Hello everyone
This is my first post here on the Runners Forum but I have enjoyed reading all of your posts! Recently I was faced with a dilemma that I am hoping one of you can help me with. I was reading some Herodotus one evening and came across the story of Pheidippides, the Grecian messenger that ran from Athens to Sparta in two days (covering nearly 240 kilometers) and who later ran from Marathon to Athens to proclaim the outnumbered Athenian's victory over the Persians. The latter of the two runs however proved fatal for poor Pheidippides and as he arrived in Athens he could only shout "Nenikékamen!" or "We are victorious!" before he collapsed dead from exhaustion. This is, apparently, where we get the name "Marathon" from. Maybe all of you already know this but I thought it interesting.
Well, the story sparked something in me... a desire to retrace Pheidippides' footsteps. Now, I am a realistic man and I know I may never be able to run from Athens to Sparta, but I know I can definitely run from Marathon to Athens
The trouble is, I can't find any reference material for such a journey. My friend has agreed to join me on this endeavor, but as I have never been outside the United States except for short stays in Dublin and Paris I am at quite a loss. Does anyone know anything about this? I know about the Spartathon that is held every year in Greece but I don't know if there is anything about Pheidippides last fateful run. Any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated
Happy holidays to you all!
