[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by G1911

The tale as we tell it is, sadly, provably an apocryphal later invention. He is in Herodotus, but despite what is usually said the story Herodotus actually tells is much less 'perfected'. I am going off memory, but in the original Herodotian version he is a professional runner who runs to Sparta from Athens in a day or two. On the way, he believes Pan spoke to him and chastised the Athenians for not paying him tribute despite all his help in the war. The runner gives a rousing plea to Sparta when he reaches the city, who are moved by his patriotism, but their religious law don't let them send out their forces until the moon is full, too late. Phillippides/Pheidippides returns to Athens in quick time again to deliver the news of the Spartan forces timeline, and after the war the marathon is established as an annual event in honor of Pan, righting the perceived wrong to the God. Obviously he did not really talk to a God, but all the human events are more believable. The version we know today comes from Lucian centuries later, after the tale has been told and retold and crafted into a perfect story. The Greeks themselves when they were an independent people never believed the tale told today.

Mid-marathon seems to be about the only time it is appropriate to wish whatever-his-name-was had hurried on up and died a little bit sooner

He may not be the greatest track athlete, but I am only half joking in putting him. Even 2,500 years later the primary form the running sport takes in our culture is in testament to his achievement, great speed, and his patriotism. Not many athletes of any kind can match his 'impact' element.

The great thing about distance road racing is that, unless I am missing something, it's the only sport in the world where a completely mediocre schlump can participate in the very same event as the best in the world. I will never forget after the NYC marathon chatting briefly with Frank Shorter (who had finished second and was disgusted with himself LOL). Unique.