BEFORE THE EVENT
AGE LIMIT
In order to participate in the Marathon Race (or Power Walking), a runner should be at least 18 years old.
TRANSPORTATION OF PARTICIPANTS TO THE START AREA
The participants in the Marathon Race and Power Walking will be taken to the Marathon Start Area with busses that will be departing simultaneously from three different points (meeting points) in the city centre of Athens. All busses will leave from Athens heading to Marathonas (city of Marathon) within one (1) hour, starting from 05.30am and up to 06.30am. After the last bus has departed, any runner that was late will have to take care of his/her own transportation to Marathonas himself/herself.
All participants need to be at the Start area at least one (1) hour before the start of the Race, meaning at 08.00am the latest.
BUSSES DEPARTURE POINTS:
1) Vas. Sofias Avenue, in front of the "EVAGGELISMOS" Metro Station
2) Amalias Avenue, at Syntagma, 100m from the "SYNTAGMA" Metro Station
3) Syggrou Avenue, in front of the "SYGGROU-FIX" Metro Station
In order to participate in the Marathon Race (or Power Walking), a runner should be at least 18 years old.
TRANSPORTATION OF PARTICIPANTS TO THE START AREA
The participants in the Marathon Race and Power Walking will be taken to the Marathon Start Area with busses that will be departing simultaneously from three different points (meeting points) in the city centre of Athens. All busses will leave from Athens heading to Marathonas (city of Marathon) within one (1) hour, starting from 05.30am and up to 06.30am. After the last bus has departed, any runner that was late will have to take care of his/her own transportation to Marathonas himself/herself.
All participants need to be at the Start area at least one (1) hour before the start of the Race, meaning at 08.00am the latest.
BUSSES DEPARTURE POINTS:
1) Vas. Sofias Avenue, in front of the "EVAGGELISMOS" Metro Station
2) Amalias Avenue, at Syntagma, 100m from the "SYNTAGMA" Metro Station
3) Syggrou Avenue, in front of the "SYGGROU-FIX" Metro Station
ATTENTION: The Marathon course is completed closed down for vehicles after 08.00am. Circulation of vehicles is prohibited on both directions of Marathonos Avenue.
WARM UP
Runners may warm up in the Marathon Stadium as well as on all roads of Marathonas, apart from the area in front of the start line.
CLOTHING & PERSONAL BELONGINGS MANAGEMENT
All participants need to put their personal clothing and other belongings in the kit (plastic) bag that they will collect along with their bib number and timing chip from the Registration Centre (ATHENS CLASSIC MARATHON EXPO).
No later than 30 minutes before the start of the race (by 08.30am), the runners need to have delivered the kit bag with their personal belongings and clothing to the volunteers at the designated area located 100m before the Start Arch (parking area), so that the bags are taken back to the Panathinaiko Stadium by specific vehicles. All vehicles will have signs with the bib numbers of the runners, whose clothing they carry. Volunteers will be there to assist the runners.
The runners may collect back their kit bag from a certain area outside the Panathinaiko Stadium, on Vas. Konstantinou Avenue. Runners should present their bib number in order to collect their bags and to have already removed their timing chip.
ATTENTION: All bags should have the runner's bib number clearly written on. The bag should be well closed and not to include any travel documents, jewellery, money or medicine. The Organizing Committee of the Athens Classic Marathon bears no responsibility in cases of loss or damage of any valuable item being in the bag.
STARTING BLOCKS
The runners will be put into different blocks at the start area, baased on their bib number and its colour.
All runners need to be in their place within the specific starting block at least 15 minutes before the start of the race.
The allotment of runners into blocks was made according to their best performances (best time) the last three years (2008-2010) stated by the runners themselves during the registation procedure and after a relevant verification process run by the Athens Classic Marathon Organizing Committee. In case no best time is mentioned, the relevant runners is automatically put in the last two blocks.
STARTING THE RACE
The start of the race will be given by shot at 09.00am sharp (Block A).
The rules of "wave start" will be applied for the first time this year and there will be in total seven (7) consecutive starts. The runners will cross the start line in waves (blocks). The 2nd block will leave one minute later (09.01am) that Block A. The 3rd block will leave two minutes afterwards (09.03am). Each one of the next blocks will leave with four minutes difference from the previous one.
