Road to Sparta

Road To Sparta Book
Dean Karnazes

Dean Karnazes explores his own Greek ancestry while consulting with the foremost scholars on Ancient Greece to tell the story of the Spartathlon, all while recreating the historic 153-mile run from Athens to Sparta in one of the world’s most impossible feats.

In 490 BCE, Pheidippides ran a similar route in 36 hours to recruit the Spartans into battle against the invading Persians. In doing so, he forever preserved Western culture and gave to us the modern marathon. In recreating the ancient journey, Dean consumed only foods available in 490 BC, such as figs, olives, cured meat, sesame biscuits called ‘itrion’, a sesame/honey paste called ‘pasteli’, and Sea Buckthorn fruits while he trained and prepared in traditional hoplite costume.

Dean signed up for the Spartathlon race in 2014. During training he could cope with his unusual fuel quite well, but during the Spartathlon race everything changed:
“I was supplied along the way by my crew, but by the time I picked up a bag of food in Corinth (about 50 miles in), the once delectable pasteli now tasted like maple syrup mixed with talcum powder, chalky and repulsively sweet, and I could no longer tolerate the stuff like I had during my training runs. I tried gnawing on a piece of cured meat, but it was rubbery and the gristle got stuck between my teeth. I had several figs, which seemed to sit best in my stomach. About 50 miles later, after climbing Mount Parthenion and plummeting some 1,200 feet from the summit, I was eventually deposited in the remote outpost of Sangas, where my crew was waiting for me, asking me if I could eat. I shook my head no, too exhausted to answer. I kept running,” Dean says.

The Road to Sparta offers you a rare glimpse into the mindset and motivation of an extreme athlete. It is sure to captivate and inspire readers whether they run great distances, modest distances, or not at all.

Available online at:
Alibris helps independent sellers to find buyers for over 150M used, new, and out-of-print books, CDs and DVDs through partnerships with leading global media retailers, including Chapters/Indigo (Canada), and Waterstone's (UK).

Connect with Trail Runners Connection

DISCLAIMER: This website includes affiliate links of products and brands that are recommended by the runners community. It generates a small commission to support Trail Runners Connection if you purchase something through these links at no extra cost to you, without affecting our independence, topics or content.
We focus on products and services that contribute to a healthier, happier planet.

Login

User email *
Password *
User email *
Password *
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Last Page

Get listed for the Global Running Adventures Award

Are you an adventure seeking runner who has completed a self made project or is eager to start one?

Submit this 3-minute application to qualify for a FREE profile page, including your bio, achievements, past/upcoming adventure, story and cause.

Wanna give people an opportunity to participate in your exciting running project or expedition-like adventure?
Here's your chance to share it with the world for free!

You qualify for the FREE Profile Page if you meet the following criteria:

  • you have a self supported running project completed, in the making or are planning to start one
  • your project will support a good cause that relates to you personally
  • you need media, sponsors and a network to get all the possible support to succeed
  • you're enthusiastic and motivated to realize your goals! 

Just a few questions to get a better picture;-)
I'll read and respond to each and every application, and I'll get back to you within a few days.

What do you apply for? *
Who do you want to nominate? *
please fill in their name
What is the email of the person you nominate? *
please fill in their email
Fill required fields
Your name *
Your email *
Fill required fields
Stage running journey *
if you nominate someone else fill in for him/her
Fill required fields
Adventure start date *
you can change it later if you're not sure yet
Adventure finish date *
you can change it later if you're not sure yet
Fill required fields
Name of adventure *
you can change it later if you're not sure yet
Adventure description *
give a short description of your adventure idea
Where did/will the adventure take place *
you can change it later if you're not sure yet
Fill required fields
Link to adventure resources
you can fill in your website or any other resource
Why (did) you want to do this? *
give a short description of the reason for your adventure
Link to cause
you can fill in a website of a charity or any other resource
Fill required fields
Are you interested in any of these forms of partnership? *
Get full exposure to your niche for 100+ days, resulting in real long lasting relations and leads.
Do you know anyone who might be interested in partnering?
Please fill in their name and email.
When someone applies you both get a free Award event ticket:-)
Anything else you like to share?
here you can share/ask additional info about the application