MARATHON RUN

Hokitika Guardian, 1 May 1939, Page 8

MARATHON RUN

SIGNIFICANT INTERNATIONAL

EVEnT

. Greece plans tu hold ah international * running race from Marathon to Athens to honour the anniversary ot the gallant Athenian runner, Pheidippitles. 'lhe race is to be held in October. . Olympic aud European runners will be invited to compete, and Greece intends to hold the race evory two years. When in 1896 the Olympic games

were revived, the Marathon race was one of the most important single events on,the programme; Actually, there was no Marathon race in the early., Olympic, Games, bnt it caniijbe, traced, to those early daySi- V f.,|,r> ••}. >,;■ Way back in 490 8.C., Darius, the Mede, was'threatening *• ( ??:•

He had made himself master of Asia, ’ and Athens was the next largest town on :his' list 1 Unfortunately, tiie Atlien—iaris had no Mr Chamberlain, On the day of the famous battle of Marathon, called “One of the most decisive battles in history,” the brave General Miltiades assembled liis army of 10,000 men on the hills of Marathon. , ■

The Persian host had landed on the plain. . They far outnumbered the Athenian army, and Miltiades felt the need of Spartan aid. ;• ; , Pheidippides was a champion runner. He had won the state myrtlb wreath at the Olympic Games held every live years. ' ■. .

• He was, despatched immediately with a plea'for help. '■ ‘§slM . Sparfa lay some 120 miles the ; Gallant Pheidippides reache|[|p|s; destination,iij_4g. hours., The Spartans were slightly distrustful of the Athenians, but promised to send" help at the first, full. moon. •■Stones of Pheidippides differ slightly buE one, tale is told of his race to Sparta. ; y,. -• He fancied be heard the god Pan call to. him from the foot of Mount Parthenium and promise to help his people if they would honor liis cult. P’heidippides’ story was believed and a sancturv for the goat-footed Arcadian god was made from a cave under the- Acropolis; - •'•Tile Persian's were quite confident of Victory over so small an army, but the Athenians attacked with such vigor and fierceness that’ their (confidence was shaken. The battle Waged fiercely all day, and finally the Persians were driven back quite Overcome. Rack in the city of Athens, the womeii and those unable to; join in the battle waited in fear and trembliifg for the safety of their city. 1 - Pheidippides had been fighting all day Uke an ordinary soldier, enduring the same heat aud hardships. Miltia-J des again sent for him to take the news of; victory to his people. He immedi-

ately threw down his shield and armor J aud began the race that cost him liis ; liJe and made him famous. I The distance was about 18 leagues’ to tiie city. Pheidippides ran with great speed, his lips were bleeding, and his breath came in painful staos. His feet, were bruised and torn,/ bui ■ this meant nothing to tlm “desperate runner with tiie exalted mind”' Straining his limbs to bring news of, victory to liis anxious people. Arriving atthe city lie gasped; “Rejoice, we conquer i“ and fell dead. The Marathon race is held at the Olympic Games in commemoration 01, the gallant Athenian soldier. ", It is run over tjie approximate distance taken by Rheidippidesi ‘ The first race, held at the revival of the Games in 1896, was also won.by a Greek. . Spiridon . Louis, a shepherd, heard 61 the race,] from athletes wandering on >thc hills. He was a tireless distance runner. Hearing of the race, he decided it was , his sacred duty to uphold the tradition of big, couiitry. : For two nights before-the race he. prayed steadily before holy pictures, and lie fasted the-whole day before tiltrace.

However, lie finished an easy first, against 25 starters. His./time . was Shours 55mnv. 20 secs. The last race held at the 1936 Games, was won by the wiry little Papanese runner, Kitei Soli. His time was 2hrs. 29 min. 19.25ec., which'Created a'new world record, for the Marathon raco.