Dean Karnazes says 'The Road To Sparta' captures Spartathlon's uniqueness

Greek-American ultramarathoner Dean Karnazes has no doubt about it: Spartathlon, the 246-kilometer race that traces the footsteps of ancient messenger Pheidippides is uniquely special, and he is happy there is a documentary out that encapsulates the drama, excitement, agony and ecstasy he experienced when he first attempted this run from Athens to Sparta.

"The Road To Sparta", a 60-minute award-winning film that as of October 11 is out on DVD, offers runners who have done this unrivaled annual race a strong souvenir of this unique experience, and to all the rest of us - the uninitiated - a powerful sense of this exceptional battle with one's self that this race constitutes.

"This historic run from Athens to Sparta is the stuff of legend, following the ancient footpath of Pheidippides, the original ultramarathoner," says Karnazes to Kathimerini English Edition, as he...