Athens The Runner

Location: Hilton Area

The Runner (also known as Dromeas) is an astonishing sculpture in the center of the capital that reaches a height of up to eight meters! This imposing creation is one of the most important works of art after the military Junta and Greece’s political changeover, as well as a true staple of Athens! It is an avant-garde art piece made out of glass and iron, showcasing a running human in perpetual, unending motion due to its blurred and mildly confusing shape.

Designed in the late 80s by the sculptor Costas Varotsos, the impressive sculpture was first put on the (then green-filled) square of Omonia in 1988 after the prompt of vice mayor of Athens and revered composer Stavros Xarhakos, in the context of the Dromena art exhibition. However, the popularity of The Runner (then known as Xenos, i.e. stranger) caused it to remain at the square long after the exhibition was finished. After a brief, six-year stint in Omonia Square, some early signs of wear, along with the upcoming underground works regarding the Athenian Metro, the sculpture was removed, reconstructed, and reinstalled in 1994, this time at the Megalis tou Genous Sholi Square, right across the National Gallery. Nowadays, The Runner fittingly accompanies marathon runners right before the last kilometer of the annual marathon run of Athens!

A polarizing work of art, The Runner has received mixed reviews throughout the years, with its opposers bringing up arguments about bad aesthetics. On the other hand, its hardcore supporters love it for its ultra-progressive, abstract shape, extensive use of unorthodox materials, and the essence of postmodernism it provides to the ever-so-industrialized city of Athens, especially since the turn of the millennium!

Top Tours and activities

• Self-drive classic route

  Category: Other, Multi Days, City Breaks, City, Private, Ancient Sites, Shore Excursions

  Explore Greece by car on this self-drive classic route. Give your self the change to see the capital of Greece, Athens, and the most important archaeological sites of the country at your own pace!

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How to get there

There are many ways to reach the Runner from any location in Athens.

Private transfers: We recommend using an online pre-booked transfer service, which provides transfer by taxi, minibus, or private VIP car and arranging a pickup directly from the port, airport, or your hotel. Alternatively, there’s the option of arranging a pickup by a local driver directly at the following numbers: (0030) 18288, (0030) 18222, (0030) 18180. You can also book your taxi online.

Car rental: There is the option of renting a car and picking it up directly from the airport, port, or your hotel. Using a rental car allows visitors to discover The Runner and many other places of interest in Athens at their own pace.

On foot: As The Runner is located in a central area of Athens, it can be easily reached on foot from Syntagma Square in approximately 20 minutes.

By metro: The closest metro station is Evangelismos (Blue Line). Note that in order to reach ABC from the metro, a 3-minute walk is needed. Get a map of the metro here.

By bus/trolleybus: The closest bus stop is "Pinakothiki". Check the routes and the official timetables on OASA Telematics.