Athens Marathon the Authentic

 

Map of the Athens Marathon Route and Incline

On our way home from church on Sunday, we altered the route we usually walk and went down one of the busiest streets in our area.  We walked for a mile along the Athen's Marathon path.  It was truly exciting to see runners from all over the world.  More than 70,000 runners from 140 countries ( record number) were registered to run either the classic route or the various other parallel road races hosted that weekend.  20,322 runners registered for the marathon portion. No qualifying time was necessary but you needed to be 18 years old or more. 

The route covers the same ground that the Athenian messenger Filippides ran when he brought the news of victory from the battlefield of Marathon 2,500 years ago.  The finish line is in the Olympic Stadium, named the Kalimarmaro stadium, and the birthplace of the modern Olympic games held in 1896.  

It is also the same course used in 2004 Olympics held in Athens.  Ed win Kiptoo from Kenya was the winner of the 4th Athens Authentic Marathon.  It was a new record of 2 hours, 10 min. and 34 seconds.  

  

There was a band playing Rocky, Chariots of Fire and other inspiring familiar numbers. 

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize?  So run, that ye may obtain.  1 Cor. 9:24  Our lives are lot like marathons.  We are able to run only as good as we have prepared.  Marathons are very grueling as evident in many of the faces that I saw as we watched.  They are also very motivating.  Back in the day, I prepared to run the Moab 1/2.  I knew I needed to be serious because I didn't want to be embarrassed and not able to finish the race.  I was grateful for my friend that I ran with because she kept encouraging me.  I ran behind her for some of the race, just trying to match her pace and stay up with her.  I am glad we don't have to run the marathon of life alone.