The official closing date for race applications is the 31st of May. Your completed entry form and associated documentation must reach our offices by that date. You may view and download the required form from the
Entry Form page.The Spartathlon is an extremely tough and unique event and to help maintain the integrity of the race we have to impose certain pre-race qualifications. Full details of these requirements can be found on the Prerequisites page.
Please refer to the Spartathlon Route page.
Documentation is relatively simple and is mostly included within the Entry Form. This includes a declaration from your running club, doctors certificate, 2 passport photographs and your entry form. You should download and read the details shown on the Prerequisites page and complete the race application included on the Entry Form page.
The entry fee for Spartathlon race is EUR €150.00 and is payable to the International Spartathlon Association. Included within the entry fee is free accommodation from the Wednesday immediately before the race weekend up to the Monday immediately following the race (6 days). Meals are provided for the same period. For complete payment details you should view the Entry Form page.
Following the closing date of 31 May all remaining race applications will be reviewed and you should receive your confirmation by latest 15 July.
The International Spartathlon Association is a non-profit making cultural and athletics association, registered under public law in Athens. Its finances are derived from fees paid by members. Support in cash, supplies and services for the organisation of the race itself are provided by the sponsorship of Greek and foreign business concerns and private individuals. No prize money has ever been offered to runners throughout the history of the Association. International support of the race has been phenomenal and runners continue to return for the pure thrill and hospitality that is offered by race handlers, volunteers and the citizens of Greece itself.
Some information will be sent to you at the time we confirm that your application has been accepted and all other outstanding materials such as: room reservations, ID pass, race number and other information will be handed over when the runner officially registers for the race in Athens.
There is a waiver clause in the application form wording that exempts the International Spartathlon Association (ISA) from responsibility due to a runner's injury or loss of personal possessions. In these times it is normal for the typical tourist to take out travel insurance before leaning their home country, so it is logical for a runner to consider a similar package. Insurance arrangements can be made with most travel agencies, in most countries, and some offer special packages tailor made for athletic pursuits.
If you decide to drop out of the race or are eliminated for any reason you will be required to sign the appropriate declaration and hand in your race number to a race official. Spartathlon personnel are responsible for providing onwards transportation to your hotel in Sparta. If you need medical attention this will also be provided by the race organisation. Details on retirement or elimination can be found on the Rules and Regulations page.
All runners may receive assistance from an officially registered support team, but only at specially designated control points after Corinth, Pt. No. 22 at 81 km from Athens. The runner must declare his or her support vehicles during the registration procedures in Athens and these vehicles will be issued with a special permit. Details can be found on the Rules and Regulations page.
For up to date details of regulations please consult the Rules and Regulations page.
A range of activities will be organised during your stay in Greece and preliminary details of Race Week activities can be found on our Race Week activities page.
The SPARTATHLON Shop will be in operation during Race Week, selling souvenirs and other items including T Shirts. These facilities will be available at the athlete's hotel in Athens and the SPARTA INN Hotel in Sparta.
There are many exchange facilities located at Athens International Airport and close to your hotels in Glyfada and Sparta. Bank ATM's are plentiful and accept most main line credit and debit cards. You may also exchange foreign currency at the hotel. Traveller's cheques are accepted by most banking and tourist facilities in Greece.
The answer to this will depend on your own personal experiences, but we can say that many runners return again and again to experience both the uniqueness of the race and the warmth and hospitality that this country is so famous for. Along the route to Sparta you will be cheered by children in National Costume, offered flowers, treated as ambassadors, and once in Sparta, treated to an extravaganza of fireworks, music and food. See for yourself - Live Your Myth in Greece.
The best way to get the full picture of how the Spartathlon race is organised is to speak to people who have already experienced the event. In certain countries there is an officially appointed International Spartathlon Association office responsible for accepting race applications and giving out general race information. If you have any specific questions to ask you can send them to the addresses shown on the SPARTATHLON Contacts page.