Spartathlon is one of the most prestigious ultramarathons in the world. It is a race of about 246 km (153 miles), that takes place each September in Greece, running from Athens to Sparta on a highly significant route in world history. It attracts many of the greatest ultrarunners in the world.

This is part one of a series on the history of Spartathlon. In this episode, we will cover how Spartathlon was born, a story that has never been fully told until now. It was the brainchild of an officer in the Royal Air Force, John Foden.

This is Episode 88 of the Ultrarunning History Podcast. https://ultrarunninghistory.com/spartathlon-1/

Sources:

Interview with Nick Papageorge, Sep 17, 2021
Evening Standard (London, England), Aug 7, 1956
North Wales Weekly News (Denbighshire), Jun 2, 1977
Lynn Advertiser (King’s Lynn, England), Oct 27, 1981
Aberdeen Press and Journal (Scotland), Oct 13, 1982
The Guardian (London, England), Oct 11, 1982, Feb 4, 1983, Jun 24, 1994
Spartathlon Historical Information https://www.spartathlon.gr/en/the-spartathlon-race-en/historical-information-en.html
John Foden documentary – ULTRA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiMdvHJdnLo
In the Footsteps of Pheidippides – 1983 footage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cq8hjFq-UAM&t=1019s
Dean Karnazes, The Road to Sparta
From the Newsletter of Spartathlon Club of the British Isles 1998/1999
Australian War Memorial, James Clement Foden
Spartathlon 30 Years. The footsteps of a Legend https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ld1dpVveZxU
Peter Krenz, The Battle of Marathon (Yale Library of Military History)