Pablo Picasso Group of dancers. Olga Kokhlova is lying in the foreground 1919
Just when I’m thinking I must do another State of TAE post, because that state is deplorable, at least financially, I get a message that I must make an urgent call for the following topic. And yes, I did agree, just didn’t know it had to be now.
But I love the matter, and I love the Monastiraki Social Kitchen that’s pushing it- that I and my TAE readers have been supporting for over 9 years(!) now. Thank you so much all of you! The kitchen is strong, and all your donations are effectively feeding people. What an unbelievable and unique success it is. An operation like that, based fully on volunteers and private donations for all that time, must be special.
Many of you will know the story behind the marathon. How someone ran the 42.195 km 2500 years ago from Marathon to Athens to spread the news of victory. But the story is much more elaborate than that simple feat. And the Monastiraki Social Kitchen crew, especially Filothei, are geared up to make that known.
The original Athens-Sparta and return run was some 490 km. And yes, there are people who want to copy that. About 100 so far this year. And you can add yourself.
Me myself and I right now, I have a condition called Plantar Fasciitis, and I can’t walk, let alone run, much more than 100 meters, let alone kilometres. The irony of course is not lost on us.
Here’s Filothei’s press release:
Pheidippides (Greek: Φειδιππίδης, Ancient Greek pronunciation: [pʰeː.dip.pí.dɛːs] is the central figure in the story that inspired three modern sporting events, the marathon race , the Spartathlon and Authentic Pheidippides Run Athens-Sparta-Athens 490km Pheidippides is said to have run from Marathon to Athens to deliver news of the victory of the battle of Marathon.
The traditional story relates that Pheidippides (530–490 BC), an Athenian herald, or hemerodrome[3] (translated as “day-runner”,[4] “courier”,[5][6] “professional-running courier”[3] or “day-long runner”[7]), was sent to Sparta to request help when the Persians landed at Marathon, Greece. He ran about 240 km (150 mi) in two days, and then ran back. He then ran the 40 km (25 mi) to the battlefield near Marathon and back to Athens to announce the Greek victory over Persia in the Battle of Marathon (490 BC) with the word νικῶμεν (nikomen[8] “We win!”), as stated by Lucian chairete, nikomen (“hail, we are the winners”)
The significance of this story is to be understood in the light of the legend that the god Pan returned the favor by fighting with the Athenian troops and against the Persians at Marathon. This was important because Pan, in addition to his other powers, had the capacity to instill an irrational, blind fear that paralyzed the mind and suspended all sense of judgment – panic.
History would have been very different if this battle had been lost. Greece, Europe and the whole world would be very different.
The feat of the explorer Pheidippides went down in history and his vision came true.
In honor of Pheidippides, the Authentic Pheidippides Run one of the most extreme and demanding race in the world, on an open road. 490 km
The Athletic and Cultural Club Authentic Pheidippides Run is in the position to announce the “8th Authentic Pheidippides Run” ATHENS-SPARTA-ATHENS 490 km 21-25/11/2024, under the auspices and support of the Regional Government of Attica, under the auspices of the Hellenic Republic Ministry of Tourism, the GREEK NATIONAL TOURISM ORGANISATION, the Hellenic Police and Supported by the Athletic Organization of Athens Municipality.
The organizing committee of the 8th Authentic Pheidippides Run Athens-Sparta-Athens 490 km, is pleased to announce its commitment on creating a sustainable sports event, which incorporates the three principles of Fair Play, the historical route of Pheidippides and the environmental policy and management required to create a sustainable event. The Athletic Cultural Club “Authentic Pheidippides Run” is committed to implementing a program that uses the natural resources required for the event in a sustainable manner, reduces any negative environmental impacts caused by the event and manages the waste created during the course of the event. 80 catering tables for meat eaters and vegans. 300 volunteers, doctors, nurses and rescuer
DURATION
98 hrs (start and finish line in the area of Ancient Athens Market)
Starting NOVEMBER 21, 2024 at 06:00 a.m.
Last Participant’s finish NOVEMBER 25, 2024 at 08:00 a.m.
ROUTE
The route will follow the ancient road from Athens to Elefsina, Megara, Ancient Corinth and then to Ag. Vassileios and Ancient Kleones, to reach Ancient Nemea. Then the course will follow the way to Malandreni, Lyrkeia and Karya, will climb to Artemisio Mountain at 1.227m and then will go to Nestani. It will pass through Tegea to enter the Tripolis-Sparta road and get to the statue of Leonidas in Sparta Stadium.
This will ensure the most faithful route taken by the ancient Pheidippides.
The way back will follow the same course. Total route: 490 km.
80 CHECK POINTS-MAIN SUPPLY STATIONS
ANCIENT AGORA – SPARTA (245,6 KM / 42 HR):
• ANCIENT MARKET – MEGARA (39,8 km) 05:30 hours (only check point)
• KAPI KINETAS (54,9 km) Main supply station – rest point
• MEGARA – EXAMILIA (46,6 km) 07:00 hours
• EXAMILIA – ANCIENT NEMEA (32,5 km) 5:15 hours
• ANCIENT NEMEA – NESTANI (51,0 km) 10:45 hours
• NESTANI – TEGEA (24,0 km) 03:45 hours
• TEGEA – SPARTA (51,7 km) 09:45 hours
SPARTA- ANCIENT AGORA (244,4 KM / 56 HR):
• SPARTA- TEGEA (50,5 km) 15:15 hours
• TEGEA – NESTANI (24,0 km) 04:45 hours
• NESTANI- ANCIENT NEMEA (51,0 km) 11:45 hours
• ANCIENT NEMEA- EXAMILIA (32,5 km) 07:00 hours
• EXAMILIA – MEGARA (46,6 km) 9:30 hours (only check point)
• KAPI KINETAS (435,1 km) Main supply station – rest point
• MEGARA- ANCIENT AGORA (39,8 km) 7:45 hours
Dear Raúl ,
Thank you and yours automaticearthcom to be ours foreign press sponsor. We will support the site before, during and after the completion of the race. We would like to have yours logo, to put it in our supporters. At your disposal for any information
It is an honor for the board of directors of the non-profit, sports, cultural club AUTHENTIKOS PHEIDIPPIDES RUN.
The president
SKITZI MARIA FILOTHEI
