNATIONAL AUTHENTIC PHEIDIPPIDES RUN ANNIVERSARY EDITION
7/4/2026
10th INTERNATIONAL AUTHENTIC PHEIDIPPIDES RUN
ANNIVERSARY EDITION
ATHENS-SPARTA-ATHENS 485,3 km
ATHENS-SPARTA-ATHENS-MARATHON 524,9 km
Dedicated to the inspirer and creator of the route
"In the Footsteps of Takis Skoulis"
OFFICIAL RACE ANNOUNCEMENT
The Non-Profit Athletic and Cultural Club “AUTHENTIC PHEIDIPPIDES RUN” announces the organization of the 10th INTERNATIONAL AUTHENTIC PHEIDIPPIDES RUN, Anniversary Edition, ATHENS – SPARTA – ATHENS, 485.3 km and ATHENS – SPARTA – ATHENS – MARATHON 524.9 km, to be held from 19–23 November 2026.
The Athletic and Cultural Club Authentic Pheidippides Run (Registration No. 34245, Tax ID 996461641) was founded in 2024 for the preservation of this internationally significant historic race, as successors and continuators of the former club Athenian Runners.
The International “Authentic Pheidippides Run” is an international ultramarathon of 490 kilometers (Athens–Sparta–Athens), reviving the historic feat of the ancient courier Pheidippides in 490 BC, shortly before the Battle of Marathon.
The year 2026 marks the anniversary 10th International Authentic Pheidippides Run, dedicated to the inspirer and creator of the route, Takis Skoulis: “In the Footsteps of Takis Skoulis.” We offer the opportunity to those who complete the Authentic Pheidippides Run to follow the footsteps of General Miltiades and his soldiers, finishing in Marathon.
The 9th International Authentic Pheidippides Run was held:
Under the auspices of the Hellenic Parliament, the Region of Attica, the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, and the General Secretariat of Sports
With the approval of SEGAS
With IAU Bronze Label (International Association of Ultrarunners)
With certification and the auspices of the Hellenic Federation of Popular Mass Sport & Ultra-Running Associations (EOSLMA-Y)
With ERT (Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation) and ERA Sport as media sponsors
The Ambassador of the International Authentic Pheidippides Run is Balkan Champion, Greek Champion, and Olympian Maria Polyzou.
It is important to note that for the second consecutive year, the 9th Authentic Pheidippides Run included a wheelchair athlete with disabilities (AMEA). The organization will continue to support such initiatives of inclusion.
For the safety of the athletes, GPS tracking devices with SOS button will be provided throughout the race. Full medical coverage will be available along the route by EKAB (National Center for Emergency Care) and Hellenic Red Cross units. An operational medical plan is coordinated by EKEPY (National Health Operations Center), ensuring all hospitals along the route are on standby.
This athletic event embodies a threefold symbolism:
Fair play (Eu Agonizesthai)
The historic route of Pheidippides
Environmental awareness of local communities
The organizing association is responsible for the environmental program, aiming to minimize environmental impact and manage waste responsibly.
THE RACE
ATHENS-SPARTA-ATHENS
Race start: November 19, 2026 at 06:00 a.m.
Finish of the last athlete in Athens: November 23, 2026 at 08:00 a.m.
Total distance: 485,3 kilometers (about 243 kilometers each way)
Time limit: 98 hours (start and finish at the Ancient Agora of Athens)
ATHENS-SPARTA-ATHENS-MARATHON
Race start: November 19, 2026 at 06:00 a.m.
Finish of the last athlete in Marathon: November 23, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.
Total distance: 524,9 kilometers
Time limit: 100 hours
A prerequisite for an athlete to participate in the route “In the Footsteps of the Athenian Army” (Athens–Marathon) is a valid finish in previous years. This applies ONLY to the anniversary 10th Authentic Pheidippides Run.
From future editions onward, the qualifying requirement will be arrival in previous years at Ancient Agora finish line (Mikis Theodorakis Square) within 93 hours.
Participation in the route “In the Footsteps of the Athenian Army” is optional, and interest must be declared during registration. During the race, and for reasons of proper planning, the route CANNOT be changed. This means that, if an athlete has declared participation in the route “In the Footsteps of the Athenian Army”, HE WILL BE CONSIDERED AS FINISHER ONLY IF HE ARRIVES TO MARATHON.
COURSE
The route follows the entire ancient road from Athens to Eleusis, Megara, Ancient Corinth, then towards Agios Vasileios, Ancient Cleonae, reaching Ancient Nemea. It continues through Malandreni, Lyrkeia, Karya, climbs Mount Artemisio (1,227 m), descends to Nestani, passes Tegea, and enters the Tripoli–Sparta road, finishing at the statue of Leonidas at the Sparta Stadium.
This ensures the most historically accurate route of the ancient runner Pheidippides.
Return is via the exact same route.
Total distance: 485,3 km.
