The Olympus Marathon takes place on the last Saturday of June with the race beginning at sunrise among the ruins of Ancient Dion and ending in Litochoro. Cronwell Platamon Resort is located on the coast about a 30-minute drive from each. It is a convenient beachfront spot for the whole weekend, offering quiet rooms for a good night's rest before the race and a private beach, pools, spa, and all-inclusive meals for gentle recovery after. For the 2027 schedule, visit olympus-marathon.com, and book your stay directly at platamon.cronwell.gr.
The Olympus Marathon is one of Europe’s classic mountain races, taking runners up Mount Olympus. According to the organisers, it is held every year on the last Saturday of June. In 2027, that date is 26 June. The main 44-kilometre race starts at the archaeological site of Dion at sunrise (around 06:05) and finishes in Litochoro.
The weekend usually spans several days and distances, from the flagship marathon and the punishing 71-kilometre ultra run to short trail and family races. Confirm the exact 2027 timetable, distances, and entry rules on the official site, as details change each year.
| Olympus Marathon | 44 km | Dion, sunrise | The main race; roughly +3,350 m, 12-hour limit |
| Olympus Ultra | 71 km | Dion, night start | The toughest route on the mountain |
| Olympus Vertical | 4.25 km | Prionia | A steep, pure climb |
| Eagle’s Ridge | 12.5 km | — | A shorter trail race |
| Melindra | 5 km | — | The short, accessible option |
The main race begins close to sea level among the marble ruins of ancient Dion. From there, runners climb steadily to nearly 2,800 metres near the highest peaks of Olympus, then descend all the way to Litochoro. The course is beautiful, yet incredibly tough. Most of the elevation is gained early on, and the long descent can leave your legs feeling tired by the finish.
This challenging course makes it important to rest well before the race and recover at your own pace afterwards. You will want a good night's sleep before the early start, and a relaxing place to recover when you finish. Staying on the coast between the start and finish is ideal for all your needs.
The resort is located on the beach close to the start and finish lines, about a 30-minute drive from Dion and a similar distance from Litochoro. This resort's location is the perfect place for a race weekend.
You’ll want a calm, quiet room the night before your early alarm, and somewhere for your family to be comfortable and entertained while you are out on the mountain for hours. After the race, you’ll want to relax by the sea and enjoy a big breakfast, before resting and recovering. Cronwell Platamon Resort can provide all of this.
Arriving a night or two ahead lets you settle, shake off travel fatigue and get your legs under you before race day.
Dinner is served as an all-inclusive buffet at the Herbarium restaurant, so you can eat what you need before the race. The short drive to the Dion start means you do not have to set your alarm much earlier than necessary. When you check in, ask the front desk about the earliest breakfast or a grab-and-go option for race morning.
Runners should be at the Dion start by about 05:45 for the 06:05 start. If you are staying on the coast, you will need to leave the resort well before dawn. Plan your alarm for a drive of about 30 minutes, and check your race information for the exact schedule.
The organisers usually provide athlete buses between Litochoro and the Dion start, which is helpful if you do not want to leave your car at either end. If you plan to drive to Dion and finish in Litochoro, arrange your return to the coast before race day.
This is the part that makes booking Cronwell Platamon Resort worthwhile. After a long descent from Olympus, you can head straight back to the coast, take a dip in the Aegean, and enjoy a hearty meal. The private beach is just steps from the gardens, the pools are available when you want a change from the sea, and the spa offers a thermal area with a sauna, hammam, and laconium to help ease tired legs and sore muscles when you are ready for some heat.
With all-inclusive service, food and drinks are always available, so you can relax after the race with zero effort. Recover in whatever way works best for you; the resort makes it easy to rest and do nothing. When you book, ask about the possibility of a late checkout on race day, so you do not have to pack up while still tired.
Not everyone in your group will be running. While the runner is taking part in the marathon, the rest of the family can enjoy a relaxing day with the Splash Park, the beach, and the Kids Club. If they want, they can also visit the Litochoro finish line to cheer you on.
Staying at Cronwell Platamon Resort, means you don’t have to worry about your family over the weekend. Check the current race information for exact finish-area timings and the best spectator points along the route.
Race weekend is naturally a multi-night trip. A night or two to arrive and rest, the race itself, and at least one night to recover before travelling home. The resort’s family rooms, suites and villas cover solo runners and whole families. You’ll find booking direct usually gives you the best rate.
It is run on the last Saturday of June, 26 June 2027, with the main 44 km race starting at Dion around sunrise. Confirm the full 2027 timetable on the official site.
Cronwell Platamon Resort is on the coast roughly half an hour from the Dion start and a similar drive from the Litochoro finish. Confirm current drive times before race morning.
On site. There is a private beach, several pools, and a spa with sauna, hammam and laconium, plus all-inclusive meals so you do not have to go anywhere.
Ask at reception when you check in about the earliest breakfast service or a grab-and-go option; the main race starts around 06:05.
Yes, that is the point. The Splash Park, beach and Kids Club keep everyone happy while you are on the mountain.
It may be possible, ask when you book. A later checkout means you can rest before the drive home instead of packing on tired legs.
