ATHENS Cheap Mario Gotze Jersey , Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- The 31st Spartathlon Ultra-Marathon, one of the toughest long distance races worldwide, started beneath the Acropolis hill in the center of Athens on Friday.


A total of 333 runners from 35 countries and regions are participating in the annual event, following the footsteps of ancient Greek messenger Pheidippides and showcasing the strength of human willpower.


In 490 BC Cheap Marco Reus Jersey , before the battle of Marathon against the Persians, the Athenian soldier who inspired the Classic Marathon with his feat was sent to Sparta to request help. Since 1983 each September modern heroes from across the world are gathering to revive his epic deed, running the 246 kilometers distance to southern Peloponnese peninsula non-stop.


The goal is to reach the statue of ancient Spartan King Leonidas and touch his feet in order to be awarded with an olive wreath and a sip of water from Evrotas river.


The strict time requirements (finish in fewer than 36 hours) and ground conditions through steep hillsides under heat make Spartathlon one of the most difficult ultra marathons internationally.


According to statistics about a third of the racers make it to the finish line. The historic context and close connection to the Olympic ideals of sportsmanship and friendship make it a unique experience, athletes told Xinhua shortly before taking their positions at the starting point beneath the sacred rock.


Among them were Japanese office employee Yoshiko Matsuda Cheap Marcel Schmelzer Jersey , who has participated and reached the finish line of Spartathlon nine times over the past decade, and her 70-year old compatriot Yoshitaka Nakamba, the oldest runner this year.


"We are here for the challenge," Matsuda told Xinhua.


Nearby Argentinean Martin Miguel Cordoba and his friends were doing their final stretches. An accountant Cheap Marc Bartra Jersey , who runs ultra marathons across the world, has taken part in Spartathlon two times, but never finished. This year he had been training since January.


"Accounting is my way of living, ultra-running is my life Cheap Mahmoud Dahoud Jersey ," he introduced himself. "This is a unique race. I hope this time I'll make it to the finish line."


"This is a world classic race. Humans were definitely born to run," said a smiling Nike Blaimers, a British IT consultant who participates for first time in Spartathlon.


His friend Lindley Chambers, a firefighter Cheap Lukasz Piszczek Jersey , stressed that running such a course is "basically about what you achieve."


Mimi Anderson, a 51-year-old housewife from Britain, one of the 39 women competing this year, has achieved a lot already and continues taking up challenges. She is the only runner who will attempt a double - a two- way run of the Spartathlon race during the weekend Cheap Julian Weigl Jersey , from Athens to Sparta and back, covering some 500 kilometers.

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