The Run That Killed Pheidippides | Athens
One of the many temples in Athens
Rising at 6 AM with ambitions to conquer 15 miles, I quickly recalibrated my expectations by mile 2, the heat and travel fatigue conspiring against my lofty goals. Settling for a respectable 9 miles seemed wise. Navigating along Athena’ arterial lifeline, Greek National Road 83, I later unearthed its historical significance as the original marathon route. You know the fable they feed us about the origins of the marathon: After the outnumbered Greeks repulsed the Persians at Marathon (or Marathonas), Athenian messenger Pheidippides undertook a harrowing 25-mile run to Athena, where he proclaimed triumphantly at the Acropolis, “Nike! Nike! Nenikekiam” (“Victory! Victory! Rejoice, we conquer!”), before meeting an untimely demise. Myth or reality?
Struggling to maintain a modest 9-minute pace amidst the sweltering conditions, thoughts of Pheidippides haunted me. Imagine undertaking such a feat sans modern luxuries like gas stations stocked with ice-cold refreshments—death by sheer exhaustion suddenly seemed plausible. To avert a parallel fate, I wisely tempered my speed. Yet, the path presented additional hurdles; its uneven, crowned sidewalks whispered of potential ankle twists at faster paces. Seeking diversion, I found solace in the stately consulates and embassies flanking the thoroughfare, which I aptly dubbed “Embassy Row.”
Plaka
I passed an array of diplomatic consulates: from the Embassy of Pakistan and the Albanian Embassy in Greece to the Embassy and Consulate of Morocco, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the Embassy of the State of Palestine. Further along, the Royal Thai Embassy appeared, news to me that Thailand was a kingdom. And just around the bend, the Embassy of Israel piqued my interest, showcasing the peaceful coexistence of these diplomatic enclaves amidst bougainvillea-lined serenity, despite their countries’ ongoing discord. The calm and charm left me wishing the same for their respective nations. Drawing nearer to the City Center, the imposing US Embassy loomed, dwarfing its predecessors by a factor of six to ten. Adjacent, the Megaron Athena International Conference Centre awaited, venue for my impending conference.
Fortunate to evade Pheidippides’ fate on this run, I promptly refreshed with a shower and breakfast, primed for a full day of conferencing at the Megaron Athena International Conference Centre, buoyed by the omnipresent cafes that dotted the cityscape.
