Spartathlon

Athens, Greece
30 Sep, 2023 (Sat)
Event size: 100 - 999 participants

Running

245.3 km

About the event

It is based on Herodotus’ description of the Athenian ‘Imerodromou’ or messenger who arrived in Sparta the day after he departed from Athens and also on well known historical events of that time. It has, therefore, been considered the nearest route to that which Pheidippides must have followed.

Briefly, Miltiades’ messenger started out of Athens on the ancient Iera Odos, or “sacred road,” up to Elefsis. From there he followed Skyronia Odos, a military road on the slopes of the Gerania mountains, and traveled through Isthmia, Examilia and Ancient Corinth. He went on to Ancient Nemea, thus avoiding the Epicratea of Argos, as it wasn’t in alliance with Athens, and he continued along the mountains between Argolida and Arcadia. He climbed the Parthenio mountain (1200 meters), where he encountered the God Pan. Descending the mountain, he continued in the direction of historical Tegea, one of the locations mentioned by Herodotus in his account about Pheidippides. He proceeded south toward Sparta. Upon his arrival in Sparta, he completed 1140 “stadia,” which equaled 246 kilometers.

Races offered by this event

You have 16 weeks to prepare

Spartathlon

30 Sep, 2023 (Sat)
Running
245.3 km
Race size: 100 - 249 participants
View course map
Solo
On site
Mixed

Course details

Course highlights

The Spartathlon runs over roads, rough tracks and muddy paths, crosses vineyards and olive groves, climbs steep hillsides and, most challenging of all, takes the runners on the 4,000-foot ascent and descent of Mount Parthenio during the night. After the descent it barely gets easier for the runners as they follow around 50 miles of roads that winds up and down hills before descending into Sparta.

Start address

Athens,gr

Finish address

Athens,gr

Route map

route map