Watch the LIVE Technical Briefing for athletes on September 25, 2026, at 5:15 PM (Greek time)
Study carefully the Race Rules. You can find them on the official “SPARTATHLON” website: PARTICIPATION – Race Regulations.
Also be informed by the race program
BEFORE THE RACE
Thursday 24 – Friday 25 Sept. OASIS Hotel: Athlete and crew registration.
The delivery of race bags and athlete numbers (BIB) will be made only to the athlete himself/herself and not to any representative.
Thursday 24 September at 18:30:
The 1st SPARTATHLON FILOXENIA, together with Ena Athletics and in collaboration with OUTRUN, invites you to a special get-together as part of SPARTATHLON FILOXENIA.
We will meet at Vergoti Square in Glyfada, by the sea, for a relaxed 6 km run, with no pressure and no timing.
A wonderful opportunity for runners, friends and members of the organising team to run together, get to know each other better and share the spirit of SPARTATHLON before the start of the great race. Find more information here
Friday 25 Sept.: A Technical Briefing will take place at the OASIS Hotel and will be broadcast live on the official SPARTATHLON YouTube channel, covering race preparations, activities and important points to be aware of during the race.
Friday 25 Sept.:
Delivery of drop bags in the official bags will take place from 11:00 to 16:45.
The Drop Bags (athlete supplies) will be transported by the organization to the following C/Ps: 4, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 27, 29, 32, 35, 38, 40, 43, 47, 48, 52, 57, 60, 65, 68, 71, 73, 74, 75.
LUGGAGE’S
You are allowed to SEND TO SPARTI only one bag or a small suitcase with your personal items and clothes necessary for your short stay there. You will find special stickers with your BIB number in your athlete΄s bag. Attach them to your luggage so that you can find it at your hotel in Sparta.
The rest of your luggage will be safely kept until you return to Glyfada-Athens. The RECEPTION of the hotel will show you where to leave your luggage.
Saturday 26th Sep.: Breakfast will be served between 05:15 and 05:45. Empty your room and make sure that nothing is left there. After breakfast deliver your luggage (do not forget the BIB number on it) just in front of the entrance of your hotel and get on your bus which will take you to the starting point (Acropolis). Your luggage will be collected by a Spartathlon lorry (van). Be on the bus at 05.45 in front of your hotel.
DURING THE RACE
Saturday 26 Sept.: Be at the start area on Dionysiou Areopagitou Street (near the Herodion Theatre) no later than 06:30 am.
During your stay at the starting area, athletes, supporters, and visitors must not approach within 10 meters of the electronic timing mats, which will be in place.
Photos from the race will be uploaded throughout the event on spartathlon.gr by the Sparta Photography Club team, who will follow the race.
The race will also be broadcast live (start & finish) through spartathlon.gr.
Updates will also be posted on the official SPARTATHLON Facebook and Instagram accounts.
DOPING CONTROL
Random doping control will take place at the finish line for both men and women.
IAU – INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ULTRARUNNERS
An official observer from IAU will be present during the race.
GPS TRACKING
You will receive a GPS Tracking device during registration in Glyfada. Activate it by pressing the ON/OFF button 15 minutes before the start and switch it off only after your finish or in case of withdrawal, by pressing the ON/OFF button again. Instructions will be provided by the GPS team during device handout.
Instruction videos:
Deactivation during the race is NOT permitted. Press the SOS button only in case of emergency.
GPS devices must be returned to an official of the organization at withdrawal or at the finish.
Since the devices are charged to the organization, in case of loss you are liable for compensation of €50.
RACE PROGRESS – RESULTS
For race progress and athlete splits, apart from GPS Tracking, you can follow updates on www.spartathlon.gr and the mobile application (iOS & Android).
There will be live splits from 18 checkpoints.
Electronic timing mats will be at:
Start, CP4, CP11, CP15, CP18, CP22, CP25, CP28, CP32, CP35, CP41, CP47, CP52, CP57, CP60, CP69, CP74, Finish.
ROUTE CHANGES – DEVIATIONS
There are 3 changes on route this year.
- CP19, previously located at the entrance to MOTOR OIL, has been relocated to the road below.
- CP22 has been relocated to the Isthmia Archaeological Museum, just before the entrance.
- CP41 has been moved 400 metres further along the route, to the former Sterna Primary School.
See details on the online course maps: SPGOOGLEMAP
IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR ATHLETES
ATTENTION – ARTICLE 12: Assistance from accredited support crew members is permitted EXCLUSIVELY at CPs 12, 22, 26, 29, 32, 35, 40, 43, 47, 52, 57, 60, 65, 68, 72 and 75.
At ALL other CPs and between CPs, any assistance from support crew members is STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
ONLY in an emergency you may receive essential supplies from your support crew, provided that these have been delivered to the checkpoint before your arrival. The checkpoint staff will arrange for the supplies to be handed over to you. Make sure your BIB number is clearly marked on them.
