Athens introduces virtual race medal

That first medal was signed by Alekos Fasianos, the world famous Greek artist who depicted the Battle of Marathon (490 BC) on the back side of the medal. One of the eight letters of the word “MARATHON” is highlighted on the medal each year, so that the entire word is formed by the end of this series.

The medal of the 2020 Athens Marathon was to have been dedicated to the “Imerodromos”, the soldier that carried the message of victory from the battlefield to Athens, and it would have been the offering of another world-renowned Greek artist, Kostas Varotsos.

Due to the covid-19 pandemic the 2020 Athens Marathon has been replaced by a virtual event being held from 8–22 November.

Those participating in the 2020 Virtual Athens Marathon will receive a different medal exclusively produced for this virtual event, so that the second medal of the historical medal series will be received by participants in the 2021 event.