Spartathlon success in Greece for Harriers athlete

Tullamore Harriers athlete Stephen Murphy completed the Spartathlon ultra marathon in Greece last Saturday.

Covering a staggering distance of almost 246 kilometres (153 miles) in 27 hours and 52 minutes, Stephen conquered one of the toughest ultra-distance races in the world. Participants are given 36 hours to complete the incredibly challenging event.

The iconic race from Athens to Sparta is renowned for its gruelling terrain, including rugged mountain paths, steep climbs and intense heat (up to 40 degrees). It's a combination that can bring athletes to the brink of exhaustion. The distance is almost equivalent to six back to back marathons.

In congratulating Stephen on his achievement, Tullamore Harriers AC said: "Only a select few can even contemplate such a feat, and Stephen’s success in enduring these extreme conditions is a monumental accomplishment."

The 2024 race, which began last Saturday and finished the following day, was won by Fotis Zisimopoulos of Greece with Murphy the 14th male finisher.

The Spartathlon is a historic ultra-distance foot race that takes place in September of every year in Greece. Starting close to the Acropolis of Athens, it is one of the most difficult and satisfying ultra-distance races in the world because of its unique history and background.

The race revives the footsteps of Pheidippides, an ancient Athenian long distance runner who, in 490 BC, before the battle of Marathon, was sent to Sparta to seek help in the war between the Greeks and the Persians. According to the ancient Greek historian Herodotus, Pheidippides arrived in Sparta the day after his departure from Athens.

A member of Tullamore Harriers, Stephen is originally from Ballyragget, Co. Kilkenny, and he is certainly no stranger to amazing feats of endurance.

In June of this year, Murphy smashed the Irish 100-mile record, recording a superb time of 13 hours and 18 minutes, when winning the 24-hour ultra race in Belfast. As part of that event, he covered a total of 99 laps in Victoria Park. Last year, Stephen won the 100-mile ultra marathon in Connemara.