Battle of Marathon

Marathon town’s most famous event was the Battle of Marathon when Athenians defeated the invading Persians in 490 BC. Pedal to the sacred burial ground of the ancient Greek soldiers.

Quick quiz!  If your hotel is in the center of Athens and the tour starts in the town of Marathon, how far is that?  Any sports enthusiast knows the answer — 42 kilometers (26.2 miles), the distance of a runner’s marathon.   When the Europeans resurrected the Olympics in 1896, they were inspired to recreate the route of Phidippides’ historic run from the Marathon battle scene to Athens to announce Nike, Nike (the Greek word for victory).   This is how the marathon became a competition.

The Battle of Marathon tour does not follow Phidippides’ route.   Instead, there’s a vehicle transfer to Marathon where you pedal to five points of interest, ending at a serene nature reserve in Schinias wetlands.

TOUR ITINERARY

Tour pick-up at 09:00 and drop-off at 18:00 is at lower side of Syntagma Square (Ermou Street) in central Athens.   See map.

• Transfer from Syntagma Square to Marathon (estimate 1 hour).
• Tour the Museum of Marathon Road Race, housing 4000 exhibits, including the authentic medal of Greek athlete Spyros Louis, winner of the first Olympic Marathon in 1896.
• Begin biking from the runners start point of Athens Classic Marathon, the annual November marathon that traces Phidippides’ original route.
• Bike a quiet rural road to Archaeological Museum of Marathon.  Exhibits include the original Ionic capital of the Nike Trophy from the victory over the Persians in 490 BC.
• Bike past farms on agricultural roads to reach the sea, following the coastline on a car free route, then turning inland to the Marathon Tomb, 9 meters high (29 ft) and 50 meters in diameter (164 ft), holding the bones of the 192 Athenians who died at the Battle of Marathon.
• Bike to lunch at a seaside outdoor fish taverna.
• Bike on rural roads to the Nike Trophy, a reconstructed marble obelisk located near the spot where 10,000 Athenians defeated 30,000 Persians.
• Bike to Schinias National Park, the most important coastal ecosystem in Attika.  Amidst an abundance of nature, you can swim or engage in beach clean-up of debris.
• Transfer from Schinias to Syntagma Square.

TOUR INCLUSIONS

• Bike guide
• Vehicle support.   Company vehicle trails riders at a discrete distance.  Vehicle carries spare bike parts, floor pump, your day pack, first aid kit, water and snacks.   You can hop in if you want a rest.   Driver is also a bike mechanic.
• Hybrid bikes with thick tires and flat handlebars.   Includes helmet, water bottle and handlebar pouch which fits your wallet, cellphone and camera.
• Delicious lunch at seaside fish taverna (meat, vegan and vegetarian options).
• Entry fees to all museums.
• Transfers in company vehicle to/from Syntagma Square

RIDE INFO

The biking mileage is 24 kilometers (15 miles).    The bike route is almost entirely flat – the highest climb only 50 meters (164 ft).   The ride takes place on mostly rural paved roads with gravel or dirt from time to time, surrounded by agricultural fields.   A portion of the route (almost 3 km) follows a car-free coastal pedestrian-bicycle path.