Athens is preparing for major road closures this weekend, Nov. 8-9, as more than 75,000 runners are expected to participate in the 42nd Athens Marathon, The Authentic.
Authorities are advising drivers to avoid the city center and the entire marathon route, which will be closed for most of Sunday.
The main 42.195-kilometer (26.2-mile) race begins at 9 a.m. Sunday in the town of Marathon. The classic route along Marathonos Avenue—passing through the municipalities of Marathon, Rafina-Pikermi, Pallini, Agia Paraskevi, and Athens—will be closed to all vehicle traffic until 6:20 p.m.
The race finishes at the historic Panathenaic Stadium, venue of the first modern Olympics in 1896.
Closures will also be in effect on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 5 p.m. to 8:40 p.m. for the 5km and 5km Universities Night Run.
These races will affect streets surrounding Syntagma Square and the stadium. Additional 10km and kids’ races will also take place on Sunday, affecting central Athens.
The weekend, supported by 5,000 volunteers, is a massive citywide event.
It commemorates the legendary 490 B.C. run of the Athenian messenger Pheidippides from Marathon to Athens to announce victory over the Persians. Side events are also scheduled at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center.