Pheidippides Challenge

Phedippides has made his final journey across the countryside and into the city of Athens, back to the Assembly at the Acropolis where he shouts "Nike!" ("Victory!") and collapses and dies of exhaustion after his 4-day trek to Sparta and back, fighting at the battle of Marathon, and then sprinting 25 miles back to Athens. Congratulations! You've finished!

In 1879, English poet Robert Browning wrote the poem “Pheidippides” with the following excerpt describing his journey and arrival in Athens:

“Unforeseeing one! Yes, he fought on the Marathon day:
So, when Persia was dust, all cried ‘To Akropolis!
Run, Pheidippides, one race more! the meed is thy due!
“Athens is saved, thank Pan,” go shout!’ He flung down his shield,
Ran like fire once more: and the space ‘twixt the Fennel-field
And Athens was stubble again, a field which a fire runs through,
Till in he broke: ‘Rejoice, we conquer!’ Like wine thro’ clay,
Joy in his blood bursting his heart, he died—the bliss!”

Full text can be found here.