Please press here to download the poster of the 2012 Spartathlon Race.

Dear Mr. Tsiakiris,

I like to thank all of you for the typical Greek warm hospitality at the occasion of the 29th Spartathlon race. Every time I’m coming to Greece, it feels like coming home and each time I’m flying back to Belgium I’m feeling a little bit sad....

Having taken part in several races and also having made running a part of my daily life, I know intimately the difficulties and emotional experiences provided by “the road”, everything from introspection to the challenge for qualification, from simple selfless joy to the ultimate effort against time and against the natural obstacles posed by an ultra-long distance.
However, I could never have imagined the uplift that I would experience before I found myself on the Spartathlon course and there are really no words to describe the exaltation I felt when I finished in Sparta...

Author: Mimi Anderson
http://marvellousmimi.com

On the 28th September I headed out to Greece along with my husband to take part in the 29th running of the Spartathlon.

 In 2004 I met John Foden who came up with the idea for this race, he said I should give it a go, I remember telling him that I wasn't nearly fast enough to ever take part in such a tough event.

 For those of you who have never heard of the Spartathlon let me fill you in (hope you are sitting down!) This is a 245km (153 mile) non-stop race from Athens to Sparta (with a mountain after 160km) the first 81 km has to be done in 9.30 hours and each checkpoint has its own cut-offs, which are strictly adhered to. If you arrive outside these times you are taken off the course. No music is allowed and runners must complete the race in less than 36 hours. The drop out rate is approximately 60% - now you can see why I have never entered this race.... until now! 

Source: thatsgreece.com

 The 29th Spartathlon Race was completed on October 1. Starting at the foot of the Acropolis, the participating athletes raced the 246 km of the route to arrive in Sparta, after having completed what is described as the world’s most challenging race, due to distance, cut-off time requirements (36 hours) and extreme ground and weather conditions.

More than 250 athletes from over 39 countries participated in this year’s event. At most, one third of the racers make it to the finish line, to be awarded the humble but precious olive branch wreath.

Source: Novasports

The working mother and runner Sophia Kasimi will participate in the “Spartathlon” race with the Parents’ Society of Children with Neoplastic Disease, “Floga” (Flame). On the subject of her participation, Mrs.Kasimi stated :

“My participation in the Spartathlon is a personal effort to test the extent of my abilities. At the same time, I draw attention to the children and families of “Floga”. Through my work, at the swimming pool, I have come in contact with children suffering from cancer. This has brought me close to them and I decided to help them in any way I can.”