Spartathlon

The route is along the path originally run by Pheidippides from Athens to Sparta in 490 BC. According to the legend, Pheidippides, an Athenian messenger, was sent by his generals to Sparta in order to secure reinforcements for the depleted Athenian forces against the forthcoming Asiatic incursion. He then may have died, if he even existed at all. This event was started to see if it was possible to recreate Pheidippides’ feat. The story goes that Pheidippides arrived in Sparta on the “next day of his departure” from Athens, hence the tough 36-hour cut-off time.