The 32rd Athens Marathon, the Authentic inaugurated its entering the last phase of its staging about one month before the event, with a Press Conference given by SEGAS in the presence of the state partners and Grand Sponsor, OPAP SA, of the event.

The 2014 Athens Marathon on 09 November is expected to completely change the city, to open new prospects for its future and welcome 35,000 runners from all over the world.

Host city Athens will be in the international spotlight for the marathon’s 4-days of activities that will start on November 6 and end on November 9 with the 42,195-meter Marathon Race.

According to SEGAS, about 35,000 runners will run in the streets of Athens participating in the 5K and 10K road races, power walking event, kids race, Special Olympics race and Marathon Race.

“The 35,000 runners that have registered this year in all competitions, not only make this the largest sporting event in Greece, but also one of the largest in Europe,” the president of SEGAS, Kostas Panagopoulos, said.

About 13,000 runs have already registered to participate the 42,195-meter Marathon Race, out of which 5,000 are from abroad and 8,000 are Greek, while participation of foreign runners this year increased by 35% compared to 2013.

“The Athens Marathon is a global celebration of culture and sport. A major reason for smiles in the city center… It makes Athens the heart of a tourism wave,” the president of SEGAS added.

On her part, Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni referred to marathon’s key role in the city’s tourism image and its contribution to the economy.

“The Marathon attracts international interest and is inevitably linked with culture, sports and tourism. It has become a tradition and an opportunity for someone to come to our country,” the tourism minister said.