The Athens Marathon will go ahead on the traditional route from the village of Marathon to the capital on November 11 without changes despite the devastating fires which took place on parts of the course in the summer.
In the weeks before the 36th edition of the “Athens Marathon. The Authentic” the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS) is launching a project inviting its Official Sponsors and Partners help revive the coastal areas of Attica devastated by wildfires in late July. While the name of the project is “Runners’ Forest“, the concept is for a “green revival“, buying and planting trees for just over four kilometres along the marathon course in the village of Mati, around 12 to 16 kilometres into the race. The overall death toll is estimated to be approximately 100 in what was one of the worst cases of fire devastation this century.
Runners taking part in this year’s “Athens Marathon. The Authentic” will also have their chance to promote awareness of this project. On race day, November 11, each participant will be given a green bandana or headband to wear when they run through the burned-out areas around the village of Mati. The aim is to create a “Runners’ Forest” of a green revival in the aftermath of devastation.
It is also hoped that in winter and spring 2019, volunteers and local runners, given the agreement of state and local authorities, will join in planting trees bought by this fundraising in the affected area, thereby creating a permanent “Runners’ Forest”.
