Athens announces five days of traffic restrictions for 43rd marathon
Athens will introduce extensive traffic restrictions from Thursday, November 5, until Monday, November 9, ahead of the 43rd Athens Marathon, the Authentic, and a series of accompanying races scheduled for November 7 and 8.
The measures, announced by the Attica Traffic Police, will include temporary road closures and restrictions on stopping and parking across large sections of the road network. Certain restrictions will also prohibit bicycles and electric scooters.
The measures will be introduced gradually along the marathon route and surrounding areas, affecting the municipalities of Marathon, Rafina-Pikermi, Pallini-Gerakas, Paiania-Glyka Nera, Agia Paraskevi, Papagou-Cholargos, Chalandri, Filothei-Psychiko and Athens.
Police have urged motorists to avoid affected roads and parking areas, follow instructions from traffic officers and plan their journeys in advance to minimise congestion.
Saturday races begin at Syntagma Square
The weekend programme begins on Saturday, November 7, with children's and Special Olympics races, followed by two consecutive 5km events.
The 1,200-metre races for children and people with disabilities will take place between 16:00 and 16:55, following a route along Vasilissis Sofias Avenue and Irodou Attikou Street, with the finish at the Panathenaic Stadium.
The two 5km races, the 5km Road Race and the 5km Universities Night Run, will run from 17:00 to 21:10.
Both will start on Vasilissis Amalias Avenue, near Syntagma Square, and finish at the Panathenaic Stadium.
The route will pass through Panepistimiou, Riga Feraiou and Akadimias streets, before continuing along Vasilissis Sofias Avenue and Irodou Attikou Street towards the stadium.
Main marathon scheduled for Sunday
The 43rd Athens Marathon, the Authentic, will take place on Sunday, November 8, between 08:30 and 18:15.
The race will begin in Marathon and follow the historic route through Marathonos Avenue, the Marathon Tomb, the Stavros interchange and Mesogeion Avenue.
Runners will continue through Michalakopoulou and Feidippidou streets before reaching Kifisias and Alexandras avenues, Vasilissis Sofias Avenue and Irodou Attikou Street.
The finish will be at the Panathenaic Stadium.
A separate 10km Road Race will also take place on Sunday between 08:00 and 10:10, starting at Syntagma Square and finishing at the Panathenaic Stadium.
Its route will pass through central Athens, including Panepistimiou, Charilaou Trikoupi and Akadimias streets, before continuing along Vasilissis Sofias, Feidippidou and Mesogeion avenues.
Police issue warning to motorists
With thousands of runners and spectators expected to take part in the weekend events, authorities anticipate significant traffic disruption across central Athens and along the marathon route.
The Traffic Police has called on drivers to avoid unnecessary journeys through affected areas and comply with temporary traffic arrangements.
Further information about the restrictions will be available through the Marathon Operations Centre on Saturday, November 7, from 15:00 to 23:00, and Sunday, November 8, from 06:00 to 20:00.
The public can contact the centre at the following numbers:
210 8708 237
210 8708 238
210 8708 239
The restrictions will remain in force until Monday, November 9, with their implementation and withdrawal taking place gradually.
Source:AMNA
