About The Spartan Mile
When:
The day after Spartathlon but before lunch with the Mayor of Sparta. Where:
The athletics track behind the statue of King Leonidas, in Sparta. How:
One lap around the 400-meter long course (one simply cannot run a whole mile day after Spartathlon!). Ideally, according to ancient Greek tradition, naked. Qualifying race:
Participated (not necessarily finished) in Spartathlon (http://spartathlon.gr/en) the very day before. Entry fee:
None. Bring beer to make everyone happy. Prices:
Eternal honor. Maybe beer. Historical information:
The idea was born on a bus towards the World Championships in Turin in 2015 ... The Swedish runners Andreas Falk and Johan Steene wanted to find out who was the fastest to run a Swedish “mil” (10 km). "But..." Andreas said "... we have never equally good conditions! There is always one of us who just ran a race and that´s unfair…" A twinkle lit in Johan’s eyes … "Yes... we may never have equally good conditions... but sometimes we have just as bad! Let´s have a duel in Stockholm two weeks after Spartathlon!" Now Annika Nilrud got excited: "YES! I'm coming! I’ll support you guys! This is the event of the year!!"
Six months later, just before Spartathlon, Annika was wondering "Well, what about the “mil” race!? I´ve already booked tickets!"
Johan and Andreas twisted uncomfortably. Didn´t they have to do the laundry or some other necessary chores? And maybe feed the cat? Then Johan said: "Ok... now we´re here after all! We can take it right after Spartathlon - the very day after! "Andreas stared, but Johan continued: "Maybe a “mil” is to far... but how about a mile? There's an athletics track just behind the statue of Leonidas! Everyone can join!" Collective anxiety... a mile the very day after Spartathlon? It felt extremely long! We all decided that after Spartathlon a mile isn´t a mile – then it corresponds to one lap of the athletics track. And, ideally according to ancient Greek tradition – all runners should be naked! Or at least very lightly dressed. A new tradition was born. From that time the anxiety before The Spartan Mile by far exceeded the nervousness before Spartathlon.
