He either ran incredibly fast or was way out of shape if he died from it. I'm guessing its a combination of the two. What are your predictions? Justify your time.
I guess 2:45
He either ran incredibly fast or was way out of shape if he died from it. I'm guessing its a combination of the two. What are your predictions? Justify your time.
I guess 2:45
2:03:01
But was it wind aided?
malmo: "Pheidippides never ran a marathon, so all your other arguments are null and void."
my panties are wet
He was juiced.
Probably like 4 hours. He was coming off two days totaling 150 miles, so he was really tired already.
You also have to say what the distance was.
26.2 miles wasn't standard until more than 2000 years later.
Also it was point to point so the time could not count as a record anyway.
toro wrote:
Also it was point to point so the time could not count as a record anyway.
depends on the net elevation drop and distance between each end point
But to answer the OP,
I offer that Jeff Galloway did a study back in the '70's prior to naming his store Pheidippides. That is where his run/ walk concept first appeared. 3:45:01
Phenom Man wrote:
Probably like 4 hours. He was coming off two days totaling 150 miles, so he was really tired already.
And had just fought in a big battle.
A Skeptic wrote:
Phenom Man wrote:Probably like 4 hours. He was coming off two days totaling 150 miles, so he was really tired already.
And had just fought in a big battle.
Yeah, but did he run 99 miles home after finishing his marathon?
el toro wrote:
depends on the net elevation drop and distance between each end point
Obviously the distance between Marathon and Athens is more than what is allowed by the IAAF.
He didnt have the "benefit" of modern training techniques, smart coaches, GUs and gels, HRMs, pom pom girls on the course, bands, gatorade every mile nor a big feed at the finish so he might have actually run a decent time.
Bell Lapper wrote:
He didnt have the "benefit" of modern training techniques, smart coaches, GUs and gels, HRMs, pom pom girls on the course, bands, gatorade every mile nor a big feed at the finish so he might have actually run a decent time.
It's well know that Pheidippides held the Greek national record for the marathon well into the twentieth century.
botway wrote:
malmo: "Pheidippides never ran a marathon, so all your other arguments are null and void."
This is the correct post. The story of Pheidippides running from Marathon to Athens during the Persian wars was made up by a Greek comedian 600 years later.
In Herotodus' authoritative account of the Persian wars, there is no mention of Phidippedes or anyone else being sent to Athnes after battle. What happened was the entire Athenian Army ran back to Athens to defend the city again from the Persians, who escaped to their boats and set sail to Athens attempting to outflank an unprotected city.
Basically the modern day equivalent story of Phidippedes would be for Pauly Shore to write a story about Christopher Columbus and pass it off as fact.
Even worse, for people to actually believe that Pauly Shore's story was historical fact.
malmo wrote:
botway wrote:malmo: "Pheidippides never ran a marathon, so all your other arguments are null and void."
This is the correct post. The story of Pheidippides running from Marathon to Athens during the Persian wars was made up by a Greek comedian 600 years later.
In Herotodus' authoritative account of the Persian wars, there is no mention of Phidippedes or anyone else being sent to Athnes after battle. What happened was the entire Athenian Army ran back to Athens to defend the city again from the Persians, who escaped to their boats and set sail to Athens attempting to outflank an unprotected city.
Basically the modern day equivalent story of Phidippedes would be for Pauly Shore to write a story about Christopher Columbus and pass it off as fact.
Even worse, for people to actually believe that Pauly Shore's story was historical fact.
Um, thanks . . . because this thread was in complete earnest.
Yes, and I'm rolling with the flow ... or to borrow a more contemporary analogy -- blowing with the wind...
Here's my earnest response, laden with historical fact and just a touch of whimsy.
In Herotodus' authoritative account of the Persian Wars in Histories (440 BC), he makes no mention of any messenger by any name making the trek from marathon to Athens to pronounce victory. The only messenger cited anywhere in Histories wa...s Philppides, who was nowhere near the Battle at Marathon. The tale of Pheidippides and his early demise wouldn't come for another 600 years.
The Timeline:
490 BC September Athenian army, badly outnumbered, defeat Persian army at Marathon.
484 BC Herodotus (aptly known as 'the father of history") is born (died 424 BC), would write 'Histories' the authoritative account of the battle of Marathon.
From 'Histories':
Pheidippides purported run from Marathon to Athens is one of the original urban myths. If you re-read Histories you'll find that Pheidippides was nowhere near Marathon at the time. In fact, there is no mention of Pheidippedes in 'Histories' at all.
Philippedes, who was a professional messenger, and was on his regular 145 mile (one way) Athens to Sparta route at the time. Philippedes was sent to Sparta to request help since the Athenians were badly outnumbered by the invading Persian army. The Spartans, being bad-assed-muthas, said "let's rumble", as they always do, but were right in the middle of another bacchanalia. Bacchanals were the Grecian equivalent of tailgating. Being a little hung over from drinking fermented grapes, they warned that they'd be a little late to the battle. The Athenians couldn't wait, and even though badly outnumbered, they still opened up an urn of whoop-ass on the Persian Army. That's the way it happened, 2500 years ago.
Note that there is no mention in 'Histories' of a messenger by ANY name being sent to Athens from Marathon after the Battle.
-----------------------
300 BC The philosopher Pontikos said that Thersippus, a soldier made the trek from Marathon in full armor and died after announcing victory.
600 years after the Battle of Marathon:
100 AD Plutarch wrote in 'Moralia' that it was Eukles made the 25 mile run from Marathon to Athens.
150 AD Finally, satirist Lucianus (basically the Dave Barry of the day) said that Pheidippides made the run from Athens to Marathon. After reaching the city, he said, "Rejoice, we conquer," and then collapsed and died
In summation, the urban legend of Pheidippides demise came 640 years after the battle of Marathon by a Greek comedian. Rim shot.
2:56:30, he was aiming for a Boston qualifier
You guys forget that Marathon-Athens is an uphill course. I think the 2004 Olympic Marathon was meant to recreate it somewhat, but over half of it is uphill, which adds maybe 4 minutes for the modern athlete. Given considerations about fitness and other factors, and given the story is true and not some comedian's tale, it would have to be in excess of four hours.
If there was more drachma on the line, I'm sure some Nubians or Carthaginians would have sailed over and trashed him.