Battle of Marathon
Greece
9 hours
31 km
Leisure
Some hills, On-road
Guided
Supported
The town of Marathon in eastern Attica region is famous for two historic events.
The first, the Battle of Marathon, occurred in 490 BC when outmanned Athenian soldiers defeated the invading Persians, the super power of their day who had never been defeated in war. 6400 Perisans died and 192 Greeks. The second event occurred in 1896 when Europeans resurrected the Olympics Games and re-created the route Phidippides ran from the fields of Marathon to Athens to announce the victory over the Persians. The Europeans called this competitive race a “marathon.”
The tour starts off at the Marathon Dam which was built in 1931, the largest project in the Balkans at the time, and was the sole supplier of water to Athens until 1959. The dam makes an ideal spot for a photo shoot with its vast scenic stretch of nature and water. Next stop is the Marathon Runners Museum which has exhibits to fascinate even non-runners, such as, the posters from all past Olympic marathons and a document bearing Jesse Owens’ original signature.
At the Marathon Archaeology Museum you see the Ionic capital from the Nike trophy erected after the Battle of Marathon. The most cherished stop on the top is at the Marathon Tumulus where the 192 Greek soldiers who perished in the Battle of Marathon, are still buried. A stop at the actual battlefield is also on the bike route.
The Battle of Marathon tour is relatively easy because Marathon lies near at the coast and the roads are flat and rural. The only hill is downhill, a thrilling descent from the Marathon Dam to Marathon. If there is sufficient time, it is truly worthwhile to walk in the wetlands of nearby Schinias National Park. Schinias consists of six ecosystems with a pine forest, a lake, a bay and the ancient Makaria Spring.
On Monday the Runners Museum is closed. On Tuesdays the Archaeology Museum and Tumulus are closed.
Tour Information
From
Central Athens
To
Central Athens
Cost From
Guided Please Ask
Departure(s)
choose your date, except Tuesdays
Single Supplement
Minimum Age 12 - Minimum Pax 2 participants
Group Info
Lower rates for 3+ riders
Inclusions
Transfers to and from your central Athens hotel
Support vehicle: (“sag wagon”) with bilingual driver who is also a bike mechanic.
Tour Leader / Bike Guide
Bikes: Specialized Allez road bike or hybrid bike.
Bike gear: water bottle, helmet, handlebar pouch, odometer
Lunch at seaside taverna
Entry fees to all sites and museums
Water
Options
E-bike available as an upgrade
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