Spartathlon Ultramarathon, Greece

As if running a marathon wasn’t hard enough, masochists can take part in a grueling ultramarathon from Athens to Sparta. The 153-mile course is only for the hardiest of runners and follows the route of Athenian messenger Pheidippides, who ran to Sparta to ask for help in fighting the Persians at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC. It has been held every year since 1983, and the next race will take place Sept. 29–30.

While there are other ultramarathons held around the world, the Spartathlon has a special significance due to its history. Modern runners challenge themselves to match the feat of Pheidippides, who ran between the two cities in 36 hours.

To enter the race you have to have completed a number of long-distance events to prove you have sufficient training. This is not something you sign up for on a whim as it requires months, if not years, of training to reach the required standard.

For most people this means the only way they will experience the Sparathlon is as a spectator, cheering on the ultramarathoners as they trundle past. Luckily, the route covers some beautiful terrain, and the end of September is a good time to visit Greece after the scorching heat of midsummer has subsided.