Spartathlon — Run Time

Spartathlon Countdown

170

Days

04

Hrs

12

Min

20

Sec

Next Race

September 26, 2026

171

days to go

Spartathlon is an annual 246km ultramarathon held each September, retracing the legendary route of the Athenian messenger Pheidippides from Athens to Sparta. Established in 1983, the course passes through 75 checkpoints with strict time cutoffs along roads, mountain trails, and footpaths, including a night crossing of Mount Parthenio at 1,200 meters. The field is capped at 400 runners from over 55 countries, with a 36-hour time limit.

ITRA 6 Endurance Points

Est.

1983

Distance

246km / 153mi

Course

Point-to-point

Surface

Mixed Trail/Road

Elev. Gain

2500m

Field Size

~400

When

September

Time Limit

36h

THE COURSE

Gain

+2500m

MI 0

KM 0

Acropolis Start

The race begins at the foot of the Acropolis in Athens, near the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. Runners depart at 7:00 AM and follow the ancient Sacred Way (Iera Odos) out of the city.

MI 49

KM 79

Corinth Canal Crossing

At 78.5 km, runners cross the iconic Corinth Canal bridge, roughly one-third of the way through the race. The route passes through Megara (marathon distance at 42.5 km) before reaching the canal.

MI 53

KM 86

Temple of Apollo at Ancient Corinth

Runners descend through the center of Ancient Corinth and turn at the Temple of Apollo around the 86 km mark. The route then continues through citrus orchards toward the mountain stages.

MI 93

KM 150

Sangas Pass (Mount Parthenio)

The race's most grueling section climbs 960 meters over 13 km to the summit of Sangas Pass at 1,100 m elevation on the flanks of the Artemision range. A steep zigzag descent leads to the village of Sangas at 164.3 km.

MI 121

KM 195

Tegea Checkpoint

At 195 km, runners pass through the flat farmland around Tegea, often shrouded in early-morning mist. This ancient city in the Arcadian plain marks the final 50 km push to Sparta.

MI 153

KM 246

Statue of King Leonidas in Sparta

The finish line at the statue of King Leonidas in Sparta completes the 246 km journey. Local schoolchildren accompany runners through the final stretch after crossing the Eurotas River bridge at 243.5 km.