Monday, September 4, 2017

Odds and ends


Karnazes became increasingly interested in his own Hellenic heritage as he researched the feats of one Pheidippides, the messenger who, some 2,500 years ago, ran from Athens to Sparta to enlist aid in repelling the invading Persians.

He then ran back to the field of Marathon — where the name comes from — where battle took place.

He finally scarpered back to Athens to announce the Greek victory: ‘a single inspired athletic endeavour’ of 153 miles of continuous running.

Pheidippides then dropped dead of exhaustion at the Acropolis.

Pheidippides was the original Marathon Man, and Karnazes sees himself as a kind of reincarnation. ‘I was Greek and running was something that brought with it great pride. I saw no higher calling.’





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