Marathon, Greece

Marathon
Μαραθώνας
The town of Marathon
The town of Marathon
Marathon is located in Greece
Marathon
Marathon
Location within the region
Coordinates: 38°9′N 23°57′E / 38.150°N 23.950°E / 38.150; 23.950
CountryGreece
Administrative regionAttica
Regional unitEast Attica
Government
 • MayorStergios Tsirkas[1] (since 2019)
Area
 • Municipality
222.75 km2 (86.00 sq mi)
 • Municipal unit97.06 km2 (37.48 sq mi)
Elevation
33 m (108 ft)
Population
 (2021)[2]
 • Municipality
31,331
 • Density140/km2 (360/sq mi)
 • Municipal unit
10,063
 • Municipal unit density100/km2 (270/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
190 07
Area code(s)22940
Vehicle registrationZ
Websitewww.marathon.gr

Marathon (Demotic Greek: Μαραθώνας, Marathónas; Attic/Katharevousa: Μαραθών, Marathṓn) is a town in Greece and the site of the Battle of Marathon in 490 BCE, in which the heavily outnumbered Athenian army defeated the Persians. Legend has it that Pheidippides, a Greek herald at the battle, was sent running from Marathon to Athens to announce the victory, which is how the marathon running race was conceived in modern times.[n 1] Today it is part of East Attica regional unit, in the outskirts of Athens and a popular resort town and center of agriculture.

  1. ^ Municipality of Marathon, Municipal elections – October 2023, Ministry of Interior
  2. ^ "Αποτελέσματα Απογραφής Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2021, Μόνιμος Πληθυσμός κατά οικισμό" [Results of the 2021 Population - Housing Census, Permanent population by settlement] (in Greek). Hellenic Statistical Authority. 29 March 2024.


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