Thessaloniki Events: Alexander the Great Marathon

Thessaloniki Events

19th Alexander the Great Marathon

The 19th edition of the Marathon will partake in the 6th of April 2025 and apart from the main marathon it features numerous parallel events as well as races of 10km,5km and 1000m for School students.

Origins of the Marathon

Many of you probably know that the origins of the word “Marathon” is greek while fewer may know that the name originates from the legend of Pheidippides, a Greek messenger who run the distance from Marathon to Athens (around 40km) without stopping and even discarding his weapons and clothes to announce that the Greeks won the battle against Persians in the battle of Marathon. Pheidippides exclaimed the historic “νενικήκαμεν” (meaning we have won), before collapsing and dying.

International Marathon "ALEXANDER THE GREAT"

Marathons are deeply connected to their ancient roots and so is the International Marathon “ALEXANDER THE GREAT”. The Marathon follows the route of Pella-Thessaloniki connecting the birthplace of the great commander Alexander the Great with the capital of modern Macedonia, Thessaloniki. The first edition of the Marathon started in 2006 and it is licensed by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and under the auspices of Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS), the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOF) and the Hellenic National Commission for Unesco.

halu! supports the vision of the Alexander the Great Marathon to highlight an important historic route as well as the promotion of a healthy lifestyle and the opportunity to experience the joy of participation.

We don't judge the slackers!

However if running is not your thing (we don’t judge!) but you still love the history, consider taking a tour to the majestic Vergina & Pella archaeological sites to experience on your own the two important cities of the Macedonian Kingdom.