Spartathlon is a 246-kilometre (153 mi) ultramarathon race held annually in Greece since 1983, between Athens and Sparta, the modern town on the site of ancient Sparta. The Spartathlon is based on the run of Pheidippides, an Athenian messenger who travelled from Athens to Sparta before the Battle of Marathon in a day and a half to seek aid against the Persians. Five Royal Air Force officers attempted the course in 1982 and the competition was started the next year.