All runners are kindly asked to follow the rules of the Athens Classic Marathon Organizing Committee and the guidelines of the designated staff and volunteers at the start area. In case a runner places himself in a block other than the own matching with his/her bib number, he/she will be disqualified and will not be registered in the official results list.
DURING THE RACE
KILOMETRE INDEXES
There are kilometre indexes at every kilometre of the course.
FEED ZONES (SUPPORT STATIONS)
Fifteen (15) feed zones will operate along the Marathon Course from the 5th to the 40th km.
Bottled water will be offered at the Start and the Finish as well as at every 2.5km after the 5km. The stations at the 10th – 15th – 20th – 25th – 30th – 35th and 40th km will also offer isotonic drinks (POWERADE). Sponges will be offered at the 7.5th, 12.5th, 17.5th, 22.5th, 27.5th, 32.5th and the 37.5th km.
Each station will offer:
WARM UP
Runners may warm up in the Marathon Stadium as well as on all roads of Marathonas, apart from the area in front of the start line.
CLOTHING & PERSONAL BELONGINGS MANAGEMENT
All participants need to put their personal clothing and other belongings in the kit (plastic) bag that they will collect along with their bib number and timing chip from the Registration Centre (ATHENS CLASSIC MARATHON EXPO).
No later than 30 minutes before the start of the race (by 08.30am), the runners need to have delivered the kit bag with their personal belongings and clothing to the volunteers at the designated area located 100m before the Start Arch (parking area), so that the bags are taken back to the Panathinaiko Stadium by specific vehicles. All vehicles will have signs with the bib numbers of the runners, whose clothing they carry. Volunteers will be there to assist the runners.
The runners may collect back their kit bag from a certain area outside the Panathinaiko Stadium, on Vas. Konstantinou Avenue. Runners should present their bib number in order to collect their bags and to have already removed their timing chip.
ATTENTION: All bags should have the runner's bib number clearly written on. The bag should be well closed and not to include any travel documents, jewellery, money or medicine. The Organizing Committee of the Athens Classic Marathon bears no responsibility in cases of loss or damage of any valuable item being in the bag.
STARTING BLOCKS
The runners will be put into different blocks at the start area, baased on their bib number and its colour.
All runners need to be in their place within the specific starting block at least 15 minutes before the start of the race.
The allotment of runners into blocks was made according to their best performances (best time) the last three years (2008-2010) stated by the runners themselves during the registation procedure and after a relevant verification process run by the Athens Classic Marathon Organizing Committee. In case no best time is mentioned, the relevant runners is automatically put in the last two blocks.
STARTING THE RACE
The start of the race will be given by shot at 09.00am sharp (Block A).
The rules of "wave start" will be applied for the first time this year and there will be in total seven (7) consecutive starts. The runners will cross the start line in waves (blocks). The 2nd block will leave one minute later (09.01am) that Block A. The 3rd block will leave two minutes afterwards (09.03am). Each one of the next blocks will leave with four minutes difference from the previous one.
All runners are kindly asked to follow the rules of the Athens Classic Marathon Organizing Committee and the guidelines of the designated staff and volunteers at the start area. In case a runner places himself in a block other than the own matching with his/her bib number, he/she will be disqualified and will not be registered in the official results list.
DURING THE RACE
KILOMETRE INDEXES
There are kilometre indexes at every kilometre of the course.
FEED ZONES (SUPPORT STATIONS)
Fifteen (15) feed zones will operate along the Marathon Course from the 5th to the 40th km.
Bottled water will be offered at the Start and the Finish as well as at every 2.5km after the 5km. The stations at the 10th – 15th – 20th – 25th – 30th – 35th and 40th km will also offer isotonic drinks (POWERADE). Sponges will be offered at the 7.5th, 12.5th, 17.5th, 22.5th, 27.5th, 32.5th and the 37.5th km.
