There is a lot to be said about running a marathon in Greece.  It's the birth place of our crazy past time after all.

Athens marathon can sell its self through history, this must cause issues with the other Marathons in Greece.

However Athens is neither flat nor particularly scenic and normally ran in November well out of sync with the rest of Europes major Marathons.

This gives a second marathon a chance to shine in the land of Marathon.

So what do we have.  A two lap affair which consists of two out and back sections, One along the coast which let's you take in the still snow covered mountains of the peloponnese and the sparkling sea waters, all under the watchful eye of the Nafplio fort on top of the nearby hill.

The second section twists through the picturesque town and the back to the start in the main square and repeat.

Of cause the second is where you find the supporters, the locals will sit in the cafés and cheer everyone past.  The first section you have your fellow runners, medical people and the aid station crew cheering you on.  It works out well. By the time you hit the wall you are back in the town on that last loop.

If flying in, the drive from Athens Airport is straight down the toll road for the most part.  Will take about 2hr and rack up about 15 Euro of toll money.  Of cause if you have more time take in the free coastal road. Adding about and hour.

Managed to find parking about 1km from the start so not too bad.

All in all 18 Euro for a closed Road Marathon can never be turned down.

Remember this is Greece everything will be in Greek, you won't get the international translation at the start, however you will get the appreciation for traving all that way to do it.

All in all for an event in its 4th year it is an excellent event.  The out and back sections let you take water and food from both sides of the road.  The water where stations never short of the good stuff. 

Once you complete the first lap and the half Marathons people stop it does get a bit sparce till you get back in to town.  But you are given a good send off as you head off on the second lap.

I real alternative to Athens Flat and picturesque....... And very cheap.