Despite the acute economic crisis that has hit the debt-ridden country this year, Greece has invested 1.5 million euros (2.07 million U.S.dollars) to the organization of the event and expects similar revenues, said Athens Classic Marathon President Kostas Panagopoulos.

Approximately 10,200 people participated in last year's Athens Classic Marathon which cost Greece 900,000 euros (1,244 million U.S. dollars).

"The Marathon which is closely connected to the Greek sports tradition, sends two main messages to the world which are significant in this period; crossing human limits and sacrifice," stressed Greek General Secretary of Sports Panos Bitsaxis.

Adding that the Classic Marathon is a major tourism event for Greece as well, Greek National Tourism Organization (EOT) Nikos Kanellopoulos said that for 90 percent of foreign participants the Marathon is an opportunity to visit Greece.

Kanellopoulos also revealed that despite the current financial problems EOT plans to invest 3, 8 million euros (5.25 million U.S.dollars) to the construction of a theatre at the start of the race in Marathon.

The Greek organizers pay attention to also promoting the idea of Green Marathon. The 250,000 bottles of water distributed to runners on October 31 will be recycled.

On October 28 Athens hosts the Congress of the International Association of Marathon and Long Distance Runners setting the agenda for a Green Marathon Movement.

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