SEGAS President Kostas Panagopoulos unveiled the plaque at the organisation's headquarters in the Greek capital. 

It took place to coincide with the opening of the registration process for the 2020 Athens Marathon.

"We considered this date as most suitable, especially after all the unprecedented changes we all had to face due to the pandemic," said Panagopoulos.

"We wanted to show everyone that life goes on and we can make plans, while at the same time taking all necessary measures."

Also in attendance was Athens Marathon Organising Committee President Vasileios Sevastis, event services manager Tota Golfinopoulou and Athens Municipal Organisation for Sports and Culture President Anna Rokofyllou.

The Athens Marathon, which has taken place since 1972, was awarded the Heritage Plaque in March 2019.

Dubbed "the authentic", the event is run on the original course from Marathon to Athens, with its roots stretching to 490BC.

Several marathons have been cancelled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the Athens Marathon has been cleared to take place on November 8.

Social distancing measures will be in place, with the event set to be split into two individual races of 5,000 runners each, the second race starting an hour after the first.

The pandemic has had a devastating impact on the 2020 road-running season.

Four events on the World Marathon Majors series - Boston, Chicago, New York City and Berlin - have been cancelled, while the Tokyo Marathon in March was significantly scaled back.

The London Marathon is scheduled to take place on October 4, although serious doubts remain over whether it will be held.