Each station will offer:
| Station | | Medical Services | Water | Powerade | Sponges | GU Gel | Bananas | Fitness Bars | Coca Cola | Refreshment | WC |
| Start | | x | x | | | | | | | | x |
| 5km | | x | x | | | | | | | | x |
| 7.5km | | | x | | x | | | | | | x |
| 10km | | x | x | x | | | | | | | x |
| 12.5km | | | x | | x | | | | | | x |
| 15km | | x | x | x | | | x | | | | x |
| 17.5km | | | x | | x | | | | | | x |
| 20km | | x | x | x | | x | x | | | | x |
| 22.5km | | | x | | x | | | | | | x |
| 25km | | x | x | x | | | | x | | | x |
| 27.5km | | | x | | x | | | | | | x |
| 30km | | x | x | x | | | x | x | x | | x |
| 32.5km | | | x | | x | | | | | | x |
| 35km | | x | x | x | | | | | x | | x |
| 37.5km | | | x | | x | | | | | | x |
| 40km | | x | x | x | | | | | | | x |
| Finish | | x | x | x | | | x | x | | x | x |
Apart from the Start are and the Finish, WCs will be available in every feed zone (support station).
ATTENTION: All runners are kindly requested to throw any bottle (of water, powerade or of personal drink or other), cap, sponge, etc., in the designated recycling bins on the right side of the road, so that accidents are avoided. For their own facilitation, the runners are adviced not to congest in front of the first table of each station. In each station, there are more tables to serve all runners, covering a distance of more thatn 100m.
MEDICAL SERVICES
It is essential that all participating runners have a medical check-up before the race at their own responsibility. As it is mentioned on the registration form, all runners “…. compete at the Marathon race/Power Walking/10km Road Race/5km Road Race in complete personal responsibility having already taken all medical exams”.
The Organising Committee is responsible to provide medical services to the runners by organising and operating medical stations and units throughout the course, as well as at the Start area and the Finish. An ambulance follows the last group of runners . Red Cross volunteers as well as volunteers from other medical associations will be in various spots along the course in order to provide first aid and to contact the responsible persons in cases of emergency.
PERSONAL DRINKS
The Personal Drinks service will not be available this year for the runners, except for the Elite Athletes and the participants in CISM.
SLOW RUNNERS
A certain time limit of eight (8) hours has been established for the Marathon race (including Power Walking), in order for the participants to reach the finish line. The runners running slower than the limits presented below should have to quit their effort and be taken to the Finish by the appropriate staff of the Organizing Committee. If he/she decides to continue the race at his own RISK, he/she should strictly move onto the pavement. This is to the safety of the participants, as after the time limits presented below the streets will be given partly to vehicles circulation. All runners are advised to follow these instructions to the point.
TIME LIMIT
The Marathon race and Power Walking finish at 17.30, taking under consideration the intervals between the seven (7) consecutive starts. Runners who continue running beyond the time frames mentioned below may go on AT THEIR OWN RISK. Police will gradually allow vehicles’ circulation on the road after the last runners has passed each feed zone according to the following time frames.
| Feed Zone | Time Limit |
| 5km | 10.20am |
| 7.5km | 10.49am |
| 10km | 11.17am |
| 12.5km | 11.46am |
| 15km | 12.14am |
| 17.5km | 12.43am |
| 20km | 13.11am |
| 22.5km | 13.40am |
| 25km | 14.08am |
| 27.5km | 14.37am |
| 30km | 15.01am |
| 32.5km | 15.30am |
| 35km | 15.58am |
| 37.5km | 16.27am |
| 40km | 16.55am |
A vehicle with a big digital double-faced chronometer on its top will be moving in front of the leading group of runners. There will also be a digital double-faced chronometer at the finish line, as well as at the 21.1km (one side only).
TIMING
All runners will receive, along with their bib number, a timing chip. Specialists on timing will show you its function upon collection. By using this chip, the runners will be registered in the official results list and will be informed about their split time at the 5th, the 10th, the 21.1st and the 30th km, apart from their finish time. Any runner for whom no time is shown at the start, the finish and the above mentioned timing zones will be disqualified.
The runners are kindly reminded that they need to attach their chip on their shoe, which, along with their bib number, consist of the athlete's identity in the electronic results system. The results are not registered by the individual use of the bib number or the timing chip. Both of them are needed.
