Spartathlon in Sparta

SPARTATHLON IN SPARTA

Spartathlon is an annual international Ultra Marathon race of 245.3km, which takes place in Greece
since 1983 on the route of Athens-Sparta. The Spartathlon revives the steps of Pheidippides, an ancient Athenian long distance runner, who in 490 BC, before the battle of Marathon, was sent to Sparta to ask for help in the war between the Greeks and the Persians.

Spartathlon is described as the world’s most demanding race, as the athletes run over rough tracks and muddy paths, cross vineyards and olive groves, climb steep hillsides and ascent and descent the Mountain Parthenio in an altitude of 1.200 meters. 

The race starts at 7 am, usually on the last Friday of September, at the foot of the Acropolis with end point the statue of Leonidas in the city of Sparta.