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News of "Victory" from Athens!
2500 years ago the Athenian messenger Phiedippides ran 42km (26.2 miles) from Marathon to Athens to bring the news of "Victory" over the Persians at the battlefield of Marathon and then sadly, dropped down dead!
Well, there were victories for almost everyone (20,000 people) who ran in Phiedippides footsteps on Sunday 31st October 2010 and fortunately, no casualties (as far as we are aware.) The Athens Marathon, being the original marathon, is like no other on earth. It is run entirely on asphalt. The first 12 kilometres are level. The middle 19 kilometres are long hills and the final 11 kilometres are downhill. The finish line is in the Athens' magnificent Olympic Stadium.
The Trust's Founder, Ann Maxwell ran the Athens' Marathon along with 250 runners from the Marathon of Marathons Charity, born of the private equity and infrastructure communities, who are together attempting to raise €2.5 million for ten carefully chosen children's charities, including the Muir Maxwell Trust and also UNICEF. Each runner has to raise €10,000 and each charity had to put forward a runner.
Not only did Ann successfully complete the Marathon in a time of 4 hours and 55 minutes but she won the Marathon of Marathons award for the most money raised by an individual. Ann's fundraising page is still open at bmycharity.com/annmaxwell and every penny she personally raises over €10,000 will go directly to the Muir Maxwell Trust and at the same time, underwrite a 10% share of the bigger Marathon of Marathons pot!
Of the Athens' Marathon, Ann has said,
"It is truly the most challenging marathon I have ever done and if all accounts are accurate and it is the toughest marathon on earth, then it is most definitely the one to do. This sense of achievement is difficult to surpass!
I am now determined to raise as much money as possible for MMT whilst this moment is still with me. Your support would be gratefully appreciated, no matter how small. Please, please visit my fundraising page and get those credit cards at the ready. Thank you everyone from the bottom of my heart. This cause means everything to me. We must continue to do all that we can to improve the lives of children and their families who are struggling to cope with difficult epilepsy."
