Listed 100 (total found 906) sub titles with search on: Sports events for destination: "MARATHON Ancient demos ATTICA, EAST".
History 1983 - 2000
The battle of Marathon in 490 B.C. , one of the most famous battles in world history,
constituted a landmark and a starting point in the history of civilization. The
triumph of the genius of Miltiades and the self-denial of his soldiers made the
hordes of Persians flee and rescued Athens and Hellenism from the utmost danger
of subjugation to the barbarian invaders. The effects of the victory at Marathon
continue to influence the present. It was the first victory against the planned
domination of "Asianization" over Europe and an event with momentous
significance. Because of this victory, Athens was able to achieve a great deal
and bequeath the benefits of its knowledge, arts and virtue to mankind.
Two and a half thousand years after that historical battle, a sports
event, inseparably related to it, was born in Greece.
Its Name was Spartathlon
It all started from Herodotus' account of the Battle of Marathon.
The great historian of antiquity described the details of the battle many years
later and mentioned the deeds of Pheidippides, an Athenian messenger, sent by
his generals to Sparta in order to secure help for the reinforcement of the scanty
Athenian forces against the forthcoming Asiatic incursion. According to Herodotus,
Pheidippides arrived in Sparta "on the next day of his departure" from
Athens.
An Epic Deed
Spartathlon is the event that brings this deed to attention today
by drawing a legend out of the depths of history.
The idea for its creation is belongs to John Foden, a British RAF
Wing Commander. As a lover of Greece and student of ancient Greek history, Foden
stopped his reading of Herodotus' narration regarding Pheidippides, puzzled and
wondering if a modern man could cover the distance from Athens to Sparta, i.e.
250 kms, within 36 hours. He thought that the only way to find out was to try
to run the historical course since he himself was a long-distance runner. Thus,
he and four other colleagues from the RAF came to Athens in the Autumn of 1982
and planned the run as closely as possible to Herodotus' description. On 8th October
they started their adventure to see whether their speculations could be verified.
On 9th October, the next day, John Foden arrived in Sparta in front
of the statue of Leonidas having run for 36 hours. His colleague, John Scholten,
had arrived half an hour earlier and finally, John Macarthry got to the finish
line in less than 40 hours.
The British team proved Herodotus was right! A man is really able
to cover 250 kms in two days.
When John Foden and his colleagues first arrived in Athens, they were
warmly welcomed and supported by members of the British community and Greek friends.
After the success of the first attempt, the pioneer of this event
began to envision the establishment of a foot race that would bring long distance
runners from all over the world to Greece for a race following in the tracks of
the ancient runner. The results are now widely known.
Undoubtedly the historical context of the race, closely connected
to the Olympic idea and consequently with compete unselfishness, appealed to the
imagination and caused unprecedented excitement amongst a great number of long
distance runners throughout the world. Their response was, justifiably, immediate
and catalytic.
The 1st International Spartathlon was organized in 1983 with the participation
of 45 runners from 11 countries as well as Greece.
The success and participation were decisive for the future and the development
of the race. Thus, in 1984, the "International Spartathlon Association"
(I.S.A.) was created.
Since then, the I.S.A. has organized the race every September as,
according to Herodotus' account, Pheidippides' mission to Sparta was made at that
time of the year. The revival of a page of ancient Greek history is established
now as one of the most famous sporting events world-wide. Great runners come to
Athens from Australia and Japan, Canada and the USA, including, of course, most
European countries. All of them are attracted to the uniqueness and difficulty
of the race as well as the modesty and respect of the athletic ideals imposed
by a race known as "mythic".
In addition, beyond its athletic aspect, Spartathlon has become a
powerful tribute from which real messages of friendship and peace can be sent
to the peoples of the earth without political or racial discrimination. A tribute
where Greece is also promoted, crowned by its unparalleled hospitality and natural
beauties. Thus hundreds of runners who have participated in Spartathlon carry
home their images and experiences from Greece, and are our best ambassadors abroad.
About the Race
Described as the world's most grueling race, the Spartathlon runs
over rough tracks and muddy paths (often it rains during the race), crosses vineyards
and olive groves, climbs steep hillsides and, most challenging of all, takes the
runners on the 1,200 meter ascent and descent of Mount Parthenio in the dead of
night. This is the mountain, covered with rocks and bushes, on which it is said
Pheidippides met the god Pan. In 2,500 years man has had no impact at all. There
is still no pathway over the mountain which is swept by strong winds with temperatures
as low as 4° C. The ascent is marked out by a trail of battery-driven colored
flashing lights and its challenge is a trial for human stamina and mental strength.
Over the mountain the last sections are no less energy
sapping and exhausting for the runners as they follow a road which winds up and
down hills before descending into Sparta. Even the finest athletes start hallucinating
as they cover these final stages. Having lost all sense of time and reality, they
are "on automatic" as they push their weary bodies on towards the finishing
line at the statue of Leonidas.
At most, only about a third of the runners who leave Athens end the
course in Sparta. The goal of all participants is to cover the course within the
36 hour time limit. Setting records is the primary aim. Those who succeed in reaching
Sparta have trouble finding words to describe their feelings.
Spartathlon has to be lived through. It is a very personal experience
in which the athletes dream about participating. Their imagination is stirred
by the idea of being a modern Pheidippides, running in the footsteps of the ancient
messenger. They train for years to get fit enough both physically and mentally
to meet the race?s demands.
The athletes' efforts are superhuman and their material reward only
an olive branch and a cup of water from the Evrotas River presented by young Spartan
girls. They all know the Spartathlon does not involve any prize money. Their reward
is the feeling of incredible inner satisfaction.
As Spartathlon was born in the cradle of the Olympic spirit, it deeply
honors this spirit and rejects the modern trend of turning the athletic ideal
into a business. This is why the Spartathlon is unique.
About the International Spartathlon Association.
The I.S.A. is a non-profit Association supported by the modest contributions
of its members and donations of mainly food and refreshments for the athletes
during the race. Preparations for the race go on all the year round and are likened
to those undertaken by a military expeditionary force.
The preparations involve assembling a large number of people with
vehicles of all types and sizes. Equipment and gear must be ready to adequately
set up 75 water holes along the race route as well as provide the means to carefully
monitor the athletes to secure their safety and be ready to cope with any emergency
that may occur. The route is also covered by numerous mobile medical units.
Crews manning the water holes are composed entirely of volunteers
who are prepared not only to spend a sleepless 36 hours the last weekend of each
September, but who also display a great deal of unselfishness to efficiently serve
the race. Indeed, the organization and the holding of the race require tremendous
effort on the part of the volunteers with their enormous responsibilities towards
the athletes who honor the event through their participation. During the race
all patrol vehicles register many kilometers in the usually hot daytime hours
and freezing nights while crews at the water holes spend endless hours in the
middle of no-where providing assistance for the weary runners.
Spartathlon is an event that links man with a myth springing from
ancient history. It is a strongly emotional event for all those who are involved
in it.
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