Chips must necessarily be returned to the organizers after the finish. In case of dropping out or of not participation at all, runners need to make sure that they return the chip to the SEGAS Headquarters within the next three days.
Only the runners who reached the finish within the time limit of eight hours and completed respecting the regulations of the event will be registered in the official results list.
RULES AND FAIR PLAY
The observance of the of International Athletics Association Federations (IAAF) rules, the regulations of the Association of International Marathons Races and Distance Running (AIMS) and, at national level, those of the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS) is substantial for the safe and equal participation of all the runners during this popular mass sport event. The Fair Play and noble competition are those that characterize the Athens Classic Marathon event and they are essential in promoting the Olympic Ideals. Everyone should respect his/her co-runners, not blocking their way and the flow of the event.
The judges and staff of the Organizing Committee have the right to disqualify any runner at any time during the race, in case he/she does not follow the rules of the event, and to delete his/her name from the official results list after evaluating any needed material and submitted apeal.
ACCESS IN THE MARATHON COURSE (Spectators)
All courses for the 2010 Athens Classic Marathon Road Races will be free from any kind of vehicles circulation and will be dedicated to the runners.
Noone (spectators, coaches, etc.) on any kind of vehicle, apart from the participants, is allowed on the road lanes used by the runners. The lanes next to those used by the runners are used by the Police and the Medical Services Department, as well as by all support vehicles of the Organizing Committee. All spectators, as well as friends and family members of the runners may watch the race at any point, allowed to use only the Public Transport Means.
Especially for the Marathon Race, the runners may be escorted by bicycles, after the written approval of the Organizing Committee and the provision of the appropriate accreditation. The circulation of accompanying bicycles among the rest of the runners, the lack of the appropriate accreditation as well as the disobey to the police instructions will result to an removal of the biker from the Marathon course and the disqualification of the runner himself/herself.
FINISHING THE RACE
Entrance in the Panathinaikon Stadium will not be possible for those not bearing a bib number and they will be stopped before entering the Stadium.
AFTER FINISHING THE RACE
The runners that finish their race need to keep walking. If any of the participants needs medical assistance, medical staff will be there to offer first aid services. Right after the finish, all runners will be given a finisher's medal and will be asked to move towards the exit using the lanes designated for that particular purpose. Exiting the Stadium, the runners will be offered water, isotonic drinks, juices, snack bars, bananas, etc. The runners need to remove their timing chip before collecting their kit bag with their personal belongings.
The runners may collect their own kit bag presenting their bib number. The designated vehicles carrying the kit bags of the runners will be parked on Vas. Konstantinou Avenue.
Separate changing rooms for men and women will be available in the area of the "I. FOKIANOS" sport club. In the same area, massage will be offered to all runners that wish so or are need of after they have collected their kit bags with their clothing.
ACCESS TO THE FINISH AREA
The access to the court yard and the Field of Play of the Panathinaikon Stadium, where all the above takes place, is strictly allowed only to the runners that finish the race and to the staff members of the Organizing Committee with the specific credentials on their accreditation. Friends, family members and coaches should not try to access this particular area, as this will result to discomfort for the runners trying to exit the Stadium and will not allow the Organizing Committee to offer the best possible services to the runners. No kind of wheel-vehicle (bicycle, baby stroller, etc) is allowed in the Field of Play of the Panathinaikon Stadium.
MEDAL AWARDS
Awards (medals and certificates) will be presented to the first three winners of the race for both Men and Women. Commemorative cup will be awarded only to the first man and the first woman winner of the race. The winners are kindly requested to proceed to the medal ceremony area as soon as possible after the race.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
The split times of the participants are announced during the race in our website. After the end of the race, the official results for the first 20 runners will be immediately announced. The unofficial results for all the rest will be announced in our website a few hours after the end of the Race, giving the opportunity to any runner to submit an appeal within the five working (5) days. The Official results are announced about ten working (10) days after the race.
TV COVERAGE
The Athens Classic Marathon Race is transmitted live by SKAI TV.
PHOTO SERVICES
The world known Photo Agency MARATHON-PHOTOS is the Official Photo Services Agency of the 2010 Athens Classic Marathon. All participants may view their personal photos after the race in the relevant website www.marathon-photos.com.
