Olympus Marathon 2026

The Olympus Marathon is a trail-running series held on Mount Olympus in Greece, centered in Litochoro, Pieria, with Dion also serving as a race location. Taking place at the end of June, it offers five adult race options: the 71 km Olympus UltraTrail, the 44 km Olympus Marathon, the 12.5 km Eagle's Ridge, the 5 km Melindra, and the 4.25 km Olympus Vertical. The terrain is notably steep, even for mountain races: the 71 km course involves 5,550 metres of climbing, the 44 km course has 3,350 metres of climbing, and the short Vertical route covers 1,024 metres of ascent in just 4.25 km. As a UTMB Index trail event, the series attracts dedicated mountain runners and those aiming for larger ultra-trail objectives. The primary event is the 44 km Olympus Marathon, which saw over 300 participants in its most recent running. However, the event's scope extends well beyond this distance. Eagle's Ridge, though short, presents a significant challenge with 450 metres of climbing and 1,210 metres of descent. Melindra provides a 5 km route with 180 metres of elevation gain for less experienced trail runners. The event also includes children's races: Olympus Mini for ages 6-7 over 600 metres, Olympus Kids for ages 8-9 over 800 metres, Olympus Juniors for ages 10-11 over 1,000 metres, and a 500-metre Special Race for children with special needs. This comprehensive program transforms the weekend into a local trail festival centered on Olympus, catering to participants from young children to seasoned ultra runners.