The planned or systematic delivery of supplies to checkpoints where assistance is not permitted is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. This procedure is allowed exclusively in genuine emergencies and must not be used as an alternative method of resupply.
- Do NOT forget headlamps (+extra batteries) and rear reflectors or lights for the night. Without them, you risk disqualification.
- Always wear your race number (BIB) visible front & back.
- Advertising on race clothing is strictly FORBIDDEN. Only your country name or sports club is allowed.
- Music devices are FORBIDDEN. You may carry your mobile phone for safety purposes.
- Trekking poles (batons) are FORBIDDEN.
- Running without clothing or half-naked is FORBIDDEN.
- At the finish, climbing onto the statue of King Leonidas is FORBIDDEN. The race officially ends by touching the feet of the statue.
Environmental Notice: No small plastic bottles will be provided. Use your personal bottles or cups available at the checkpoints and dispose of them in the bins provided. Do NOT throw them elsewhere.
Remember: Every checkpoint (C/P) is also a cut-off point. Closing times will be strictly enforced.
WEATHER CONDITIONS – IMPORTANT NOTE
Based on current forecasts for 26–27 September 2026, athletes should be prepared for:
Saturday, 26 September: Partly cloudy to cloudy conditions, with a chance of local showers along the course, particularly during the afternoon and evening. Temperatures will vary significantly along the route, reaching approximately 25–29°C in some lowland areas.Sunday, 27 September: Variable cloud cover, with a possibility of local showers. Temperatures in Sparta are expected to reach approximately 25–27°C.Recommendations: Runners should carry a lightweight waterproof jacket and additional clothing for the cooler nighttime hours, particularly in the mountainous sections. Extra caution is advised on potentially slippery surfaces.⚠️ Remember: Weather can change quickly, especially in hilly or mountainous areas.
SIGNAGE
Yellow SP arrows on the asphalt. Avoid white arrows (remnants of other races).
Additional signs: arrows on walls/trees, red-white tape, and chemical lights.
IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUPPORT CREWS
Assistance is permitted ONLY by accredited support crew members at the following Checkpoints (CPs): 12, 22, 26, 29, 32, 35, 40, 43, 47, 52, 57, 60, 65, 68, 72 and 75.
In accordance with Article 12 of the Race Rules, providing assistance at any other CP or between CPs is STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
IMPORTANT CLARIFICATION: At all other checkpoints and along the sections between them, support crew members are NOT permitted to provide ANY assistance to runners. In an emergency, only authorised race officials and accredited medical personnel may intervene if deemed necessary. This provision does NOT constitute an exception allowing assistance from support crew members.
ONLY in a genuine emergency may you leave essential supplies for your runner at a checkpoint where support crew assistance is not permitted. The supplies must be handed over to the checkpoint staff well before the runner’s arrival, and you must leave the area immediately. The checkpoint staff will arrange for the supplies to be delivered to the runner.
The planned or systematic delivery of supplies to these checkpoints is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. This procedure is permitted exclusively in genuine emergencies and must not be used as an alternative method of resupply.
Any member of the Race Jury may issue a yellow card (warning) for violations committed by either a runner or a support crew member. The yellow card is recorded against the runner, regardless of whether subsequent violations are the same or different. A second yellow card automatically results in the runner’s disqualification from the race.
Do not stop near checkpoints except at the above 16 that is allowed.
Driving alongside or near your athlete with any vehicle (bike, motorbike, car, etc.) or even on foot is strictly FORBIDDEN.
Between CP49 (Sagas) and CP52 (Nestani), since crew vehicles drive against race flow causing danger and blinding athletes, you must wait for your athlete at the Nestani village square.
No need to go to Sagas Village.
Trust volunteers and race marshals are there to take care of the athletes.
Dear runners & crews: Respect the race regulations. Otherwise, your athlete risks receiving a yellow or even red card.
AFTER THE RACE
Medical care for all athletes.
Shower and changing facilities at the Sparta municipal stadium (behind Leonidas statue).
Sunday 27 Sept. 21:00: Celebration organized by the Municipality of Sparta at the central square. Awards to top 3 men & women.
Monday 28 Sept. (morning): At Sparta indoor gym: retrieval of supplies left at checkpoints. Lunch hosted by the Mayor of Sparta.
Tuesday 29 Sept. 19:00: Awards ceremony, dinner, farewell party.
INFORMATION – CLARIFICATIONS
If you need more information or clarifications, contact the INFORMATION DESK at OASIS Hotel (Glyfada) during registration days.
For the International Spartathlon Association
President & Race Director
Vangelis Polimeris
Technical Director
Panagiotis Bonelis
Race Marshal
Doukas Tsiakiris
