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Spartathlon, 2500th Anniversary of Battle of Marathon

Some 360 athletes, including 40 women, participated in the start of the Spartathlon this morning at the Acropolis in Athens. The event is a 246 km race that will end in Sparta in honour of the legendary feat performed by messenger Pheidippides, who reached the city-state in one day to ask for help in a battle against the Persians.
The Spartathlon made its debut in 1983 when former Royal Air Force official Ben Foden wanted to see if it was possible to cover the entire distance in one day. The event has become one of the most famous races in the world
Unfortunately, the past 3-times winner, Scot Jurek, of the U.S.A. has withdrawn having sent to the Association president the following message:
“Dear Chairman of the International SPARTATHLON Association,
I have to advise that, due to exhaustion, I do not feel I can fulfill the demands of the race. I wish you every success with the event and I hope I will have the opportunity to visit Greece and again run in the SPARTATHLON.”
Another signiciant absence will be that of Mary Larsen, who runs for Sweden, who has suffered a recent injury whilst preparing for the race and has failed to recover in time. We remind followers of the race that Mary achieved 4 “firsts” in 1984,1985,1989 and 1998 !
The prize awarded to every finisher is a “crown” of an olive branch and a drink of water from the river Evros.
Sparti has organised for the arrival of the “SPARTATHLETES” whilst the YOUTH & SPORTS Organisation of the Council has prepared a celebration to be held in the main square of the city on Saturday evening when the prizes will be presented to the winning athletes.
In 490 BC the Persians landed on the Coast of Attica to punish the courageous help of Athens in the revolt of the cities of Ionia. The victory under the leadership of Miltiades at Marathon forced them to retreat and guaranteed the success of classical civilisation, which played a decisive role in the Western World. Before the battle, General Miltiades sent Pheidippides to Sparta and the feat was described by the historian Herodotus. The historian, however, did not record his next exploit, which is more legendary, although physically less difficult, when the messenger ran to Athens (42km) after the battle to give news of the victory over the Persians. Fatigued by the run after having taken part in the battle, the messenger’s heart succumbed to the stress and he died. This second feat, which vanished into legend, is commemorated each year with the traditional Marathon from the victorious city to Athens in October.

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