The lunacy of the long-distance runner

Every year, a growing number of runners meet in Athens to run all the way down to Sparta. 245 kilometers, almost 6 consecutive marathons, give or take nonstop running, to be completed in under 36 hours (the winner clocks at a cool 26 hours). The Economist has a nice read on the Spartathlon, centered around a British amateur runner who completed the race for the third time last year. Next time, he vows, we’ll come back, but not to run from Athens to Sparta again. But to run from Athens to Sparta – and back.