About | Olympia Marathon

Olympism and Marathon, two words of deep meaning and high symbolism, two of the greatest values of Hellenic Culture, we decided to unite them and create an event that is an ideal model for the synthesis of sport, culture, thematic tourism and local development.

A great sporting event for Ilia, but also a race that invokes history, memory and culture.

The Marathon of Olympia follows the footprints of the Sacred Route, the “Road to Glory” as it is known in our times. The Sacred Route of Ilia, linking Elis with Olympia, is one of the most important routes of antiquity and an integral part of the Olympic history. On the eve of the Olympics, one of the greatest peaceful hikes of Greek antiquity would every time take place: Consisted by thousands of people carrying valuable sacred objects the Sacred Procession of the Olympic Games would transit from the city to the sanctuary for the celebration of the greatest celebration of the Greeks in honor of Zeus.

We are hoping that this event, which is dedicated to the memory of the 1st Marathon runner in History, Charilaos Vasilakos, will be a celebration of classical sport that will attract visitors from every corner of the earth, making them carriers of the ideals of the race, as well as sending the omnipotent message for Peace and Democracy.

The land of Ilia, the sacred site of sport and culture, the sacred place that gave birth to the Olympic Games.

The Marathon of Olympia, isn’t just like any other marathon race, it is a unique Marathon. This significant and promising event, nowadays unites the two historic cities of Ilida and Olympia that were to remain in history, as the cities of high ideals of Olympism, Peace, and Solidarity. The two cities where the Olympic Spirit was born and the Olympic Ideal was revived.

The comparative advantages of this event, apart from its strong symbolism and name, stem from both the history of the journey and the uniqueness of the finish point of the race, which is no other than the Ancient Stadium of Olympia.