Registered for the Athens Marathon
By Julien on Thursday, May 5 2011, 10:04 - Plans - Permalink
I have just registered for the Athens Classic Marathon, to be held in November. Starting from the city of Marathonas and finishing in Athens, it is thought to follow roughly the original route run by Pheidippides to announce victory over Persia.
Not the easiest marathon course, as it is gently uphill between kilometers 10 and 30 (ie. half the race), with a few short and steep climbs to season the race. But definitely the most highly symbolic and historical modern marathon.
Reading a bit about the history, I discovered that the name "Marathon" apparently means "fennel" in Ancient Greek. It wouldn't be too surprising if I hadn't learnt a few months back that the town of Selinute in Sicily, which was a Greek colony, takes its name from "selinion", meaning "fennel". Any Ancient Greek specialist reading this?
Any one else up for it?
Ultra original marathon plan
Not the easiest marathon course, as it is gently uphill between kilometers 10 and 30 (ie. half the race), with a few short and steep climbs to season the race. But definitely the most highly symbolic and historical modern marathon.
Reading a bit about the history, I discovered that the name "Marathon" apparently means "fennel" in Ancient Greek. It wouldn't be too surprising if I hadn't learnt a few months back that the town of Selinute in Sicily, which was a Greek colony, takes its name from "selinion", meaning "fennel". Any Ancient Greek specialist reading this?
Any one else up for it?
Ultra original marathon plan
Comments
Yay, back to the sources!
Will you spend a few days in Greece for tourism?
Yes, interested? :)