CHECKPOINTS – MAIN STATIONS
ANCIENT AGORA - SPARTA (242.5 km / 43 HOURS):
ANCIENT AGORA - MEGARA (39.4 km): 5:30 hours (check point only)
KAPI KINETAS (54.3 km): (Main station - rest station)
MEGARA - EXAMILIA (46.6 km): 07:00 hours
EXAMILIA - NEMEA (32.1 km): 05:30 hours
NEMEA - NESTANI (50.1 km): 11:00 hours
NESTANI - TEGEA (23.4 km): 04:00 hours
TEGEA - SPARTA (50.9 km): 10:00 hours
SPARTA - ANCIENT AGORA (242.8 km / 55 HOURS):
SPARTA - TEGEA (50.9 km): 14:15 hours
TEGEA - NESTANI (23.4 km): 4:45 hours
NESTANI - NEMEA (50.1 km): 11:45 hours
NEMEA - EXAMILIA (32.1 km): 7:00 hours
EXAMILIA - MEGARA (46.6 km): 9:30 hours (check point only)
KAPI KINETAS (430.9 km): (Main station - rest station)
MEGARA - ANCIENT AGORA (39.4 km): 7:45 hours
ANCIENT AGORA - MARATHON (39.6 km)
For the ATHENS-SPARTA-ATHENS-MARATHON race, the time limit is 100:00 hours after the start, and there is a cut-off point of 93:00 hours to reach Ancient Agora at 485.3 km. This means that the last 39.6 km should be covered in 7:00 hours.
TIMING
Electronic timing will be used.
Athletes will be monitored via checkpoints, course officials, and GPS event tracking with SOS button. A live tracking link will be announced prior to the race.
SUPPLY POINTS
77 aid tables in each direction with water, isotonic drinks, and snacks
Hot meals (including vegetarian options) at 11 main stations
Athletes without crew may send personal nutrition supplies to 11 designated stations, labeled with BIB number and table number
All personal supplies are subject to inspection
WARNING:
Crew support is allowed only at official aid tables (within 30 meters). Any assistance outside these areas results in disqualification.
PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS
There are NO competitive qualifying standards.
Athletes are responsible for understanding the extreme difficulty of the event.
Additional Requirements:
Medical certificate issued no more than 6 months before race start
Payment of participation fee within 1 month of registration and no later than 30/09/2026
ENTRY FEES
Up to 28/02/2026, the Entry fee is 600 € payable to the Bank Account:
Bank: Alpha Bank
IBAN: GR3601401730173002002016607
BIC: CRBAGRAA
Beneficiary: ΑΘΛΗΤΙΚΟΣ ΠΟΛΙΤΙΣΤΙΚΟΣ ΣΥΛΛΟΓΟΣ ΑΥΘΕΝΤΙΚΟΣ ΦΕΙΔΙΠΠΙΔΕΙΟΣ ΔΡΟΜΟΣ/Α.Π.Σ ΑΥΘΕΝΤΙΚΟΣ ΦΕΙΔΙΠΠΙΔΕΙΟΣ ΔΡΟΜΟΣ = (SPORTS AND CULTURAL CLUB AUTHENTIC PHEIDIPPIDES RUN / S.C.C. AUTHENTIC PHEIDIPPIDES RUN)
THE OFFER WILL BE VALID UNTIL 28/02/2026 (payment registration until 28/02/2026).
From 01/03/2026 to 30/09/2026, entry fee is 700 € (for payment registration not later than 30/09/2026).
For athletes who will take part in the anniversary route Athens-Sparta-Athens-Marathon, the participation fee amounts to €700, REGARDLES OF THE REGISTRATION DATE.
Payment should be made within one month of the application date and no later than 30/09/2026.
THE FEE INCLUDES
Race bib
Electronic timing
Finisher medal & diploma
Commemorative T-shirt
Commemorative finisher gift
Transport of personal supplies
Medical coverage
Transport for non-finishers
Aid station nutrition
Hot meals at 11 main stations
Rest facilities
GPS tracking with SOS
Hotels and crew meals are NOT included.
REGISTRATION
Applications must be submitted by 30/09/2026 via the official registration link.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Full refund (minus bank fees) until 30/09/2026
After this date, no refunds. Participation may be transferred to the following year, excluding certain costs such as gps tracker, electronic timing chip, athlete shirt, athlete finisher gift and others.
AWARDS
ATHENS-SPARTA-ATHENS
Top 3 men & women
First Greek finisher
Youngest finisher (≤26)
Oldest finisher (≥62)
All finishers receive medals, diplomas and a commemorative finisher gift
All participants receive a commemorative T-shirt
ATHENS-SPARTA-ATHENS-MARATHON
Top 3 men & women
First Greek finisher
All finishers receive medals, diplomas and a commemorative finisher gift
All participants receive a commemorative T-shirt
MEDICAL COVERAGE
Comprehensive medical coverage throughout the route, with hospitals on standby under EKEPY operational planning.
STORAGE OF PERSONAL BELONGINGS
Secure storage will be provided for participants’ personal items.
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